Sophia Hill
Deb Never has released her first single of the new year. ‘Someone Else’ was written and recorded after booking a one-way ticket to London, the LA-based artist consequently spent four months in the capital. With hazy guitar riffs and an idle beat to start, the tune builds into an increasingly stirring record, while remaining somewhat ethereal.
From cruising around on Boris Bikes and almost getting mugged; Deb really got the full-London experience. Yet through it all she has been able to gain inspiration from the spirited city and its abundance of creativity. In a recent instagram post she said to have “made a shit ton of music that I wanna share w u” during her stint in London.
‘Someone Else’ produced by Jam City (Kelela, Bad Gyal, Troye Sivan) and Michael Percy, is only a glimpse of what we are to hear from Deb’s time in the capital. The tune is a step-away from her usual angsty grunge sound as it takes on a more soulful approach; the kind of track that makes you want to take a long road-trip to nowhere. Visuals for the new single were directed by Elif Gönen, shot on a typically drizzly English day.
The singer and composer has also spent the year raising money for front-line workers, and all the while persisting with her creative efforts. In May last year she independently released Intermission EP - a collection of songs assembled during her time in lockdown in LA. 2020 also saw Deb team up with Kenny Beats as they paid homage to Stone Cold Steve Austin in popular track ‘Stone Cold’, the project incorporates her array of influences from growing up in the Pacific NorthWest, such as 90s hip hop and grunge. She has already collaborated with the likes of Brockhampton and Dominic Fike; and is set to feature on the forthcoming Slowthai album Tyrone.
Deb is clearly someone who likes to make the most out of life. Despite her alt-emo style, her videos exude something reminiscent of a child-like joy, she is a breath of fresh air in light of recent events. The more we hear from Deb the more her talent shines through, with her delicate, melancholic ballads and a clear aptitude in guitar to boot.
Listen to 'Someone Else' here.