On July 8th, 2023, Blaize Jenkins had 150 monthly listeners. Today, he has almost a quarter million. Back in mid-July, I was one of the masses to fall in love with Blaize Jenkins and his music. The meteoric rise of Blaize, catalyzed by a dumb-luck moment of someone approaching him on the street asking if he made music and putting it on TikTok, was one that I feel particularly lucky to have witnessed. Today, almost four months later, Blaize released his first song since that video went viral.

Calling “River” a cinematic record doesn’t do the track justice. “River” is an atmospheric, 4-minute journey that has the capability to soundtrack an entire lifetime. Produced by Blaize himself, the song highlights Alex G-esque vocals and fuzzy guitars reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots, but is a track only Blaize could create. It’s nostalgic, yet refreshing and I found myself looking inward as I listened again and again.

Blaize has taken this newfound attention by the reins, and “River” is clearly just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much the rising alt-rocker has to show, and I just feel grateful I’m along for the ride.