SA: Will Linley returns with new single Cinematic via Island Records

At just 23, Linley has carved out a niche with his emotionally resonant “sad-pop” style, fusing vulnerable lyrics with upbeat, danceable melodies. Cinematic continues that trend, offering listeners a heartfelt yet uplifting musical experience. The new single follows the momentum of Magic, which included fan favourites such as ‘Maybe’, ‘Gracie’, ‘Tough (The Girls Song)’, and the viral hit ‘Last Call’.

Born and raised in Cape Town, Linley grew up in a musical household and taught himself to play piano and guitar after first studying violin and viola. He began songwriting in high school, citing influences like Dean Lewis, Lewis Capaldi, and Ed Sheeran. His breakout moment came on TikTok, eventually leading to mainstream success in South Africa with his Gold-certified single ‘miss me (when you’re gone)’.

Since then, Linley has garnered global attention with over 95 million streams for ‘Last Call’ and was named a Vevo DSCVR artist. His international performance resume continues to grow, having toured with OneRepublic and Matthew Mole and taken the stage at BST Hyde Park alongside P!NK, Gwen Stefani, and Sam Ryder. In 2023, he also played his first UK headline show and made a splash in the US with sold-out performances in New York and Los Angeles.