NEW SINGLE 'HAYMAKER' OUT NOW
W: Karl Watson
Stripped of the noise, the lights, and the labels, what remains is the music that truly matters. The Lifeboat Playlist is a raw deep dive into the sonic DNA of the artists we love, forcing them to choose the ten definitive tracks they’d carry into isolation. It’s a survival kit built on gut-level resonance—a collection of anthems, heartbreaks, and high-octane riffs that define a lifetime.
For ROM-1, these ten tracks aren’t just influences; they are blueprints. From stadium-sized roars to vulnerable late-night confessions, these songs represent the standards by which they measure their own craft. Each selection captures something essential—ambition, atmosphere, or sheer conviction—forming the foundation of how ROM-1 approaches writing and performing today.
1: Frank Ocean - Self Control
It was one of the first times I’d heard a man openly singing about being in love with another man and reassured me I’d be okay if I was out the closet and releasing music - ‘I’ll be the boyfriend in your wet dream tonight’
2: Shygirl - BDE
One of my favourite alt hip-hop tracks. Perfect blend of industrial production with nasty drums and that London confidence.
3: Teddy Pendegrass - Close the Door
Teddy is the baritone staple for me. One of my favourite songs to sing when I want to belt it all out!
4: Kendrick Lamar - Wesley’s Theory
This is the opening of my favourite album of all time - When this came out, I was living quite far away from home surrounded by a lot of people who didn’t look like me and I really needed to hear ‘every n*gger is a star’.
5: Kelela - Rewind
This track is inspirational because it uses drum patterns that have a 80s/90s familiarity to them yet doesn’t feel dated. The highlight is it being so referential whilst being modern.
6: The Acid - Animal
This track taught me ‘less is more’ - sparse production that uses sound design as a highlight for moments in the song.
7: LL COOL J - Doin’ It
His rap cadence on this is a staple for how I like structure some of my more traditional rap verses
8: Lady Gaga - Paparazzi
This was the first song I learned on piano when I was 13
9: Zapp & Roger - Computer Love
I love when production can marry with the song’s themes. All the glitchy synths and vocoder effects work perfectly. And that GROOVE!
10: Whitney Houston My Love is Your Love
One of my earliest musical memories. My Dad used to DJ, I might have been about 2 years old and remember watching this on MTV from my playpen.