Queer creative Toby Corton releases his jazz-infused single Cherub Child / Boys Don’t Cry.

Co-produced by Toby Corton with Earl Saga (Finn Askew, J.Grrey, Arlo Parks, Easy Life) and mixed by John Hendicott (Jamie Woon, Chipmunk, Nick Mulvey), Cherub Child is about the process queer members of society go through where their instinctive, pure, innocent and angelic ways of expressing themselves are put through this constrictive filter of growing up in a straight world.

Cherub Child is a beautiful dark-soul track with elements of dream-pop with woozy guitars throughout. With a message that will be relatable for the queer community.

Toby explains, “I think I was very aware even from a young age that I was queer, even if I didn’t know what it meant, I had a constant feeling of difference. Even now, I sometimes catch myself in certain situations tacitly apologising or obfuscating my queerness so it's not the first thought someone has about me, because for a very long time my first thoughts in every social situation was, ‘do you think they can tell? Will they treat me differently when they do know’. I’m very much singing to myself, telling myself to keep going and following my queer-intuition.”

A fitting B-side to Cherub Child, this Boys Don’t Cry cover is quintessentially Toby. The 1980 original was a meditation on the way young British men feel a pressure to conform to this idea of not being vulnerable and maintaining a stiff upper lip.

Boys Don’t Cry a downtempo acoustic guitar lead track with a poignant message.

Toby elaborates, “having seen The Cure live, I really resonated with Robert Smith’s lyrics and I feel that it still has so much resonance today. I read an interview about him having a moment of clarity whilst performing on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury and being struck by its ‘contemporary resonance’ whilst looking out to see all the rainbow striped flags flying. I really connected to the way the song questions the bullshit we're indoctrinated by, with particular reference to stereotypes and ideals. Pairing the two tracks together was never intended but just seemed to fit. One’s about unpacking the nonsense and the other one a message through time to myself when I was trying to navigate it. More than anything I love the rebellious ethos behind the message. After all, what’s more punk than a fully grown man balling his eyes out?”

Toby’s previous supporters include the likes of Dazed, Clash Magazine, Earmilk and GX Magazine, as well as BBC Introducing Essex. Toby has already racked up over 500,000 views for his COLORS show and he has also previously performed at London Pride after winning the Emerging Artist competition in 2017. The talented singer-songwriter has developed from acoustic performances to now working with a full live band, selling-out their second only ever live gig together at Servant Jazz Quarters in East London and playing to a capacity audience at The Windmill in Brixton. 2021 will see Toby Corton come into his own with new music, watch this queer space…

Be sure to follow for Toby Corton the latest. His music - including Cherub Child / Boys Don’t Cry available to stream now.