The Naked And Famous Co-Founder Thomas Powers Begins New Chapter with Debut Solo Album A Tyrant Crying In Private
The Naked And Famous Co-Founder Thomas Powers Begins New Chapter with Debut Solo Album A Tyrant Crying In Private
May 17th, 2024
“Powers has created such a beautiful collection of songs, a ‘headphones record’ in its purest sense, which benefits from the lights dimmed low. An unexpected turn, but a welcome one”
Celebrated NZ-born, LA-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, engineer and producer, Thomas Powers, has today released his highly-anticipated debut album, A Tyrant Crying In Private.
The co-founding member of The Naked And Famous is a force to be reckoned with in his own right on A Tyrant Crying In Private – an impeccable 14-track body of work, which effortlessly traverses alternative, electronic, and neo-classical genres. The album’s seamless transition from introspective lyricism to expansive soundscapes leaves the listener wondering if they’ve walked out of a film.
“This record is a new chapter,” says Thomas. “It’s a vessel for my most personal artistic ideas – a path forward.”
A Tyrant Crying In Private comprises a string of singles, which Thomas began dropping last year, including ‘Half Pirouette’, ‘Best For You’, ‘Sleep and/or Rest)’ and also boasts an impressive cast of collaborators, such as Julien Baker (boygenius), who features on ‘Empty Voices’ and the album’s new single ‘Little Lungs’ alongside musician, arranger and composer Rob Moose.
“‘Little Lungs’ is the sequel to ‘Empty Voices’, which is an insular song about being mentally consumed by conflict, whereas ‘Little Lungs’ is about being far enough away from altercations to find perspective and peace. It’s a reflective song, capturing the feeling of looking backward and viewing something with quiet introspection.”
Fellow NZ-born, LA-based artist Chelsea Jade also teams up with Thomas on the tracks ‘Li’ and ‘The Big Feel’, with US indie-rock duo Now, Now featuring on ‘Permanent Holiday’.
Crafted amidst the pandemic, A Tyrant Crying In Private explores themes of embracing domesticity, maturity, and responsibility. “While my 20s were defined by my career with The Naked And Famous, my solo project represents a musical reinvention – it’s authentically me,” explains Thomas.
The album, which was written and recorded in Thomas’ Los Angeles home, marks a creative shift for Thomas who was catapulted into the spotlight with one of New Zealand’s most successful music exports, The Naked and Famous, thanks to hits like ‘Young Blood’ and ‘Punching In A Dream’.
While TNAF was very much an authentic artistic endeavour, Thomas describes his work on A Tyrant Crying In Private as “unapologetically me”.
Thomas Powers – A Tyrant Crying In Private – out now.
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