When listening to music, sometimes your environment dictates how you hear a song. Except when you’re listening to Hether. In that case, the music is the environment. Incredibly accomplished in his young career, Paul Castullezzo, better known as Hether, flexes his development on his newest EP Play It Pretty, due out June 10. Leading the charge is single “photograph,” a lyrically emotional and sonically soothing track. The song has a vintage quality to it, as if it is being played from a record player even when it is conveyed through AirPods.

Hether has made a habit of this sound, projecting a calm confidence in his music that can be accredited to his wealth of experience in a number of roles. Having released music since 2019, he has developed his sound in the interim, as is evident on Play It Pretty. Hether’s list of music credits speaks for itself: he was formerly Dominic Fike’s bass player, and has gone onto work with Clairo, Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals, Vince Staples, and Kenny Beats in different capacities. With the talent to pull off even his most ambitious musical attempts, “photograph” is a convincing first impression for those who don’t already have Hether on repeat.

‍Play It Pretty will arrive this summer, as will two more single in anticipation of Hether’s third EP. Other collaborations of his include Remi Wolf, the charismatically chaotic rising artist that Hether will join on tour this fall. Sure to satisfy, stream Play It Pretty on June 10 and follow Hether on social media for updates on upcoming live shows.

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