NEW SINGLE '' BUZZIN '' OUT NOW
W: Billy Jacks
"Truman’s songs are brave and self-exposing, ruthlessly drawing upon trauma and uncomfortable truths, framed within the context of his working-class upbringing and the wider society that shaped him."
In the saturated landscape of UK alternative hip-hop, it is rare to find a debut that feels this lived-in. Truman, the musical moniker of acclaimed London artist, poet, and actor Charley Palmer Rothwell, has officially fired the starting shot for 2026 with his latest single, “BUZZIN.” Produced by the multi-platinum, Mercury-nominated Jakwob (Lil Simz, Nia Archives), the track is a masterclass in controlled chaos, serving as the lead invitation into Truman’s upcoming debut album, Kid Raise Kid.
The track is a visceral, "stream of unconsciousness" explosion that bridges the gap between the poetic and the primal. Jakwob’s production is jagged and syncopated, providing a skeletal framework that allows Truman’s flow to swing and stutter like a live instrument. Rather than sticking to a traditional rhythmic grid, the delivery mimics the frantic nature of intrusive thoughts, capturing a specific kind of high-octane mental restlessness.
"This song is a stream of unconsciousness. The words are delivered like a jazz drummer in broken time. I made it with Jakwob in the genesis of Truman. We were playing and getting buzzin."
The accompanying one-take music video, directed by Anna Brooks, is where Truman’s dual identity as an actor and musician truly fuses. Set in the hollowed-out aftermath of an office party, the visual relies entirely on Truman’s magnetic presence and stylized choreography by Anders Hayward. It is a performance that underscores his physicality and control, moving through the space with a twitchy precision that feels both claustrophobic and expansive.
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Beyond the rhythm, "BUZZIN" reveals the complex layers of Truman’s artistry. His work cuts through the noise of identity politics, revealing a project rooted in self-healing and a meditation on growing up in a white, working-class British home. He masterfully balances multiple personas—the repressed ordinary man, the cockney comic, and the vulnerable truth-seeker—using a dark, nihilistic humor to navigate uncomfortable truths about masculinity and upbringing.
"Truman’s songs are brave and self-exposing, ruthlessly drawing upon trauma and uncomfortable truths, framed within the context of his working-class upbringing and the wider society that shaped him."
Uncompromising yet universally human, "BUZZIN" is a raw statement of intent. By refusing to polish away the rough edges of his experience, Truman has created a piece of art that feels remarkably honest. As he steps fully into his moment in 2026, he isn't just releasing music; he is deconstructing the complexities of the modern British psyche and inviting us to watch the process.