There's an emotional clarity that 18-year-old Zakhar displays in his music, which is why his debut EP Scars On My Mind has been worth the wait.

Nostalgic reflections of adolescent romance, growth pains, and persisting with the hustle are the themes that bind the EP together. The production flows between a range of sounds but remains grounded in its soulful elements; from its grand piano accompaniment on "Fly Away" to the sweet guitar strums on the JAE5-produced "Tough Love".

The main attraction across the eight tracks is Zakhar's expressive vocal performance. Whether it's over an upbeat production or a stripped-back moment, he remains up open and transparent with the stories he shares, making clear that the project is "more than an EP, it's my story so far."

To celebrate the tape's release, he's also treated us to some smooth visuals for "Real Me", which you can take in below.