Auckland singer-songwriter Will Swinton continues to make waves this summer with the release of his upbeat and undeniable new single “Can’t Let Go,” now available through 10K Projects/Capitol Records. The track, co-written and co-produced with Peter Fenn (known for collaborations with Fred again and Miles Smith), showcases Swinton’s knack for heartfelt and catchy songwriting.
“I wrote ‘Can’t Let Go’ while traveling back and forth between Auckland and LA, navigating the complexities of a long-distance relationship,” Swinton shares. “This song is a reflection of the emotional struggles and challenges that come with being separated from someone you care deeply about.”
Driven by breezy acoustic guitar and the pace of a tambourine, the track features Swinton’s emotionally charged delivery. He urges early on, “Take my heart, but don’t take the blame,” and promises in the hook, “Still I’m holding on this time, but I can’t let go.” The self-directed music video, filmed in LA, captures this easygoing vibe as Swinton sings on an outdoor couch surrounded by friends, a guitarist, and a dog.
"Can’t Let Go" follows the release of Swinton’s recent single “Letting Me Down,” which amassed hundreds of thousands of streams and received critical acclaim. The Honey Pop praised Swinton’s voice, stating, “his voice alone makes us feel better. It’s raw and emotional, and we can’t help but feel as if we’re going through the situation right alongside him.” UPROXX highlighted it among “All The Best New Pop Music From This Week,” noting Swinton’s “crackly yet smooth vocal tone is immediately striking.”
Swinton’s earlier releases, such as “Harmless” and “Daydream,” have also garnered significant attention. “Harmless” earned applause from Mundane Magazine for his “powerful stadium-ready voice,” and Happy Mag declared, “With ‘Harmless,’ NZ artist Will Swinton cements his place among music’s upper echelons.” “Daydream” reached number five on the Hot 20 New Zealand Singles Chart and received acclaim from Rolling Stone and Sweety High.
Swinton released his debut EP Better Days in October 2023, capping a period of significant momentum. His independent single “All For You” cracked the Top 10 of the Hot 20 New Zealand Singles Chart in 2022, with “Better Days,” “Wasted You,” and “Leave In The Morning” landing in the Top 15. Swinton has also amassed over 100 million views on TikTok and collaborated with artists like Claire Rosinkranz. He has performed at major festivals and events worldwide, including SXSW, The Great Escape, and Primavera. In the past year, he supported Dermot Kennedy on the New Zealand leg of his tour and performed on the main stage at Rhythm & Vines, New Zealand’s largest festival.
Listen to "Can't Let Go" below.
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