Zach Templar began releasing singles in 2020 while still in his early teens, with his forthcoming debut EP In Waves serving as a statement largely chronicling his life as it’s evolved over the past five years. These five tracks look forward nearly as much as they look back, with the British-Colombian songwriter’s hazy pop soundscapes feeling equally torn between the sounds of his favorite artists growing up and something entirely new.
As Templar explains in his breakdown of the EP’s influences, he was inspired both by the atmospheric production of Radiohead and Templar’s UK rap contemporary Saam Sultan and the nostalgia he feels upon listening to some of his favorite tunes growing up by Jai Paul and Prince. Additionally, in making the decision to lean further into R&B on In Waves, artists like Miguel and Tyler, the Creator’s Flower Boy era also helped him define his sound. Naturally, Frank Ocean also crept up as a constant reference point, given that his music happens to fall at the center of the Venn diagram of atmospheric R&B and nostalgic vibing.
With the EP out this Friday, take a deeper look at more of Templar’s influences below. You can pre-save In Waves here.
Frank Ocean, “White Ferrari”
I used to listen to this song so much while on my way to school when I was younger. I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, and it resonated with the theme of nostalgia that I’ve been thinking about quite a lot lately.
Miguel feat. J. Cole, “All I Want Is You”
While writing these new songs I wanted to take a further step into my R&B bag, and was inspired by Miguel. I’ve been listening to a lot of him the past few months and, sonically, the raw drums on this song definitely influenced my EP.
Prince, “Purple Rain”
Being my mum’s favourite song (as well as mine), it was bound to be on this list. I’ve always adored the woozy chorus of the guitar in this track—the tension it builds and then releases, I think, is the best anyone has ever done it.
Tyler, the Creator feat. Kali Uchis, “See You Again”
The strings and the production in this song—not to mention the complete album [Flower Boy]—are phenomenal. That composition and lushness definitely took a toll on my influence over this project, specifically my writing of the track “Wild Flower.”
Saam Sultan, “Bleed From Me”
The atmospheric production in this song—and Sultan’s discography, in general—has really inspired the way I approach production. In relation to this EP, I could really feel it on a track like “I Don’t Wanna Fight Anymore.”
Jai Paul, “Vibin’”
The way in which Jai Paul uses space in his music is just beautiful. I love the chorus guitars/chords in this one, specifically. I used to also listen to a lot of Jai Paul when I was younger, so I think it’s fitting to mention.
Brent Faiyaz feat. Tyler, the Creator, “Gravity”
This song reminds me of a period of my life when I first started really making music, as well as a time period in which I wrote a lot of my recent tracks. Sonically, those pitch-shifted vocals have also led to me experimenting with my own.
Current Joys, “Symphonia IX”
“Symphonia IX” takes me back to when I was younger—it’s a song that vividly represents childhood for me in that it reminds me of being a kid with a lot less to worry about. My song “Waves” was inspired by “Symphonia IX”; their use of slightly distorted chorus and hazy guitars makes me feel something.
Radiohead, “Motion Picture Soundtrack”
Like some of the other selections here, this song gives me a deep sense of nostalgia. Specifically, though, the type of nostalgia that makes you sad as you look back on everything.
Frank Ocean, “DHL”
The use of synths on this song and the vocal effects are such a source of inspiration. The way Frank effortlessly flows over this beat and the lyricism is simply the best.
