Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, colby! is a rising dark pop artist with a compelling story to tell. Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at age eight, she found solace in music, which led her to start singing and writing songs at a young age. At 14, she began co-writing music with her brother, RJ Johnson, a Berklee College of Music graduate and has been working with him ever since.
Building on this early foundation, colby! made her official debut in May with her single "Don’t Know What To Say," quickly establishing herself as an artist to watch. While she cites influences like Fiona Apple, Amy Winehouse, and Lily Allen, her sound is more closely aligned with artists like Hailey Knox, Bea Miller, and Erin LeCount, characterized by R&B-inspired vocals and ethereal production.
Last week, colby! released "Gone To Bed," a track that effortlessly blends light, airy guitar melodies with the dark, intricate dynamics of a complex romantic relationship. The song subtly nods to the melodic style of Billie Eilish's "bellyache,” but colby!’s distinctive vocal tone and unique touches—such as the introduction of electric guitar and a hint of vocoder—ultimately carve out an edgier sound that’s entirely her own.
More than anything, colby!’s new singles highlight her remarkable potential, from her voice to her creative vision, laying the foundation for what could be a truly sensational pop career, if played correctly. Yet, with this excitement also comes the possibility for growth.
As colby! continues to evolve, I’d love to see her delve into deeper lyrical complexity, exploring more nuanced themes and emotions that could further elevate her artistry. And I do believe this is just beyond the horizon; while her music is already sonically intriguing, her message will likely become fully realized with more life experience and time spent navigating her sound. This kind of artistic development is common among many young artists, including Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, who began their careers at a young age and needed time to refine their musical approach and find their niche before reaching mainstream success.
Keep an ear out for colby!—this journey is just beginning, and it promises to be one worth following.
