Zachary, a 27-year-old musician from Guildford, UK, has been building a catalog of work since 2021, combining deep lyricism with a melodic ear and production that flits across genres. With some 200 demos in his pocket to show for his efforts, Zachary has made himself a prolific and flexible artist. From Spain's *Rolling Stone* to Bay FM, and even into the esteemed playlists of sync companies such as YTINIFNI Pictures and Relva Music, Zachary's music has reached those who embrace songs as sincere as they are crafted.
Zachary's latest release is a slight turn into introspection: "Fathers," now with its seventh single and twelfth track overall, is a touchingly folk-influenced track, like a letter to fathers everywhere.
At a basic level, "Fathers" is very much stripped down once again, but this time, it lends itself to evoking an emotion behind the mix. Leaning on plugged-in acoustic guitars, easy-to-follow keyboards, and vocals that don't shy away from delivering the track's emotional weight, the production remains minimalist. The acoustic guitar is at the heart of it—not overcomplicated but giving steady and consistent rhythm and warm, loose sounds that embrace the listener. A nice little interaction builds up, wherein the strumming patterns play against the soft chord progressions of the keyboards, managing to create a completely spacious atmosphere.
However, what stood out the most in this production was the restraint. Unlike many folk-inspired contemporary songs, which drown in layers of reverb and overblown crescendos, "Fathers" opts for lucidity and simple lines.
The tempo sets a bit of a calm, almost meditative approach, knowing the pace to develop without urging towards some level of ear-piercing climax. It's an invitation for the listener to sit with the emotions, the thought of their fatherhood, or their very own relationship with their father. The production choices are, in effect, clean, simple, and without unnecessary flourishes, akin to the song's thematic core: the beauty of simplicity and the deep life hidden in commonplace moments.
For fathers, sons who think about their relationship with their fathers, and anyone mourning the absence of that connection, "Fathers" is a different kind of balm.
Importantly, Zachary has made it clear that this release is a slight diversion from the more direct path he intends to take. While he has promised his fans that he'll steer more towards rock shortly, "Fathers," as he has said, just had to be released, and it's not hard to see why.
“Fathers” is, in every way, worth your while, whether you're an old fan or a new visitor to Zachary's work. Put on your headphones, find a minute alone, and let "Fathers" wash over you.