It’s rare to discover a track that invokes nothing but good vibes in the world of alt hip-hop, but Southwest London singer-songwriter/rapper Emil James has captured the pure essence of sunshine in his latest single Mend.

As the front man of bands Odyssea and Bainbridge and Co, Emil James’ independent discography is short but sumptuously sweet. An outspoken believer that energy and lyricism have become a forgotten art today, his work oozes with vitality and heart. Mend may have a feel-good acoustic backdrop, but James does not let this takeaway from his customarily profound lyrics, discussing the generationally relatable issue of overthinking during the process of healing. 

Defining Emil James stylistically is challenging due to his varied sources of inspiration, but this makes him a unique character in the alt hip hop scene. With a multitude of drops coming this year, Emil James is an artist to watch, and his single Mend belongs on every summer playlist.