When Spencer. dropped out of college, he gave himself a year to get his career off the ground. “My parents were understandably upset when I left school,” he says, “but I promised them I’d go back if things didn’t work out.” Less than twelve months later, he’d racked up millions of streams on Spotify, garnered glowing reviews on both sides of the Atlantic, and signed a record deal with indie powerhouse 4AD. “I don’t think I’m going back,” he says with a laugh.
Read more
Hailed by Fader for his “sweet and soulful” songwriting and “warm-toned” voice and by Pigeons & Planes as an “old soul with a timeless sound”, Spencer. makes the kind of music that defies easy categorization. Take a listen to the twenty-year-old’s intoxicating new single, 'Automatic', and you’ll hear the full depth and breadth of his range: there’s R&B in his velvety vocals, hip-hop in his off-kilter beats, funk in his effervescent basslines, and moody indie rock in his reverb-soaked guitar. His influences are eclectic to match, with everyone from Miles Davis to Thundercat getting a nod, and he writes, records, and produces nearly every element of his music himself. The result is a bold, emotionally riveting sound, one that’s steeped equally in alternative and pop, organic and digital, past and present.
A Rochester native who credits the city’s rich and underappreciated creative scene for fostering his growth as an artist, Spencer. first gained international attention when his debut single, 'To Be You,' took off like wildfire on Soundcloud. In 2018, Spencer. relocated to Brooklyn and released another viral hit, 'Want U Back,' which prompted The Line of Best Fit to proclaim him “a prodigious talent” and “one of this year’s most promising prospects.” The track amassed over one million plays in its first three weeks on Spotify alone, and it was picked up for airplay by Beats 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra among others.
'Automatic' marks Spencer.’s first release for 4AD and previews a forthcoming project.
