Every once in a while, an artist emerges not with fanfare, but with depth. With vulnerability, with honesty, with something to say. Callum Ford’s debut album Slow Progress, released on March 21, 2025, doesn’t try to dazzle with overproduced gloss or empty hooks—it grows on you. And that’s the point. It’s an album built on patience, process, and pure creative chemistry. The irony of the title lies in its intention; Slow Progress is, in fact, a confident leap forward.
Crafted over the span of three years in collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Filip Przybyla, the album’s origin story is rooted in spontaneity. What began as a chance freestyle session turned into a deep creative partnership. Together, Callum and Filip transformed a homegrown, makeshift studio into a fertile ground for experimentation, layering freestyle energy over meticulously curated production.
Slow Progress is a genre-defying body of work, drawing on Callum’s influences ranging from Mac Miller and The Notorious B.I.G. to Dominic Fike. But this isn’t a copy-paste of inspirations—it’s a refraction of them through Callum’s lived experience. It’s alternative hip-hop filtered through raw R&B textures, sprinkled with guitar-driven rock outbursts and understated pop sensibilities. It’s the sound of figuring things out in real time, one vulnerable verse at a time.
The album opens with “Do It Like This,” a sly but commanding introduction to Ford’s laid-back charisma. There’s a calm self-assurance to his flow that instantly sets the tone. Tracks like “Laid Back (Freestyle)” and “I’ll Quit Tomorrow” feel like entries in a journal—conversational, messy, human. These early cuts capture the uncertainty of youth, particularly the wrestling match between aspiration and self-sabotage.
As the album unfolds, so does Callum’s range. “Most Obvious Way” and “A Polite Breakup” lean into melodic vulnerability, touching on fractured relationships with lyrical restraint rather than melodrama. These tracks aren’t tearjerkers—they’re aftershocks, exploring the numbness and subtle ache of letting go. “400 Degrees” turns the temperature up, delivering one of the album’s sharpest sonic left turns with blistering verses and a jagged beat, hinting at the duality within Callum’s artistic voice.
Then comes the sweet center of the album: “The Real Thing.” This track is a standout—a smooth, soulful slice of alt-R&B that reveals the romantic side of Callum’s pen. Filip’s production shines here, offering velvety textures and a loose rhythm section that lets the song breathe. It’s here that you start to understand the depth of this collaboration; nothing feels rushed, nothing forced.
The back half of Slow Progress leans further into emotional introspection. “Supernova” is ethereal and expansive, a slow-burn reflection on self-worth and the desire to make an impact. “Silent Type” brings a lo-fi intimacy, a whisper in a loud world. “Evil Schemes,” meanwhile, introduces jagged guitar riffs and angsty energy, showcasing a rock influence that doesn’t feel out of place—it feels earned.
By the time “What I Like” and “Borderline” close the album, it’s clear that Callum Ford has crafted something cohesive yet restless. These aren’t radio singles thrown together for streaming metrics. They’re vignettes, stitched together with intent. “Borderline” in particular feels like an emotional thesis, dealing with internal tension, identity, and the unresolved threads of growing up.
What makes Slow Progress exceptional as a debut is its sense of space—both in sound and in spirit. Callum and Filip didn’t just make songs; they built moments. The DIY ethos is present in every track, not as a compromise but as an advantage. The freedom to create without commercial pressure resulted in music that feels raw, real, and repeatable.
Though Callum has yet to perform these tracks live, rehearsals are underway, and if the thoughtfulness behind the album is any indication, his future stage presence will be one to watch. There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t rush into the spotlight but prepares for it, brick by brick.\
Slow Progress isn’t just the name of a debut album—it’s a mission statement. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t linear, that artistry takes time, and that some of the best things in life develop slowly, deliberately, and in the shadows before they ever see the light. With this release, Callum Ford isn’t just introducing himself—he’s inviting listeners to evolve with him. And that’s a journey well worth taking.
