INTRODUCING FRED ROBERTS

DEBUT SINGLE RUNAWAY OUT NOW

NOTION, ROLLING STONE, i-D FEATURED TRACK OF THE WEEK

WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR RUNAWAY HERE

(London – April 21, 2023) — Introducing pop’s brand new creator Fred Roberts and his debut single Runaway, out today. Both anthemic and introspective, this is the work of a young gay artist thinking hard about his past, and making music that, in the future, will help others make sense of the tumult of modern-day growing up and reckoning with your identity.

The 20 yo British songwriter arrives as part of a generation facing unprecedented modern-day pressures; Fred wants to ignite a youthful freedom into the state of play and hopes that through his exposing lyricism and energetic musicianship, he might be able empower those coming-of-age who are struggling to find their feet under the weight of the world.

This first offering from Fred is his bombastic run out of the gate debut single Runaway, written between LA and the UK with Andrew Wells (Phoebe Bridgers, Halsey, Ellie Goulding) and Anthony Rossomando (Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding). The rousing guitar-rock track, which feels antithetical to the sound of most queer loves songs, chronicles Fred’s encounter with a boy he once knew.

“Runaway is a song about overcoming resentment towards someone that used to be a big part of my life.” says Fred. “It’s a celebration of the freedom that arrives after you overcome a difficult time and a person who probably wasn’t the best for you. Someone who held the power to ruin your happiness with a few words or actions. The song details the last time I saw him – in a pub with friends, unexpectedly and the fear that comes along with that. But ultimately the realisation that I am no longer filled with upset and anger but with forgiveness. I am beyond excited to share it with the world and I really hope it connects.” 

Watch the official video for Runaway here.

Fred’s cross generational inspirations move from Frank Ocean to The Smiths, Billie Eilish to Little Simz, Matty Healy to Brandon Flowers and his idol Troye Sivan, who through his radical portraits of young gay love, marked the first time Fred had seen two men kiss; something he wasn’t able to put into words at the time, but what was to become a watershed moment for Fred which was to inspire the young artist on his own journey.

Fred Roberts is detailing his own frank experiences of complex queer love for the first time, unpacking the formative years of his life and making anthemic pop to help counter the pressures on youth today: “I write songs with the specific intent of helping someone who is going through the same experience”, he says. “I want to be part of something bigger than me.”