If Misch seems surprised, it’s because his fanbase has developed naturally. He never set out with any grand plan when he began making beats, and uploading roughly three tracks a week to Soundcloud at 16. “ I prefer a more organic approach to making music, but also to building a fanbase,” he reflects. “I don’t want a big push on my music as I don’t want to be as big as possible.” And yet, he’s rapidly become one of the U.K.’s most exciting emerging new artists, gaining 1.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify and playing a sold-out tour of the U.K., U.S. and Europe in 2016. Collaborating with a clutch of fellow trailblazers like Novelist, Loyle Carner, and Zak Abel, he’s accumulated a total of 75 million streams across all platforms to date — and it all started in his bedroom.
Misch’s earliest introduction to music came via his artistic family, including his psychiatrist father, a passionate violinist, who would take him to concerts and the opera as a child. He sang in a choir at school, and picked up the violin himself at the age of four. When one of his older sisters took up guitar and later abandoned it, nine-year-old Misch inherited the instrument, and taught himself to play Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Nirvana songs. Today, he also plays bass, banjo, and a smattering of keys.
It was one of his sister’s boyfriends who introduced him to the music of J Dilla at 15, and from then on, Misch was hooked. He took up Music Technology at school the following year, and began learning how to create his own “really chilled out, boom-bap kind of ‘90s hip-hop” on Logic Pro. “When I wasn’t at school, I’d be making beats,” he says. “It was just what I did.” As he began sharing his tunes on Soundcloud, he found the response was overwhelming. “You put songs out and you build a fanbase — it’s kind of addictive.”
A collaboration with his sister Laura, on the jazz-inflected “Follow,” was a major turning point for both siblings after it was uploaded to influencer YouTube channel Majestic Casual. The track features Laura on sax and Tom on beats and vocals, intertwined to mesmeric effect. “That was the point where I was like, okay, maybe I could do this as a career,” Misch reflects. “Suddenly it had 100,000 plays.” Shortly afterward, Soulection co-founder Joe Kay commented on one of Misch’s productions on Soundcloud, asking the teenage prodigy to guest on his radio show.
Soon afterward, in 2014, Misch contributed to Soulection’s White Label series, weaving together obscure jazz samples, guitar, and vocals to create the perfect summer listen (including the dreamy fan favourite “The Journey”). His Beat Tape series collected the best of his hip-hop instrumentals, the 5 Day Mischon project featured collaborations with grime MC Novelist and singer-songwriter Zak Abel, and his 2016 Reverie EP brought the official release of Misch’s most sophisticated songs to date. As well as soulful singers Carmody and Jordan Rakei, he struck up a collaborative relationship with fellow south Londoner Loyle Carner, whose mellow bars flow over Misch’s productions like a breeze on a hot day. Both artists form part of the much-hyped scene of singer-songwriters emerging from south east London, including King Krule and Cosmo Pyke. Each has a DIY mindset and a brooding, poetic approach to lyricism that weaves them loosely together. “There’s definitely a certain sound,” reflects Misch. “Everyone’s music in south London is really chilled. It reflects the vibe of this part of London — it’s laid back.”
Misch has lived in south London all his life, and he loves it so much that his new single, “South of the River,” is dedicated to it. “I much prefer the general vibe of south London,” he says. “I love this area, Peckham, Dulwich, Forest Hill. Singing that line — You should come south of the river — it just felt really good.” With its string arrangements mirroring disco synth stabs and a funky bassline, it’s an irresistible bop that nods clearly to Misch’s danceable new direction.
One of the biggest influences on Misch’s sound has long been jazz. With a degree in jazz guitar, Misch is an avid listener of Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, Cory Henry, and jazz-influenced songwriters like D’Angelo and Erykah Badu. “It’s kind of a warm feeling, when you hear a certain chord progression,” he explains.
In the making of his debut album, he’s also been drawing on inspiration from disco, house, and techno, discovered through the portal of producers like Kaytranada and Motor City Drum Ensemble. The euphoric feel of 1970s and ‘80s disco (think Earth Wind and Fire or Gwen McCrae), and the thump of nightclubs like Fabric or Corsica, inspired him to bring more movement into his songs. “I want people to dance at my live shows, I want to bring more energy,” he says. “When you’re in a club and you can feel the bass...I want people to have that experience.”
Misch’s sound is true to its roots — he still makes his tracks in the same bedroom studio in his parents’ house, and his mum produces his artwork. (“ Her work is very DIY, just like my music, and feels homespun,” he explains.) But he’s never afraid to explore new territory. “I think it’s really important to make music that hasn’t been made before,” he says. “I’m trying to work out what my sound is, and pursuing that.” Fans might think they know his style, but Misch is a restless experimentalist, keen to spend endless hours honing his craft. One of his favorite new songs is a “Brazilian-sounding” jam that reflects how deeply he feels about his work. As he puts it: “It’s about how you can’t take away my love for music. I’ll always have that.”
