Cautious Clay is among the more thoughtful and creative fusionists of contemporary pop and R&B. A singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose apt performing name is based on the birth name of Muhammad Ali, Clay has gradually built his discography since breaking through with the sparse and aching ballad “Cold War” (2017). Starting with Blood Type (2018), the Brooklyn-based artist has released three EPs, as well as the full-length Deadpan Love (2021), all the while heightening his commercial profile with connections to the likes of John Mayer, Taylor Swift, and John Legend.