Zak Abel: The Soulful Voice of UK Pop and R&B

Zak Abel is a British singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his powerful, soul-infused vocals and introspective pop songwriting. Hailing from London, he has carved a distinct path in the UK music scene, achieving chart success with his 2017 debut album Only When We're Naked and through high-profile collaborations with major dance producers.

Early career

Born in 1995, Zak Abel grew up in London and began playing piano and drums at a young age, developing a deep connection to soul and gospel music. His professional journey started in his late teens, with early writing and featuring credits leading to a recording contract with Atlantic Records UK around 2014, setting the stage for his first major releases.

Breakthrough

Abel's breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the single Say Sumthin, a collaboration with producer Kaytranada that showcased his dynamic voice over a deep house beat. This was swiftly followed by his feature on Gorgon City's UK Top 40 hit Unmissable, cementing his status as a sought-after vocalist in the dance and pop spheres and building anticipation for his debut album.

Key tracks

Say Sumthin — This Kaytranada collaboration introduced Abel's soulful tone to a global dance audience and became an underground anthem.

Unmissable — His featured vocal on this Gorgon City track peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart, marking his first major chart entry.

Everybody Needs Love — The lead single from his debut album is a soaring, piano-driven pop anthem that perfectly encapsulates his uplifting sound.

Love Over Hate — A later single that highlights his matured songwriting and more personal lyrical approach, dealing with themes of resilience.

The River — A notable collaboration with producer Wookie, blending UK garage rhythms with Abel's impassioned vocal delivery.

His debut album, Only When We're Naked, arrived in 2017 to positive critical reception, showcasing his range from upbeat pop to stripped-back soul. Abel has since continued to release music independently and via his own label, while his voice remains a fixture on dance records, including a 2023 collaboration with legendary producer Armand Van Helden on Love Is A Battlefield.

For fans of Zak Abel's blend of soulful pop and contemporary R&B, our website also features music from similar UK artists. Discover Tom Misch for a parallel love of groove-oriented instrumentation and smooth vocals. Explore James Bay for another powerful voice in the modern British singer-songwriter tradition. Listen to Rag'N'Bone Man for a shared emphasis on monumental, soul-baring vocal performances. Check out Kwabs for a comparable approach to fusing electronic production with deep, resonant soul singing.

Zak Abel's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across UK pop stations, contemporary R&B formats, and specialist dance music shows that appreciate his versatile collaborations. His tracks are regularly featured on mainstream FM playlists and independent online radio streams focused on the latest in soulful electronic and pop music.

You can hear the music of Zak Abel, including his chart hits and album tracks, on the various radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover his soul-powered pop sound through our curated selection of stations that champion quality vocalists and modern R&B.