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Gallant Breaks Free

Gallant Breaks Free

  • The alt-R&B artist’s first independent album blends genres, explores self-discovery and defies expectations — on his terms.

Gallant has never been content to stay in one lane, and his latest album, Zinc, proves just how far he’s willing to go to break free from expectations.

As his first full-length project as an independent artist, Zinc doesn’t merely push boundaries—it obliterates them. It’s a genre-defying collection that blends ambient, alternative and electronic sounds into a cohesive yet unpredictable journey.

Deeply personal and creatively fearless, Zinc reflects Gallant’s evolution as an artist stepping fully into his individuality.


This article is part of RELEVANT issue 116. Click here to see the rest of the issue, and click here to get our interactive digital magazine with RELEVANT+!


For Gallant, gaining independence has been transformative. After leaving the major-label system, he found the creative freedom to make music that doesn’t cater to trends or algorithms.

It’s freedom you can hear in every note of Zinc, a project that challenges labels and embraces the complexity of Gallant’s artistic identity. Though his name is often synonymous with alt-R&B, Zinc is impossible to confine to a single genre.

“I really wanted to make an album that feels unique,” Gallant says. “Like, when you hear it, you’re not sure what genre it fits into, but you like it.”

That sense of freedom extends beyond the music. For Gallant, stepping away from a label wasn’t just about creative control; it was about surrounding himself with collaborators who saw his uniqueness as a strength.

The shift, while not without challenges, brought him back to a space where he could create without compromise.

“I missed being surrounded by people who saw my uniqueness as an asset,” Gallant explains. “There’s always this unspoken pressure with big labels to fit into a genre box or write for specific audiences. With Zinc, I just wanted to make something that felt authentic to me.”

Even the album’s title reflects the deeply personal journey behind its creation. Gallant didn’t arrive at the name Zinc through careful planning—it came to him unexpectedly while watching Jeopardy. A clue about the element resonated with him instantly.

“It just clicked,” he recalls with a laugh. “Zinc is used to heal wounds, and that felt right for what this album is about for me —healing and understanding myself better.”

The metaphorical resonance of zinc is woven into the album’s DNA. Zinc isn’t just about healing; it’s about the messy, nonlinear process of self-discovery. Tracks like “In a Nutshell” and “Sticks and Stones” capture this exploration, peeling back layers of personal experience with introspective lyrics and bold sonic experimentation.

The journey to independence also gave Gallant the gift of time. Without the looming deadlines of a label, he allowed himself to linger over details and craft an album that felt right on his terms.

The result is a project that doesn’t rush itself, instead inviting listeners into a world of shifting textures and moods. From ambient soundscapes to flashes of jungle and EDM, Zinc showcases Gallant’s love of experimentation while maintaining a thread of accessibility.

“I’ve always been interested in playing with sound,” he says. “With Zinc, I wanted to create a world that feels unique but is still enjoyable to listen to. It’s about finding that balance between experimentation and accessibility.”

That balance is a hallmark of Zinc. On one hand, Gallant embraces his alternative influences, pushing past the traditional boundaries of R&B. On the other, he delivers deeply personal lyrics that cut to the core. It’s a duality that defines the project and reflects Gallant’s ongoing struggle with being pigeonholed as an artist.

“I don’t mind the R&B label,” he says. “But I wish people could see me more as an alternative artist. My influences are a lot more varied than just one genre.”

The frustration goes beyond personal branding. Gallant points to a larger industry issue, where Black artists are often boxed into specific categories regardless of their sound.

“I think of people like Seal or Terence Trent D’Arby,” he says. “They were blending so many things, but because they’re Black, they got put in the R&B box. I’ve even seen people call me a rapper—it’s wild.”

Despite these frustrations, Gallant isn’t interested in fighting labels. He’s more focused on making music that feels authentic, trusting that the right listeners will connect. “Whatever they want to call it is fine,” he says with a shrug. “At the end of the day, I’m just happy people are listening.”

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword for Gallant—it’s the driving force behind Zinc. He’s always been honest in his songwriting, but this time, he dug deeper. The album explores not just his relationships but also his mistakes, anxieties and even his spirituality.

Tracks like “Fly on the Wall” zero in on specific moments of regret, while others, like “Crimes of Compassion,” take a broader look at how his choices have shaped his life.

“With Zinc, I wanted to psychoanalyze myself through music,” he says. “It’s not just about relationships; it’s about every area of my life. I wanted to dive deeper into the emotions behind the mistakes I’ve made.”

Spirituality also plays a subtle but significant role in the album. Gallant’s relationship with faith has been a complicated journey, and that tension is reflected in his music.

“I’ve had periods where I’m really religious and periods where I’m not religious at all,” he says. “It’s complicated.”

That ambivalence seeps into Zinc, particularly in its themes of surrender and control. Gallant grapples with the tension between accepting what’s out of his hands and taking responsibility for what isn’t.

It’s a philosophical approach that underscores much of the album.

“Not everything is within my control,” he says. “But you have to focus on the things that are. It’s about balancing those two ideas—understanding that some things are out of your hands, but also not using that as an excuse to avoid accountability.”

Looking back, Gallant sees Zinc as his most cohesive work, a project that blends all his influences into something uniquely his. Whether you call him an R&B artist, an alternative musician, or something else entirely, Gallant has created a space where he can explore the full spectrum of his artistry.

“To me, making music is about creating a world that people can step into,” he says. “And hopefully, they feel something when they’re there. That’s all I can ask for.”

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