// Trigger Warning: Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety.

During the current COVID 19 pandemic, loneliness has started to settle in. Additionally to that, depression and anxiety. A lot of times when stuff like that starts to settle in, we have to find our own ways of coping, because everyone is different. For me, and for a lot of people (especially artists) – music is the coping method. Music is how we find relief, feel a sense of hope and strength, but most importantly – music gives us the chance to feel many emotions at once.

Up and coming artist, Zachary Knowles has really amazed us since we were introduced to him in 2018. Over the last few years, Zachary has been sharing with his audience amazing tracks that are high quality, easy to get addicted to, etc. Finding a soft spot in our hearts, Zachary is back with his debut album, tendency to be a loner, which showcases absolutely beautiful artistry.

tendency to be a loner was produced by Del Water Gap and Dylan Bauld (Halsey, The Neighborhood). Following the previously released singles “stranger to me,” “tendency to be a loner ” — co-written with Ashe, co-produced by Alexander23 — “dancing in the kitchen,” “carpool,” and “johnny & june” — co-produced by X Lovers, the experience of the album is finally here in full form — showing the range and depth of emotion from the innermost world of Knowles. 

“This album is about my introverted nature. I wanted to capture what my day-to-day looks like as far as emotions go. Most days, I just wanna be by myself. I’ll say no to things I know I’d have fun doing, just because that’s what feels normal to me. Other days though, I’ll go out, hang with people, etc, and I’ll have fun. I wanted the flow of this album to feel like the flow of my emotions. Some days I wanna be alone and some days I wanna get out. This album represents the highs and lows of that struggle, and hopefully, it connects with people who feel the same way.” – Zachary explains.

The thing about Zachary is, he’s not afraid to be vulnerable and tell his story through his music & everytime he taps into the vulnerability, he does it so beautifully and so effortlessly. tendency to be a loner is a project I will let speak for itself. However, what I will say is, tendency to be a loner showcases Zachary’s beautiful artistry and allows the lister to feel like they aren’t alone and that they can get through what they are going through & still chase their dreams.

Little by little:

The atmosphere in “dancing in the kitchen” feels like such a relief and a change of pace, compared to the last single from Knowles, “carpool,” which was all about yearning for his love to be next to him and the pain of distance that turns to a need for escape and daydreaming. The “carpool” music video opens with Knowles sitting in front of his car underneath a street light, looking lonely, as lyrics flash across the screen that hit extra hard, like “only so many songs I can sing by myself,” as the sorrow in his heart is written all over his face. 

Knowles’ single, “johnny & june,” arrived in February, just before Valentine’s Day, along with a music video steeped in mystery, nostalgia and most importantly: love. The Texas-based singer, songwriter and performer calls back to one of the most famous love stories in music, that of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The accompanying music video by TJ Hoover and Jonah George takes the song to an innocent setting that many can trace first love moments back to: high school. The viewer never sees the face of this could-be June, and yet they see so deeply into the soulful eyes of this potential Johnny. A live performance of “johnny & june” is also streaming now. 

his proclivity to introspective and introverted thinking was introduced in the album’s title track “tendency to be a loner,” which recently arrived with a lyric video. An introvert anthem, Knowles sings “I’ve got you / That’s all I need / I got a tendency to be a loner / let’s go be alone together.”

Previously released single, “dancing in the kitchen,” now has an acoustic version streaming everywhere now, as well as a live performance video. The song is all about being lazy and wasting the day away with someone you love and adore spending time with. It marks the moment when you know you’re with the right person because it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s together. Trips and pre-planned adventures just seem like extra effort to get to the same feeling of bliss that can be created at home, dancing in the kitchen. It creates the mood for “tendency to be a loner” and that vision of being alone together really gets rooted in warm, loving energy. 

The official music video for “dancing in the kitchen” is just as cozy as the cotton socks that Zachary Knowles wears as he spins around on the hardwood floor and plays guitar on the kitchen counter. A soft smile sits between his cheeks and his eyes sparkle through the holes of the Connect Four board game that he’s playing with his lover, who must be holding the camera. He cooks up a bacon and egg breakfast, picks lemons from the tree in the yard, and hangs out in his comfy sweater as he sings, “Let’s put the stress to the side / You and I, we can have a good time.” No phones in sight; just Knowles’ warm energy and chill vibes.

There are a few other tracks on the album, including a few new ones hat honestly are extremely hard to put into words how beautiful they are. We’ll leave you with a few things to note: Zachary Knowles is one of the most talented artists coming up. He embodies everything that an artist is. Whether it’s his beautiful vocals, or the production behind them.. Zachary is someone that has an artistry that isn’t going to be forgotten. His music, style, everything about him is unique.

His debut album, tendency to be a loner is out now on all of your favorite platforms. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check Zachary out on TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Twitter  and his Website.