Your Love
Tom Misch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you want it, then I'm down
Hear me now, we bless the sound
Feeling right, so hold tight
You and I darling, it's so fine
Feeling right, you can't deny
Your love is, your love it's mine, mine, mine
Take a look out for you, the sunshine
Still floating high, we sway at night
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Hear me now, I'm sober out
If you want it, then I'm down
Hear me now, we bless the sound
Feeling right, so hold tight
You and I darling, it's so fine
Feeling right, you can't deny
Your love is, your love it's mine, mine, mine
Never letting go, let's purify
Take a look out for you, the sunshine
Still floating high, we sway at night
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
The lyrics of Tom Misch's song "Your Love" featuring Alexa Harley poetically describe the euphoric feeling of being in love. The first verse refers to the singer being "sober out," which may mean they were previously under the influence of drugs or alcohol and are now lucid enough to fully appreciate and express their feelings. The singer offers their love freely to their partner, proclaiming that if they want it, the singer is ready and willing to give it to them. The lines "we bless the sound" and "feeling right, so hold tight" suggest that the couple may be dancing or enjoying music together, which is further emphasized by the phrase "sway at night" later in the song.
The chorus repeats the core sentiment of the song, that the partner's love belongs to the singer and is something they never want to let go of. The lines "let's purify" and "take a look out for you, the sunshine" may indicate a desire to maintain the purity and positivity of the relationship, and to prioritize each other's well-being. The repetition of "your love is mine" reinforces the idea that the singer views their partner's love as a precious possession that they hold onto tightly.
Overall, "Your Love" conveys the joy and ecstasy of being in love, and the desire to hold onto that feeling forever. The lyrics are simple but emotionally resonant, evoking the thrill of dancing with someone you love and the sense of security that comes from feeling truly connected to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me now, I'm sober out
Listen to me now, I am speaking truthfully without any clouded judgment from alcohol or drugs
If you want it, then I'm down
If you are interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with me, then I am open to it
Hear me now, we bless the sound
Listen to the music we are making together, it is beautiful and holy
Feeling right, so hold tight
We are experiencing a positive emotion, so hold onto that feeling tightly
You and I darling, it's so fine
We are in a good place in our relationship, everything is going smoothly and sweetly between us
Feeling right, you can't deny
The positive emotion that we are feeling is undeniable
Your love is, your love it's mine, mine, mine
I am claiming your love for myself, it belongs to me and only me
Never letting go, let's purify
We will not let go of each other, let's cleanse ourselves of any negative energy that may arise
Take a look out for you, the sunshine
I will keep an eye out for you and protect you, you are like the sunshine to me
Still floating high, we sway at night
We are still feeling the positive emotions we felt earlier and we are swaying together at night
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
I am still claiming your love for myself, it belongs to me and only me
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
I am still claiming your love for myself, it belongs to me and only me
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
I am still claiming your love for myself, it belongs to me and only me
Hear me now, I'm sober out
Listen to me now, I am speaking truthfully without any clouded judgment from alcohol or drugs
If you want it, then I'm down
If you are interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with me, then I am open to it
Hear me now, we bless the sound
Listen to the music we are making together, it is beautiful and holy
Feeling right, so hold tight
We are experiencing a positive emotion, so hold onto that feeling tightly
You and I darling, it's so fine
We are in a good place in our relationship, everything is going smoothly and sweetly between us
Feeling right, you can't deny
The positive emotion that we are feeling is undeniable
Your love is, your love it's mine, mine, mine
I am claiming your love for myself, it belongs to me and only me
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bosslady2666
Hear me now, I'm sober out
If you want it, then I'm down
Hear me now, we bless the sound
Feeling right, so hold tight
You and I darling, it's so fine
Feeling right, you can't deny
Your love is, your love it's mine, mine, mine
Never letting go, let's purify
Take a look out for you, the sunshine
Still floating high, we sway at night
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Hear me now, I'm sober out
If you want it, then I'm down
Hear me now, we bless the sound
Feeling right, so hold tight
You and I darling, it's so fine
Feeling right, you can't deny
Your love is, your love it's mine, mine, mine
Never letting go, let's purify
Take a look out for you, the sunshine
Still floating high, we sway at night
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
Your love is, your love is mine, mine, mine
@alsandinomusic293
[Verse 1]
Hear me now, I'm sober out
If you want it, then I'm down
Here and now, we bless the sound
[Verse 2]
Feeling right, so hold tight
You and I darling, it's so fine
Feeling right, you can't deny
Your love is, your love is mine
[Chorus]
Never letting go, let's purify
Take a look and feel the sunshine
Still floating high, we sway at night
[Hook]
Your love is, your love is mine [x3]
[Verse 3]
Hear me now, I'm sober out
If you want it, then I'm down
Hear me now, we bless the sound
[Verse 4]
Feeling right, so hold tight
You and I darling, it's so fine
Feeling right, you can't deny
Your love is, your love it's mine
[Chorus 2]
Never letting go, let's purify
Take a look out for you, the sunshine
Still floating high, we sway at night
[Hook]
Your love is, your love is mine [x3]
(I love the lyrics man, they inspire me so much when I write my own songs)
@SamB5012
most underrated song on the album
so groovy
@PANCAKEPAP1
ditto 👌👌
@lauramathews6594
Lucalion Agreed. 👌
@mylesbarth7038
so this is what it is like being a fanboy, I am addicted to tom Misch
@lauramathews6594
Myles Barth X'D Welcome to the club.
@wacodraco1558
Myles Barth him and Jordan Rakei man
@marlenejones9289
Me Too
I Love his Music here in America
Wish I could go to one of his Concerts❣️❣️❣️❣️
@LeungoMabjeng
I just decided to join that band wagon!
@izzymilan
I love that all of these comments are so positive! I am in love with Tom's music and I can't wait for more to be released!
@zeroslope1161
I remember finding Tom Misch last summer. I'm glad I found a wonderful artist.