Draper – “On You” (Feat. Alby Hobbs) (Stereogum Premiere)
James Draper is a 23-year-old French-born, British-based producer who has been forging toward the music industry since he was a teenager. Opting for the mononym Draper, he began to seriously pursue music when he was 16 and started entering remix contests through the EDM community Indaba, where he would often win prizes and accolades for his work. Eventually, he released two EPs — The Introduction in 2010 and The Draper EP in 2012 — and was enlisted to write and produce with collaborators like Lapsley via a publishing deal with Turn First Artists.
Now, Draper is working on his solo debut, which will come via Canadian electronic label Monstercat. Today he’s shared “On You,” the first song off his forthcoming album. It’s a collaboration featuring the buttery vocals of Alby Hobbs, who he’s worked with before. Draper combines Honne’s R&B-inflected ennui and Cashmere Cat’s fluttery wub-wub for “On You”; with pillowy synths and plush production, Hobbs’ emotional vocals are the icing on the cake. Listen below and keep an eye out for Draper this year as his full-length should be coming soon.