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Peter McPoland is no stranger to Ones to Watch. Around a year and a half ago, we welcomed the at-the-time 20-year-old singer-songwriter to the platform with the painstakingly beautiful single, “String Lights.” Since then, we’ve had the honor of watching McPoland grow and evolve from a bedroom pop singer to the CEO of indie folk, most notably with last year’s EP Slow Down. After a nine-month musical hiatus, McPoland is back and bolder than ever. In his latest release “Digital Silence,” the now-22-year-old is stepping his sound into a new world that is nothing short of declarative, unabashed, and ready for battle.

The best things in life are often unexpected, and “Digital Silence” is proof of just that. While the “Peter McPoland” sound we know and love is trademarked by raw, emotional vocals about love and life floating over pop-folk production, “Digital Silence” utilizes McPoland’s strengths in a way we’ve never heard.

McPoland has had enough, and he’s making sure we know. The track serves as McPoland’s outcry against everything that is wrong in the world, utilizing a dissonant feedback loop to accompany his angsty lyricism. Over distorted guitar riffs, upbeat drums, and glitchy vocal chops, McPoland sings, “Why don’t you get it? Can’t you get it? Understand. They’re gonna execute the mother to elevate the man. They’re gonna propagate the killer, eliminate the youth. They’re gonna blind date everyone until you love them too.” Listening to “Digital Silence” reminds me of black and white propaganda posters, young people marching down the streets, and lighting the world on fire.

McPoland isn’t alone in his angst; thousands of social media users have used “Digital Silence” as its soundtrack to speak out against gun violence and in support of the LGBTQ+ community. “Digital Silence” is proving to be more than just another song; it’s an anthem and a means for real-world change.

Accompanying the release of “Digital Silence” is its official visualizer. Directed by Zach Cooper, we observe McPoland in dark, moody liminal spaces as he co-exists with a bunch of little piggy friends. The visuals serve as an introduction to McPoland’s new era, where the natural and the digital collide to create something powerful. (Disclaimer: no piggies were harmed in the making of the video.)

McPoland shares, "It’s only up from here. No more slowing down, just speeding up. Thank you for waiting for me.”

This is only the beginning for McPoland; we can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Watch the "Digital Silence" visualizer below: