At 21, most of us were still trying to figure out the direction of our lives. Tom A. Smith, on the other hand, is releasing his new EP Say What You Want via Fiction Records, a self-written, self-produced, self-mixed statement that proves he’s not just one of the UK’s brightest new indie names, but a DIY powerhouse steering his own ship.
The EP is his most confident move yet, capturing that moment where an artist levels up, blending textured synths, cinematic production, and groove-led indie hooks into something that feels both expansive and intimate. Lead single I Don’t Blame You is already shaping up as a live favourite. It’s playful, a little cheeky, and built on a new electronic pulse without losing Tom’s knack for infectious choruses. As he puts it: “I wanted to make something that didn’t take itself too seriously… we’ve been playing it live over the summer and it’s been a lot of people’s favourite.”
Its video, shot by Tom’s bandmate Katie Anderson, doubles down on that ethos, DIY, fun, and proof of the creative community he’s built around him. It’s the kind of project that feels like mates making art together, but with the polish to sit comfortably on big playlists and festival stages.
The rest of Say What You Want keeps that energy rolling. Fashion has already been playlisted by Absolute Radio and spun by BBC 6 Music and Radio X, while What reads like an outsider anthem reimagined for 2025. Things close with a reimagined cover of It’s All Over by cult ‘90s band The God Machine, a curveball that underlines Tom’s love for the art of the album, and hints at even bigger, more ambitious directions to come.
Tom’s story makes this leap feel even more exciting. Raised in Houghton-le-Spring near Sunderland, he’s as grassroots as they come, building his own home studio during lockdown, playing Glastonbury, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and opening for everyone from Sam Fender to Elton John (who personally picked him for Hyde Park in 2022). Now signed to Fiction Records, the home of The Cure, Tame Impala, and St. Vincent, he’s stepping into a new era with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he wants.
As he sums it up: “It’s a new era for me. I’m really proud of this and every inch of it’s me. It all feels really exciting.”
And it is. Say What You Want isn’t just a new EP, it’s a line in the sand. Tom A. Smith has arrived, fully on his own terms.
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