When YouTube sensation-turned-pop star Blanks’ ‘80s version of Post Malone's Better Now went viral on TikTok, he never could have imagined the way it would change his life. This year he released his debut EP, Cheap Sodas And Ice Cream Kisses, which includes a song co-written with his Instagram followers – which once you get to know him, isn’t as strange as it sounds.
Having amassed fans all over the world with his astute lyricism and unwavering sunny disposition, singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist Blanks (real name Simon) released his first EP this year. Named Cheap Sodas And Ice Cream Kisses, the EP features some of Blanks’ most beloved and successful compositions so far.
Speaking to Headliner from his studio in the Netherlands, the self confessed “overexcited music boy” is on top form, and his enthusiasm and boundless energy is both endearing and infectious – and is a big part of his online appeal, which is intimidating, to say the least.
The YouTube sensation-turned-pop star has 1.22 million YouTube subscribers and just under 300k Instagram followers, which he has rapidly built up with his production videos and unique covers of well known songs.
“I’ve had a lot of time to reflect this year, and a lot of time to create stuff, which I really like to do. I’ve also been writing a lot for my own project and for other people. Plus I've made a lot of videos for my YouTube channel,” he says brightly.
Even a recent fall on his skateboard and the resulting crutches he needs in order to get around can’t dampen his glass-half-full spirit, which is still riding high after his successful summery EP release, which draws heavily from ‘80s pop and dance influences.
“I spent one summer listening to a Spotify playlist with only ‘80s songs after the second season of Stranger Things was released,” he explains. “I was like, ‘this music sounds amazing’, so I started listening to it. I fell in love with a feeling of fake nostalgia [he’s a ‘90s baby].
"The music just feels so real though, like there's a memory attached to it – even if I have never heard the song before. I really like songs that make you think of a memory or think back to a summer with friends. That's the magic of ‘80s music for me.”