Atlanta native Tristan has shared his debut EP, titled ‘Nomad’. The 21 year-old artist began playing drums at the age of 8, and by the end of high school had already dived head first into producing and recording. After dropping out of college and moving to Los Angeles in August 2021, he became the tour drummer for BabyJake, and started releasing music under his own name as a solo project. After the release of his first three well-received singles, Tristan has now released his debut EP, Nomad, a refreshing, infectious set of 6 tracks that blend influences from alt-pop, indie, electronic, and more.
The project opens with lead single “She”, an energizing track that remains nimble throughout with brisk guitar riffs that conjure the feeling of waking up to a new morning. As infectious bass drops in beneath, Tristan begins his verses with airy vocals filled with catchy melodies that enhance the song’s vital feel. This track transitions seamlessly into “Bring You”, which slows down the pace with expansive production centred around grand, airy synths and engaging guitars. As driving percussion locks in beneath, the song builds in an immersive manner, eventually culminating in a cathartic outro that makes for a powerful culmination.
“The City”, a favorite from the EP, brings in rich guitars and crisp percussion as Tristan delivers focused melodies over top. Drawing influence from indie, alt-pop, and hip-hop, this track showcases his versatility while conveying an intriguing sense of longing. “Reckless” brings back the expansive sound of the EP’s earlier tracks with dream-like keys and sweeping synths. Lastly, “Tape” closes out the project on a high note, with a surreal and emotive sound palette that enhances Tristan’s for powerful and sharply-crafted lyricism. “Tape” makes for a poignant closer, tying together many of the sounds heard earlier in the project neatly into a cohesive 4-minute run time.
The latest from Los Angeles-based artist Tristan, Nomad engagingly blends influences from alt-pop, rock, alternative R&B, and more, and has us interested in what he may drop next. Considering this is just his first EP, he already shows poise and focus as a songwriter and demonstrates an astute ability to blend genres together in a refreshing manner.