Gavin Cole recently released his long awaited, debut EP, Heartshaped. Check out the full EP and review below!
About Gavin Cole
Gavin Cole is an emerging emo-pop artist making waves with his powerful vocals and emotionally charged songwriting. Originally from Centreville, VA, Gavin found his connection to music early on, using it as an outlet to express the complexities of life and emotion. Blending raw emo influences with catchy pop melodies, his sound strikes a balance between vulnerability and hook-driven appeal. With each song, Gavin invites listeners into his world, offering honest reflections that resonate on a deeply personal level.
The New EP
“Sink or Swim”
The EP opens with “Sink or Swim,” which might be the most emotionally charged track of the three. Here, Gavin tackles the inner battle between pushing forward or giving in — survival mode versus surrender. The verses feel intimate and almost hesitant, but as the chorus builds, so does the emotional intensity. The layered production creates a kind of sonic wave that mirrors the song’s central metaphor — you can feel the push and pull, the weight of making choices that define who you are. It’s a powerful closer that leaves you with a sense of quiet triumph, like finding strength in vulnerability rather than pretending it doesn’t exist.
“Be Kind, Rewind”
This track takes things into more introspective territory. “Be Kind, Rewind” plays like a rewind button on a complicated relationship or personal history, reflecting on mistakes and what could have been done differently. There’s a nostalgic undercurrent running through the song — the production has a slightly retro, almost dreamy quality, like flipping through old memories. Gavin’s vocals feel extra raw here, balancing that soft vulnerability with an honesty that hits hard. The melody is smooth and incredibly catchy, but it’s the emotional depth underneath that really sticks with you. It’s reflective without being bitter — more like someone trying to make peace with the past rather than dwell in regret.
“Heart Shaped”
The title track sets the tone for the entire project. “Heart Shaped” feels like that late-night confession you finally say out loud when you’re alone, vulnerable, and tired of pretending everything’s okay. The production is sleek but understated — gentle synths and soft percussion let Gavin’s voice really carry the weight of the lyrics. There’s a beautiful balance between heartbreak and hope here. You can feel the ache behind the words, but also the quiet strength of someone learning to accept where they’re at emotionally. It’s the kind of track that immediately draws you into his headspace, making you feel like you’re sitting right beside him while he works through it all.
Even though Heart Shaped is a smaller project, it feels like a strong step forward for Gavin Cole. He’s finding that sweet spot between polished production and raw emotion, never letting one overpower the other. There’s a real sense of maturity in the songwriting here — he’s not afraid to sit with complicated feelings and let them unfold naturally. Every track feels intentional, like a carefully chosen piece of a much bigger story he’s starting to tell.
What did you think of the new Gavin Cole EP? Stay tuned to MusicOnTheRox.com for all your music news and reviews.
