Los Angeles-based producer gnash (born Garrett Charles Nash) combined the emotional vulnerability of Bright Eyes with the sounds of laptop alt-R&B similar to the Weeknd's early releases. Gnash got his start as a DJ and then as one part of duo Gemineyes with Harry Hudson. In 2014, his reimagining of the O.T. Genasis track "CoCo" garnered attention from blogs, which led to a string of digital singles released in 2015. His debut EP, U, was released in March of the same year. A mellow, laid-back affair, U employed gnash's rapping over woozy atmospherics, bringing to mind Drake and Troye Sivan. One year later, he released his second EP, the seven-song us. Gnash described the emotive, downtempo us as his personal sonic journey through life's ups and downs -- breakups, self-discovery, searching for new experiences -- ultimately leading to loving one's self. Lead single "i hate u, i love u" featured a duet with Olivia O'Brien. A full roster of guest collaborators appeared on the EP, such as Compton rapper Buddy, Goody Grace, Mark Johns, Liphemra, Wrenn, Quin, and Rosabeales. "I hate u, i love u" would go on to surpass 350 million online streams, top the Australian charts, and enter the Billboard Top Ten in late 2016.

Neil Z. Yeung
AllMusic.com