Tom Misch, the London-based singer-songwriter and producer, is preparing to release his second solo album, Full Circle, on March 27th, marking a significant return to music following a period of intense self-reflection and a public withdrawal from touring in 2022.
Misch rose to prominence with his 2018 debut album, Geography, which charted at number eight in the UK. His collaborative record with jazz drummer Yussef Dayes, What Kinda Music, released in 2020, reached number four in the UK charts and earned them both an Ivor Novello award nomination. The success of these albums, coupled with the viral attention garnered from his live “Quarantine Sessions” during the Covid-19 lockdowns, propelled Misch to larger stages in the US and Brazil, with a planned Australian tour on the horizon.
However, in July 2022, Misch abruptly cancelled the Australian tour, citing a decline in his mental health. “I had an intense year of touring and I wasn’t feeling good, I wasn’t enjoying it any more,” he explained. “My mental health was getting worse and I was so anxious I had to cancel the Australia tour. I was forced to stop, really and I had no plan for what would happen next.” He subsequently retreated from public life, returning to his family home in south-east London and pausing his musical activities.
Four years later, Misch describes himself as feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Full Circle represents a deliberate departure from the electronic and funk-influenced sound of his earlier work. The album features 11 tracks characterized by warm, full-band compositions and a strong influence from 1970s singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and JJ Cale. Highlights include the country-tinged “Sisters With Me,” the introspective “Running Away,” and the saxophone-infused “Days of Us.”
Lyrically, Misch delves into personal themes of aging, family, vulnerability, and future aspirations. “I’ve wanted to do a record like this for a long time; something that feels classic and invested in songwriting rather than focusing more on melody and chords,” Misch said. “It’s a incredibly vulnerable record that arose out of this period of introspection and existential questioning. I’ve been releasing music since I was 17 and this album was born from me wanting to locate out who Tom Misch was outside of the music.”
Misch’s musical journey began in a creative household, influenced by artists like John Mayer and pianist Robert Glasper. He initially gained traction by uploading songs to SoundCloud while studying music technology. Early success came in 2013 with the track “Follow,” featuring his sister Laura, which was picked up by the YouTube music channel Majestic Casual. He followed this with two “Beat Tape” mixtapes, blending hip-hop influences with Mayer-esque melodies.
Despite achieving commercial success with Geography, Misch found the increased attention and scrutiny challenging. While receiving positive feedback and co-signs from artists like John Mayer and Eric Clapton – who invited him to perform at the Crossroads festival – he also faced criticism. Reviewers, including Jonah Bromwich of Pitchfork, described his sound as lacking “frisson” and characterized by “flat musical minimalism,” while Daniel Dylan Wray of The Guardian suggested his grooves could be “anaesthetising.”
The pressures of touring and maintaining a public persona ultimately led to his 2022 breakdown. “You have booking agents and each time you sell out a place they want you to book bigger venues, and at a certain point things acquire big enough and you stop enjoying them,” he explained. “I love connecting with people, playing my guitar and jamming with the band but touring can be exhausting.”
Following his decision to step away, Misch pursued alternative experiences, including a surfing instructor course in Cornwall and various temporary jobs, such as gardening and barista work. He also expressed interest in pursuing employment with the Royal Mail for a few days a week, seeking a more grounded routine outside of music. This period of exploration informed the creative process behind Full Circle.
Misch has since embraced a more collaborative approach to music-making, working with songwriters Ian Fitchuk in Nashville and Matt Maltese in the UK. He has also launched initiatives like Wildflower, an annual songwriting retreat for emerging talent, receiving 500 submissions this year. He is also performing under the alias Supershy, exploring dance music.
Misch and singer Joel Culpepper have been performing unannounced shows at open-mic nights in Oxford, Bristol and Cardiff. A limited tour is planned to support the release of Full Circle, focusing on smaller venues. “I’m in a really good place right now,” Misch said. “I’m only thinking: what do I sense like doing this year and what’s going to be the most fun?”
