Dean Lewis - The Epilogue (Deluxe) (2025) [Hi-Res]

Eight years after his first single and five after his debut album, The Epilogue marks the end of Dean Lewis’ first era as an artist as well as a significant revelation: “My whole philosophy changed when I realised I spent the last eight years chasing success,” the Sydney-born singer-songwriter tells Apple Music. “I attached my self-worth to the numbers. How the songs are doing, if the shows are selling out, how my TikToks are doing. I fell into that trap. So this album is me saying goodbye to that whole period of my life.”

“Waves” and “Be Alright” were multi-platinum, chart-topping singles that appeared in TV shows and advertisements, got remixed and covered, and earned Lewis a global fanbase, but that isn't the kind of success he's looking for with his third album. “I don’t need a song to go viral, and viral doesn't necessarily even mean it's good,” he says. “Social media gave me a second chance, so, as much as I appreciate it and I’m used to it, I just want to release great songs. Instead of focusing on constantly selling myself, I'm more interested in the stories, the world of the songs.”

It's those songs and stories that resonate most on The Epilogue. Some are about specific people, like old friends and past lovers. Elsewhere, he draws personal experiences together to tell something broader, but no less meaningful. “I'm writing songs that I want people to hear about my life in the most specific ways,” he says. “People won’t connect to music if it’s just for them, because you can’t only write for other people. It’s got to be about you.” Read on for more insight into select tracks on Lewis’ third album.