With the release of “Coast to Coast,” a new six-song EP, on Tuesday (Sept. 20) teen star Cody Simpson tells Billboard.com that he’s ready to reach a bigger audience — and show off a more adult side of his songwriting.
“I’ve matured a lot,” says the 14-year-old Simpson. “[‘Coast to Coast’] is very emotional. It’s stuff that I think a lot of people can connect [with].”
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Simpson’s sound has certainly evolved since the Australia native released his debut EP, “4 U,” late last year. “On My Mind,” the first taste of “Coast to Coast,” was released this spring, and the slow jam’s video has amassed over 6.5 million views on YouTube since its release in June.
Video: Cody Simpson, “On My Mind”
“Coast to Coast” builds upon the pop energy of “4U,” but the young star has bigger things on the horizon: a video for the ballad “Not Just You” that will debut in October, as well as a full-length album set for early 2012.
“It’ll definitely show more of who I am as an artist,” says Simpson of his debut album. “I’m just going to keep growing and improving as an artist, and hopefully my music will do that with me.”
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After embarking on a co-headlining tour with Greyson Chance earlier this year, Simpson recently wrapped a U.S. headlining trek. The singer will appear on “Ellen” on Sept. 27, and has upcoming appearances on “Extreme Home Makeover,” “Live with Regis & Kelly,” and Nickelodeon’s “Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures,” among other TV shows.