UK-born South African singer and songwriter GAZ has unveiled his debut solo album My New Skin, alongside ‘The Afterlife’, the last single from the project.
Over four years in the making, the album, produced by Mark Beling, is now available worldwide, offering listeners an intimate and deeply moving musical journey.
Seamlessly blending emotive indie, rock, and alternative with influences of new wave, post-rock, and post-punk, GAZ delivers a powerful and immersive sound that has garnered praise from industry heavyweights.
Each single released over the past four years has received critical acclaim, paving the way for this significant milestone.
GAZ, formerly the frontman of the renowned 90s South African rock band CRUSH, rekindled his passion for music in 2020 after a prolonged hiatus.
In collaboration with SAMA-winning producer Mark Beling, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery and creative rebirth. Over several years, this partnership culminated in My New Skin, a 10-track album that delves into personal transformation, resilience, love, and social issues, presenting a deeply introspective yet universally relatable body of work.
The latest and final single to be released from the album, ‘The Afterlife’, is a powerful and deeply evocative rock ballad that explores the idea of love enduring beyond mortality.
Inspired by GAZ’s reflections during his wife’s battle with cancer, the song confronts a profoundly human question: How do we find our lost loved ones in the next life?
Featuring a stirring vocal duet with DelMari Shaw (DelShaw), ‘The Afterlife’ captures the raw emotion of grief, hope, and the enduring power of love beyond the physical realm.
Recorded at Mark Beling Studios, the song came together in just two sessions. The first session saw GAZ laying down a single-take guide vocal, which remarkably became the final version due to its sheer authenticity and emotional resonance.
However, the track needed something more – a counterpart, a voice from “the other side.” In a serendipitous moment, GAZ received an unexpected message from DelShaw, whose ethereal voice proved to be the perfect complement. Her contribution added an unparalleled depth to the track, solidifying its place as a timeless rock anthem.
As an album, My New Skin represents both an artistic and personal rebirth. Each track tells a unique story – diving into themes of love, balance, conflict, social issues, and self-discovery – that are seamlessly woven into a compelling, cohesive body of work.
GAZ’s heartfelt lyrics and powerful melodies have struck a chord with audiences in the UK, US, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Australia, and beyond. Charting tracks like ‘Slow Down’, ‘Dopamine’, ‘Pay To Breathe’, and ‘Lullaby For The World’ further cement the widespread appeal of his emotionally charged sound while showcasing his distinctive, hard-hitting style.
“In March 2020, I realised that a vital part of myself had been missing for far too long,” says GAZ. “Music has always been my calling, and working with Mark Beling reignited that fire. What started as a simple collaboration evolved into something much bigger – a complete reinvention of myself as an artist.
“My New Skin is more than just an album; it’s a testament to the power of transformation, resilience, and embracing one’s true creative identity.”
