Back with his sophomore single, Rob Mawer explores the toxic concept of success in 27 Club.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Nina Ullrich

27 Club has a suitably melancholic rock arrangement that channels elements of ‘60s psychedelia, Spaghetti Western soundtracks, and Pet Shop Boy’s style electronic pop.

Lyrically the track explores the phenomenon of famous artists who pass away early at the age of 27. The ‘club’ includes Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. It uses the concept to explore a more everyday issue.

“I wrote 27 Club in response to my own anxieties around aging—that somehow success should be total before 30,” says Mawer. “Every musician battles with the feeling of not having ‘made it’ by a certain age, and I feel there should be a broader conversation about how toxic this idea can be.”

We’ve been fans of Rob Mawer from the start, sharing his debut single, Cairo, to these pages in March 2025. I loved how the track played it fast and loose with structure while staying accessible, and 27 Club continues this trend while giving us a new side to Mawer’s sound.

The London-based artist, who is originally from North Yorkshire, is showing he’s on the right track when it comes to his music. I can’t wait to hear how it pans out, no matter how many years it takes, and how successful he becomes.27 Club is out now, and you can give it a listen below.