You know what? This next guy might be the best thing that has happened to the music world in a long time. So you can forget Sam Smith and co. now. Huge stuff. And it’s not even my thing.

As stated on many occasions before – my soul is many things. Let’s put the emphasis on rock. Perhaps a little bit of indie. So you may wonder what’s been going on here.. And let me tell you I’ve been asking myself the same question.

The North London born began his songwriting adventure at the age of 14. Three years later he signed his first record deal. He didn’t need anyone’s help to teach himself how to play a few instruments. He’s already worked with producers such as Gorgon City [the track Unmissable got him the first Top 20 last Oct], Wookie and teamed up with Joker on his debut Joker Presents EP. Oh and not to mention touring with Bondax and playing as the main support for Kwabs on his UK tour. As you can see Zak Abel, now entering only his twenties, has just been getting started. Doing quite alright, aren’t we?

Representing “modern soul” [as described by the young artist himself] with a raw and husky vocals Zak Abel is definitely a precious gift and brilliant addition to the current music scene. This British lad released the video for the stripped back version of his song Deserve To Be Loved last week which you can watch below. Talking to The Independent Abel made a comment about the track:

For various reasons I grew up with a distorted view of love and self-esteem, and that lends itself to whether you feel worthy of love. For a long time I didn’t think I was worthy, and that can make you feel very alone in the world. And that’s how I was feeling that day when I went into the studio to write.

Just a couple of days after dropping the video Zak Abel played the sold out show at the Notting Hill Arts Club in London. I can’t remember seeing so many people in such a small room! Plus, someone forgot to turn the air conditioning on.. Well, that was interesting. But the energy was amazing! And the surprise guest aka Tom Misch even joined the band for a song. The crowd was singing along, which always makes my soul happy, and you could feel that all the people squeezed in that narrow space came there to experience something good. To listen to some extraordinary tunes. To just feel better for a little moment. And they got exactly that. If not even more.

Yet again I must say that I prefer much better small venues and intimate shows.

Cheers Zak, this one was pretty cool!

Zak Abel’s One Hand On The Future EP was released in August this year so make sure you’ll get it. Meanwhile, check some pictures from the mentioned above sold out gig.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5mPKtgVzk