There’s a unique quality to ‘Lonely Shade Of Blue’, the first single we’re featuring from the California-by-way-of-South-Africa artist Nick Leng. Yes, it’s unique against a backdrop of contemporary overproduced pop and purely digital composition, but it’s also a familiar sound. It’s that timeless combination of voice and piano, working with each other on a tide of honest emotion. We’ve heard this many times before, yet when delivered with such authenticity as that possessed by Leng, it’s a refreshing wash to our tired ears. The lofi recording accentuates the warm sonic textures and sense of space within the song. Despite the addition of cinematic strings, you can still imagine Nick Leng, alone at the piano, in tones of grainy black and white, singing his solitary ballad. With this first List Pick down, we attentively await the next release from this true talent. - Hannah Thacker