colby! releases debut EP

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, colby! is an indie pop sensation whose breakout year has resulted in an exciting whirlwind of new music. Raised in a home filled with the sounds of live music, she was immersed in all kinds of arts from an early age, channeling her creativity through singing, writing, painting and performing. Her passion for expression, however, has always been intertwined with her determination as she overcame significant challenges to embrace her own artistic path.

When she was eight years old, colby! was diagnosed with severe dyslexia, a condition that could have easily stifled her creative ambitions. Instead, she turned to art as a form of solace and empowerment, using music and songwriting as tools for self-expression and healing. With the support of intensive therapy, she learned to cope with her dyslexia, ultimately transforming it into a source of strength. By the age of 14, colby! was collaborating with her brother, RJ Johnson, a Berklee College of Music graduate and her producer, to craft songs that offer listeners an escape from the stresses of everyday life.

This year, colby! has burst onto the scene with a string of impressive releases, starting with her debut single, “Don’t Know What To Say,” which arrived in May and quickly earned editorial playlist placements and widespread recognition. Followed up by a further three singles while clocking hundreds of thousands of spins on Spotify alone, colby! now brings us her most ambitious release to date with her debut EP titled Dead Giveaway.

Kicked off by title track “Dead Giveaway,” the strike of percussion is met by grooving bass tones and muted instrumental textures as colby!’s smooth vocal leads glide above to spin instantly catchy melodic lines. With pulsing rhythm and an immersive arrangement, the chorus arrives with shimmering alternative pop vibes brimming with infectious writing and danceable energy. Commenting on the song, she shares, “I wrote Dead Giveaway about those moments in a relationship, whether romantic or platonic, when you realise there’s no real depth there. You’re putting in the effort to keep things going, but it’s clear the other person isn’t meeting you halfway, and they’re unlikely to change. There’s nothing left to save, and it’s time to accept that you need to go your separate ways.”

“Gone To Bed” distils the complexities of unspoken emotions, recounting the tale of two people who, despite their deep connection, remain too afraid to voice their feelings. Mirrored in colby!’s poignant lyrics and hushed vocal delivery, the context is set against the backdrop of bright acoustic guitar strums and rhythmic beats, developing with deep bass tones and the shuffle of drums to capture a slick and heartfelt pop sound.

Recent single “Break Me Twice” follows with the gentle twang of guitar notes and mellow patter of drums capped by colby!’s emotive vocals. With a subtly anthemic sound in the chorus, the track frames her bold songwriting with a laid back groove, crunchy guitar elements and commanding vocal delivery in the final moments. “Moving On” pairs subtle R&B-tinged vibes with Latin-esque rhythms before flowing into deep and immersive moments to deliver a constantly shifting slice of highly original alternative pop.

Final track “Doing What I Can” serves up a rousing anthem of self-empowerment and perseverance built on stomping rhythm and impactful vocals. Bold basslines and marching drums collide as colby!’s impassioned vocals thread gripping melodic hooks to craft a truly epic close to her sensational debut EP. Offering the perfect snapshot of her thrilling sonic vision, colby! finishes her exciting first year on a high note, setting up what’s sure to be a successful 2025 and we can’t wait to see what she’s got in store.

Listen to Dead Giveaway below