Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-10-22
Halle Tomlinson continues the unfolding story of her forthcoming debut album, Archive, with “Linger,” a richly layered future-soul record about releasing old patterns, surrendering preconceived identities and finding the courage to venture into the unknown.
A vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Halle blends sultry Neo-soul and R&B vocals with hard-hitting, hip-hop-influenced production and sophisticated jazz harmony. Equally at home delivering an intimate vocal performance or building dense layers of harmony and instrumentation, her music bridges the warmth and musicianship of classic soul with a clean, modern production aesthetic.
After first gaining national attention on NBC’s The Voice, Halle became a staple of the Denver music scene and a recurring presence across Perception Records releases, collaborating with artists across genres while steadily developing a sound of her own. Most notably, she was featured on Gordo Flea’s breakout New York anthem “OMW” in April 2026, which surpassed one million Spotify streams within its first three months.
“Linger” is the third chapter in the narrative of Archive. The album’s opening single, “Move It Back,” introduced Halle caught in a frustrating cycle—the feeling that every two steps forward are followed by ten steps back. “Gold” turned inward, exploring self-worth and the process of recognizing the kind of love one deserves from a partner, from friends and family, and from oneself.
With “Linger,” Halle arrives at the first moment of true change.
The song does not represent the completion of letting go. Instead, it captures the realization that moving forward will require it. Halle begins to recognize that the habits, expectations and ideas she has carried about who she should be are the very things preventing her from becoming who she truly is.
The song’s evolution is reflected in a rich, collaborative recording that carries the physical force of modern hip-hop while preserving the warmth and movement of a live soul ensemble. Luke Titus’s powerful, hip-hop-influenced drums establish the song’s foundation, locking into Halle’s commanding, R&B- and jazz-infused bass performance to give the track both weight and harmonic movement. Andris Mattson’s Rhodes and Javier Santiago’s grand piano add warmth and depth, while guitars and synthesizers performed by Halle and Jay.Greens expand the record into a detailed, contemporary sonic environment.
Above that foundation, lush strings performed by violinist/violist Nick Kennerly and cellist Jean-Paul Barjon bring a sense of elegance and scale to the arrangement. Created by Jay.Greens and Halle Tomlinson, the string arrangement moves organically through the production, connecting the record’s live instrumentation to its modern rhythmic language. At the center of it all is Halle’s vocal performance, moving between vulnerability and quiet confidence as she confronts the uncertainty—and freedom—that comes with letting go.
“Linger” was written by Halle Tomlinson and Jay.Greens, produced by Jay.Greens and co-produced by Halle. It was recorded by Jay.Greens, with additional engineering from Farrokh Shroff and Elliot Anderson, at Perception Sound and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA. The track was mixed by Josh Fairman and mastered by Nick Townsend.
The ensemble gives “Linger” a sense of warmth, movement and scale while preserving the emotional intimacy at the center of Halle’s performance. Live drums, bass, guitars, Rhodes, grand piano, synthesizers and strings are woven into a modern production that feels richly detailed without losing its immediacy.
The result expands the “future-soul” language established throughout the campaign: analog recording techniques, live instrumentation and sophisticated harmony reshaped through contemporary sampling, editing and sonic manipulation. Rather than treating classic musicianship and modern production as opposing ideas, Halle and the Perception Records team use each to deepen the emotional impact of the other.
This balance is central to Archive, a body of work that follows Halle as she pursues her potential while attempting to preserve her humanity, joy and connection to the life unfolding around her. The album examines what happens when ambition becomes entangled with identity—and what must be recovered when the pursuit of progress begins to separate someone from the present.
Each release represents a distinct stage of that journey. “Move It Back” established the loop. “Gold” began the process of recognizing the value that exists independently of external validation. “Linger” marks the realization that self-knowledge alone is not enough: to move forward, Halle must release the expectations, fears and former versions of herself that continue to hold her in place.
Developed largely behind the scenes over more than two years, Archive brings together an ensemble of accomplished musicians, producers and collaborators to create Halle’s sonic and emotional world. The album was produced primarily at Perception Sound, Perception Records’ commercial recording studio in Downtown Los Angeles, with additional recording at Sunset Sound in Hollywood and Laskin Productions in Denver, CO.
Throughout the project, drums, strings, guitars, keyboards and layered vocals are recorded with the depth and intentionality of classic records, then sampled, reshaped and recontextualized into something distinctly current. The resulting sound carries the impact of modern hip-hop while preserving the harmony, musicianship and emotional intimacy integral to Halle’s identity.
About Halle Tomlinson
Halle Tomlinson is a vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Denver, Colorado. Blending Neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop and jazz influences, her work is rooted in expressive vocals, live musicianship and rich harmony. As a solo artist and collaborator, Halle has built a reputation for versatility, musical communication and a distinct creative voice that continues to evolve with each release.
