Zach Templar’s Debut Ep In Waves Captures Youth, Nostalgia, And Emotional Reckoning

Zach Templar officially steps into the spotlight with the release of his highly anticipated debut EP, in waves. A dreamy blend of lo-fi pop, indie rock, and soulful R&B, the five-track project explores themes of adolescence, emotional growing pains, and wistful nostalgia. With his haunting vocals and atmospheric production, Templar draws influence from Frank Ocean, Miguel, and Omar Apollo—while carving out a sound that feels undeniably his own.

To celebrate the drop, Zach headlines a show tonight at The Courtyard Theatre in London, where fans can hear the EP live for the first time.

“I wrote in waves as a reflection of who I’ve been and who I’m becoming,” Zach shares. “It’s about childhood wonder clashing with adult uncertainty. There’s a character called ‘the beast’—that’s the future—and ‘the child’—that’s the past. I wrote it from both of their perspectives.”

From Bedroom Demos to Breakout Star

With a DIY approach honed on an old laptop and SoundCloud drops, Zach Templar first caught ears with 2023’s viral hit “missin something.” That dreamy, vulnerable track earned over 113 million streams and led to a sold-out tour. But in waves goes deeper, acting as both a personal diary and a cinematic snapshot of coming-of-age chaos.

Tracks like “wild flower” and “waves” close the EP with depth and emotional clarity. The former—delicate and nostalgic—channels first love and the naive beauty of youth. The latter blends Zach’s signature hazy vocals with punchy electric guitar and ambient textures, landing somewhere between indie grunge and late-night confession.

The rest of the EP includes fan favorites like “give me your heart,” “desire,” and “i don’t wanna fight anymore”—all of which have been spotlighted on Spotify’s Our Generation, Alt/Pop, and Velvet playlists, and praised by outlets including Wonderland, Remezcla, 1883 Magazine, and Paste.

Templar’s visuals—drawn from childhood inspirations like Where the Wild Things Are and The Gruffalo—add another layer to his storytelling. “There’s a nostalgia in those stories that mirrors how I felt writing these songs,” he says.

Tracklist – in waves EP

1. give me your heart

2. waves

3. i don’t wanna fight anymore

4. desire

5. wild flower

Zach Templar’s debut may mark his first EP, but it lands with the maturity and ambition of an artist who’s already in tune with his voice—and his vision. Honest, intimate, and emotionally expansive, in waves is a confident statement from one of the most promising new voices in alternative pop.