Rising South African singer-songwriter Will Linley has unveiled his eagerly awaited debut album Don’t Cry Because It’s Over, out now via Island Records. At just 22, the Cape Town native has already built an international following with his blend of emotionally candid lyrics and breezy, hook-filled pop — and this first full-length release captures both his youthful perspective and his growing maturity as an artist.
Will Linley
At its heart, Don’t Cry Because It’s Over is a coming-of-age record. Across 12 tracks, Linley charts the full emotional arc of a relationship — the excitement of infatuation, the intensity of connection, the pangs of heartbreak, and the bittersweet nostalgia that follows.
The album’s anchor is lead single American Dream, a sparkling pop anthem built on airy guitar riffs and a chorus that sticks after a single listen. Written about falling in love with someone from the U.S., the song captures the rush of an unexpected romance. “It’s one of my favourite songs I’ve ever written,” Linley reflects. “I was obviously born and raised in South Africa, but much to my surprise, I ended up falling in love with somebody from America. It hit me out of the blue. It’s definitely an embodiment of everything I want my music to be.”
Elsewhere, previous singles such as Cinematic, First Love, and Up At Night build on that theme, offering glossy, infectious slices of pop inspired as much by the escapism of romantic comedies as by his own lived experiences.
Linley recorded much of the album in Los Angeles alongside long-term collaborators and executive producers David Balshaw and Bubele Booi (The Imports). Their sessions pulled from a wide spectrum of influences, from the stadium-filling melodies of Coldplay and One Direction to the storytelling charm of classic rom-coms like Notting Hill, About Time, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
The result is a record that feels cinematic in scope yet grounded in raw emotion. Strings, synths, and crisp beats frame Linley’s expansive vocals, while his lyrics strike a balance between intimate honesty and universal relatability. It’s pop music with both polish and heart.
Though Don’t Cry Because It’s Over is Linley’s debut LP, his rise over the past few years has been swift. After his breakout TikTok hit miss me (when you’re gone) in 2022 — now boasting over 27 million Spotify streams — he followed up with the kill all my feelings EP in the same year and the Magic EP in 2023, which delivered fan favourites such as Last Call (34 million streams and counting).
Live, Linley has already made his mark on both sides of the Atlantic. His 2024 Magic Tour saw him sell out shows across the U.S., and he went on to play festivals including Lollapalooza, Barn On The Farm, and Rocking The Daisies. He’s also supported stadium giants OneRepublic on tour, further cementing his status as one of the most exciting young voices in global pop.
With over 100 million streams already behind him, Don’t Cry Because It’s Over feels like both a milestone and a launchpad for Linley. The album’s mix of anthemic highs and introspective lows positions him as an artist who can sit comfortably on festival main stages while still connecting one-on-one through songs that feel deeply personal.
And the story is far from finished: Will Linley has promised more new music to come soon, signalling that his creative momentum is only just getting started.
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