UNBLOOM

In hindsight, 2018 could be regarded as one of Jonathan Zarola’s most pivotal years as producer and electronic artist UNBLOOM--the kind of year that an artist can leap off of, or simply crumble from. Having released three critically acclaimed singles that prominently featured his vocals--Chances, I Followed, and Lost Myself--the young artist cemented his place in the “rising stars” category with adoring support from tastemakers such as EARMILK, <a href="spotify:artist:3jVyqoJ8RrgsDKlK4pk8pe" data-name="Cloudkid">Cloudkid</a>, and Peter Robinson (the curator behind <a href="spotify:playlist:5s7cNVeGfehrRfCatNN43P" data-name="New Music Friday: The Popjustice Edit">New Music Friday: The Popjustice Edit</a> and <a href="spotify:playlist:2fdRo7d5OIHrROi9nH6hvK" data-name="Popjustice's Top 45+ Singles of 2018">Popjustice's Top 45+ Singles of 2018</a>). The singles acted as an affirmation of Zarola’s ability to be a “complete artist.”


The logical move would be to continue the trend--lean into the frontman persona and ride the wave. But Zarola, first and foremost, is a craftsman and talent curator. His first two singles of 2019, <a href="spotify:album:1okqXTc9VPkdUe4D40Ca1w" data-name="Best Believe (feat. Connor Morand)">Best Believe (feat. Connor Morand)</a> and &#39;Alright&#39; (the fire collaboration with LA pop powerhouse <a href="spotify:artist:1IkijWWvTvWKuZ90kHwdHA" data-name="Disco Shrine">Disco Shrine</a>), confirm this statement. What Zarola does so well with the UNBLOOM project is add subtlety and nuance to the accessible; to layer and adjust textures that encourage multiple listens. The fact that ‘Best Believe’ and &#39;Alright&#39; feature some of the catchiest hooks of 2019 doesn’t hurt either.

Perhaps his ability to create songs with emotional weight and danceable energy is one of the reasons why EARMILK hailed him as an “electronic prodigy,” and why he continues to push the boundaries of what the UNBLOOM project could be.