Singer-songwriter Zak Abel had an early start, writing songs and uploading videos to YouTube at age14. Shortly thereafter, he signed a record deal with Atlantic; he subsequently moved to BMG. So far, he’s released an EP with producer Joker and his debut solo project, One Hand on the Future, on which he collaborated with Tom Misch and Kaytranada. His debut album, Only When We’re Naked, arrived in 2017.

The set propelled him into the pop sphere and led to Abel’s penning hits for the likes of Kygo, the late Avicii, R3hab and ZAYN, Paloma Faith and John Legend. Felix Howard, who is director of A&R (New Recordings) at BMG U.K., tells us Abel is entering a new musical era, “with a more mature, considered sound to bring to his dedicated audience, who have waited patiently for new music.”

Howard explains that alongside his “honest, soulful music” and open discourse around topics close to his heart, like mental health and veganism, Abel’s ability to connect with his audience is what makes him special. “Zak’s fan base continually engages with him through his social media,” he points out. “Over the pandemic, they formed the self-named Zak Pack, loyally tuned in to his weekly Instagram Lives and got to know him through this medium in a way that has translated into their dedication at his shows.”

Next year will be an exciting and pivotal year for Abel, says Howard, with new global tour dates, a second album pending and some big features. “The sky’s the limit, as an older and wiser but timeless-sounding Zak Abel returns with new music,” he says. “We hope to keep growing his profile throughout the global market, both through music and social media, which should bring with it greater engagement with fans across the world.”

STATS

2.7m monthly Spotify listeners

95k followers on Instagram

30k+ followers on TikTok

Sold out KOKO show in London, May 2022

TEAM

Management: Danielle Livesey, Jessica Crabbe, Jack Pentol Levy

Label: BMG, Felix Howard

Live: Cameron Kaiser, CAA

Publishing: David Ventura and Sarah Gabrielli, Sony Music Publishing