GUCCI, TAMA
NOTES TO SELF (SINDERLYN)
Tama Gucci has a knack for pushing the envelope. The Miami-raised, New York-based singer, producer and DJ's long awaited debut album, Notes to Self, is the culmination of years of forward-thinking pop songwriting and creating intricate club soundscapes.
It tracks his evolution from fun-loving cover artist and studious songwriter/producer to self-assured, wholly encompassing visionary.
Tama Gucci's first mixtape, 2017's Out of Order, saw him try his hand at writing lyrics and singing melodies over other artists' beats.
Two later EPs - 2019's Fantasy and 2021's Almost Blue - were his first fully self-produced efforts: somewhat surprising given the delicate finesse and sizable ambition of those releases, which seamlessly melded a searing pop euphoria and dance music sophistication.
For a debut album, Notes to Self sounds rather seasoned, with him f earlessly dipping in and out of various styles, from the warped rock of "Runaway Pup" and the thrumming dance-oriented R&B of "Didn't Have To" to the blinking electro-pop of "Back Then" and moody, atmospheric techno of "You Lost Me." Previous releases allowed him to steadily build his sound and cultivate his artistic voice and with Notes to Self, he opened his sonic universe to guest contributors.
NYC songwriter/producer Cassius Cruz lent an ebullient rap verse to "No More I Love You's"; ambient pop artist Colle (also of Chanel Beads) added heartrendingly beautiful whispers to "You Lost Me"; and Australian multi-hyphenate Jack Slade produced a pair of pop-forward tracks.
Notes to Self also arrives at the perfect time for Tama Gucci, who's become a staple of New York City's queer electronic underground.
He's opened for the likes of Erika de Casier and Christine and the Queens, and guested on Caroline Polachek's Club Quarantine set.
He has also been making waves in the fashion world where he's scored New York and Milan Fashion Week runway shows for Mirror Palais, Prabal Gurung and Moschino alongside his partner and fellow DJ, Matthew Mazur; has modeled for the likes of tastemakers like Telfar and more, and he also helms his own brand of tongue-in-cheek handmade apparel & clothing, Tama's Corner.
Tama Gucci is immensely proud of how far he has come, and is rightly excited by the prospect of people hearing Notes to Self.