An artist whose output could be mistaken for that of an Internet-related project, the self-sustaining Spencer. fuses introspective R&B, organic hip-hop, and lazing indie rock. Since establishing himself as a teenager with independent releases highlighted by the BBC-supported "Want U Back" (2018), the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer has recorded a handful of singles for 4AD, including "Automatic" (2019) and "Hold It Down" (2020).
Spencer Allen, aka Spencer., was born in Rochester, New York, and is based out of Brooklyn. In 2016, he uploaded to SoundCloud an EP titled Starcaster, consisting of three instrumentals centering on his hypnotic, lightly strummed guitar work. He gained ground in 2017 and 2018 with the three-track EPs Visceral Love and Want U Back, between which he also issued the stand-alone tracks "To Be You" and an alternate version of Visceral Love's "Open Wide," featuring Ishmael Raps. These recordings revealed Spencer.'s unguarded lyricism and casual yet nuanced and affecting voice. "Want U Back" became a kind of breakthrough song, play-listed by several high-profile outlets including Jamz Supernova's BBC Radio 1Xtra program. Signed to 4AD, Spencer. made his label debut in 2019 with "Automatic," and in 2020 continued to build anticipation for his first album with "2much" and "Hold It Down."
