Premiere: Listen: Ed Thomas Streams Debut ‘Outlaws’ EP In Full

collaborator Ed Thomas has wasted no time in making a serious solo statement. His debut ‘Outlaws’ EP borrows only slightly from the artists he’s previously worked with, instead stamping its intent from the opening second, title-track onwards.

With ‘Giving It All’ amongst his writing credits, it’s not like Ed had that much to prove. But ‘Outlaws’ showcases territory the London songwriter’s previously left uninhabited. There’s the synth-laced balladry of ‘Away’, the soul strut of ‘Let It Take’ (a massive chart-bothering single in waiting, surely), plus the finger-clicking seduction of ‘Hurt’.

DIY’s delighted to be streaming the entirety of ‘Outlaws’ in full. Read our interview with Ed Thomas while giving one of the year’s most essential debut EPs of 2014 so far a deserved listen.



You’ve collaborated with Bondax and Chase & Status, when did you get the itch to release your own stuff, and in particular this EP?
I was lucky enough to write with the these guys and lots of others over the last 18 months. I was writing a lot of songs, and some of them I kinda wanted to keep for myself. The songs on the EP are ones that stuck out to me over that period.

How long have you been writing for? How’s your perspective on songwriting changed in recent years?
I’ve been writing music since I was a kid. I think my perspective and approach change constantly, there’s always a lot to learn, so the way you go about writing songs is forever evolving. But the emotion and feeling that you try and impress on a song remain the same throughout - I don’t think that changes over the years.

Is there a song on the EP you feel particularly connected to?
‘Away’ means quite a lot to me. It took the longest to write. It kept me awake at night.

‘Hurt’ is a seductive son of a… Or is it? Is romance a big inspiration for you? Or is a track like ‘Hurt’ more focused on darkness?
Romance is a big inspiration. Past present and future, I guess it’s something we can all relate to. I wasn’t trying to be dark with ‘Hurt’. But different people take it different ways. and that’s all good.

Do you associate yourself with other progressive pop artists like Dornik, for example, or have you always felt separate from any scene?
I’m a big fan of Dornik - his music has this mass appeal, but it feels personal. That’s a great thing to be able to do. I’d like to be able to do that too. I’m not sure which artists I’d associate myself with. It’s an exciting time for music with a lot of extremely talented people out there.

Where do you see your tracks going, to lovers’ bedrooms or club floors? Both?
I’m writing some stuff at the moment which feels a lot more club-friendly. Maybe a club full of bedrooms, though. I’m not sure, but I like the idea of a club full of bedrooms.