Tommy Down Offers Timeless Soul With a Modern Psychedelic Twist on ‘Mrs Blue’

London’s Tommy Down is steadily carving out a space where classic soul meets modern psychedelia — and nowhere is that more evident than on his breakout single ‘Mrs Blue’. Taken from his 2024 album '21st Century Living', the track has quietly amassed over 5.7 million Spotify streams, earning nods from tastemakers like Radio X and Earmilk, while laying the groundwork for what’s shaping up to be a prolific 2025.

‘Mrs Blue’ is soul in its purest, most unhurried form. With a rhythm section that nods to Al Green’s velvet grooves and airy organ flourishes that hover like late-night whispers, the song leaves all the right space for Down’s standout vocal — smoky, aching, and effortlessly rich. It’s an intoxicating slow-burn, one that gently wraps listeners in a haze of longing and bittersweet nostalgia. Fans of John Mayer, Michael Kiwanuka, and early Maroon 5 will feel right at home here, but Down’s delivery is uniquely his own — controlled yet unguarded, modern yet steeped in vintage charm.

It’s the kind of song that lingers long after its final note, offering an emotional resonance that feels both intimate and cinematic — perhaps unsurprising, given Tommy’s knack for storytelling. That same sensibility has led to six of his tracks being featured in HBO’s hit drama Industry, co-created by his brother Mickey Down.

“The song was produced by Grammy and Brit award winning producer Jon Shave. I brought Jason Pebworth, one of the Invisible Men, a song I wrote about my girlfriend. I felt blue one weekend because I felt like my girlfriend was too but we hadn't spoken about it. It felt like a sixth sense and I wrote a song about that feeling. Jason and I started writing a new version of the song and I completely changed the lyrics. Jason suggested getting a sort of Al Green 'Lets stay together’ beat for the track, which worked very well."

A Camden native with deep musical roots, his grandfather once sang for WWII troops, Tommy Down’s evolution has been anything but formulaic. After fronting the Bristol-based jazz ensemble BUJO and touring across Europe, he returned to London, refining a sound that fuses his Ghanaian heritage, jazz training, and a deep affection for rock, soul, and psych. His collaboration roster speaks volumes too, including work with Grammy-nominated producers Jon Shave and Jason Pebworth (Invisible Men) and Jeffrey Silverman.

With the shimmering psych-rock single ‘Do You Want It All?’ already premiering via CLASH Magazine, Down’s forthcoming 2025 EP promises to expand his palette even further — blending influences like Radiohead, Mitski, and Mazzy Star into something bold yet unmistakably soulful.

If ‘Mrs Blue’ is any indication, Tommy Down is only just beginning to tap into the full range of his creative arsenal — and his ability to balance timeless songwriting with forward-thinking production suggests his next chapter will be one to watch closely.

Stream 'Mrs Blue' here:

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