Dylan Sinclair: The Highs, Lows and the ‘Sweet Life’

Dylan Sinclair on his new album - FOR THE BOY IN ME Toronto-based R&B artist Dylan Sinclair has grown into one of the most captivating voices in the genre, blending vulnerability and soul into a sound that is unmistakably his own. With the release of his latest project, FOR THE BOY IN ME , Sinclair takes his artistry to new heights, drawing from the best elements of his previous work to deliver a more mature, sensitive yet powerful sound. Every aspect of the album—from the carefully crafted lyrics to the meticulous production and thoughtful track sequencing—has been curated to create a cohesive, deeply personal body of work.  Sinclair sat down with The Floor Mag to discuss his musical evolution, the process of refining his sound, and the journey toward embracing his truest artistic self. When asked about the direction of FOR THE BOY IN ME , Sinclair emphasised that the project feels like the culmination of everything he’s experienced over the past few years, both musically and personally. “This album feels different—it’s like I’ve taken the lessons, the emotions, and even the mistakes from my earlier work and brought them into this space where I’m more comfortable with who I am,” he explained. “It’s not just about making a better album; it’s about making something that reflects where I am in my life right now.”  His response indicates how the album is more cohesive than his previous work. The transitions from track to track double as closing remarks for one song as well as an introduction to the next. “I wanted to create a project where every song fit together, like pieces of a larger story,” he shared. “That’s why I was so intentional about the track sequencing. The order of the songs really mattered to me, because I wanted the album to feel like a journey—from start to finish, it’s like you’re walking through my experiences with me.” The sequencing and overall direction of the project lends itself to Dylan’s journey the most. The opening number SWEET LIFE, in his words, represents the great points during the curation of the album. “ I’m in a brand new mood” is the ideal starting point of positivity for the exploration of the highs, the lows and everything in between. On the inverse, GOLDEN closes the body of work with a introspective and pensive outro that fully contrasts the lyrical content of SWEET LIFE . This is solidified with when he sings, “ I’m not in the same place as I was before”. He explained that the title itself— FOR THE BOY IN ME —represents a connection to his younger self. “It’s like I’m speaking to the parts of me that were scared or uncertain, and now I’m letting them be heard,” he revealed. “A lot of the album is about embracing those emotions, rather than trying to push them away.” Sinclair’s sound has always been grounded in vulnerability, which is a rare trait to manifest consistently in a young male artist. From Regrets to Black Creek Drive , not only does Sinclair’s discography speak on sensitive issues and topics through his lyrics, he does so with the tact of someone well beyond his years. However, FOR THE BOY IN ME  introduces a new level of sophistication and intentionality in both production and lyrical content. “I’ve definitely grown as an artist since my earlier projects,” he admitted. “With this album, I wanted the sound to reflect that growth. It’s still me—it still has that raw, soulful feel—but there’s more depth, more layers to it.” It’s important to note that there aren’t any features present on the album but collaboration was still a vital piece of the Dylan’s puzzle. He elaborated on the creative process behind the album, sharing how he collaborated closely with his producers to shape a sound that felt both authentic and evolved. “I’ve always been hands-on when it comes to production, but this time I really dove into the details,” Sinclair said. “We spent hours tweaking things, making sure every beat, every melody was right. I didn’t want to just throw a bunch of songs together—I wanted it to be a complete experience, where every element added something to the overall feel of the album.” In particular, the Canadian singer highlighted how the production on this project was crafted to evoke emotion. “It’s not just about the lyrics, it’s about how the music makes you feel,” he explained. “There are moments where the beat drops out, or where we used softer tones to really let the emotion shine through. Every sound, every note was chosen with that in mind.” And it’s evident. The production leaves no room for the artist to hide, the beats and rhythms are simple at their core, allowing Dylan’s voice to stand as the centrepiece for the entire album — something that is only possible with confidence in the strength of his vocal ability.  One of the most striking aspects of Sinclair’s music is his willingness to be open and vulnerable, a quality that’s even more prominent on FOR THE BOY IN ME . “This album is probably the most personal project I’ve ever made,” Sinclair said. “It’s about understanding myself on a deeper level, especially those parts of me that I’ve hidden or been afraid to face.” It’s apparent openness and transparency isn’t just a lyrical tool—it’s a driving force in how he approaches his music. “Being vulnerable in my music is scary, but it’s also where the magic happens,” he said. “That’s where people connect with you, because they can feel that you’re being real. It’s not about trying to sound perfect, it’s about being honest.” As an artist, there’s often pressure to continuously evolve or reinvent oneself. But for him, the focus has always been on staying true to his instincts. “There’s this expectation that you need to top your last project or experiment with new sounds to stay relevant, but that’s not how I approach it,” he shared... “For me, it’s about doing what feels right in the moment. I don’t want to chase trends—I want to make music that speaks to me and, hopefully, to the people who listen.” He also touched on the personal struggles he’s faced while navigating his growth as both an artist and an individual. “There have been moments where I questioned if I was doing the right thing, if my sound was evolving the way it needed to,” Sinclair admitted. “But at the end of the day, I realised that my journey is my own, and I have to trust that. The growth will come naturally if I’m being honest with myself.” With FOR THE BOY IN ME , Dylan Sinclair has solidified his place as a leading voice in R&B, offering a sound that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable. As he continues to grow as an artist, Sinclair remains focused on creating music that feels authentic to who he is. “I’m still learning, still evolving,” he said. “But what matters most to me is that the music stays true to where I am in my life. That’s the only way I know how to create.” For now, Sinclair is excited to see how FOR THE BOY IN ME  resonates with listeners. “I put so much of myself into this album, and I hope people feel that when they hear it,” he said. “It’s a reflection of where I’ve been, but also where I’m going—and I can’t wait to keep growing from here.”