Budjerah's debut album 'Gentleman' arrives after a four-year wait

After a four-year wait and two ARIA Awards, Coodjinburra artist Budjerah has finally released his debut album, "Gentleman." The 24-year-old singer-songwriter described the journey to the album's completion as lengthy, even by music industry standards, noting he had written material for multiple albums in the interim.

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I think even by music industry norms, four years is a long time to get that many songs together. I think I've written maybe three albums in the meantime separate from just these 11 tracks, and it started in 2022; I'd won two ARIAs and I really wanted to make an album.

"I think even by music industry norms, four years is a long time to get that many songs together," Budjerah said. "I think I've written maybe three albums in the meantime separate from just these 11 tracks, and it started in 2022; I'd won two ARIAs and I really wanted to make an album."

The album "Gentleman" was produced by Grammy winner Om'Mas Keith, known for his work with artists like Frank Ocean and Jay-Z. Its sound draws inspiration from the R&B and pop music Budjerah grew up with. The title track, described as funky and high-energy, takes cues from James Brown, an artist Budjerah deeply admires through his family.

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I just got a call one day, and they said listen in from here, they're going to play your song on his radio show, Rocket Hour on Apple. And so, I stayed up till the middle of the night to listen to it.

Budjerah's career has seen significant milestones, including supporting Ed Sheeran on the Australian leg of his Mathematics tour in early 2023. This coincided with the release of his hit single "Therapy." He also experienced a full-circle moment when his song "Want You Back" was played on Elton John's "Rocket Hour" radio show on Apple Music. "I just got a call one day, and they said listen in from here, they're going to play your song on his radio show, Rocket Hour on Apple," Budjerah recalled. "And so, I stayed up till the middle of the night to listen to it."

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I felt like it was a fun way to play up the performance aspect of what I do, because everything I do is about the performance. When I'm in the studio, I think about how the song is going to be interpreted live.

Budjerah, who married his high school sweetheart Sophie Slabb, emphasizes the personal connection he has with his music. "I don't sing nothing that I don't mean. I always relate it to my personal experience and my stories," he told ABC. His passion for performance is evident, as he even sang at his own wedding.

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I don't sing nothing that I don't mean. I always relate it to my personal experience and my stories.