Singer and producer Cautious Clay has enjoyed a steady ascent with his atmospheric and evocative R&B tracks. He’s also rubbed elbows with the likes of John Mayer, Taylor Swift, and John Legend. • After studying international affairs at George Washington University and working briefly in real estate and advertising, Cautious Clay dedicated himself to music full-time in 2017, when he released his buzzy single “Cold War.” Taylor Swift would later interpolate that track for her 2019 song “London Boy.” • In 2018, he dropped his debut EP, Blood Type, soon followed by two more short projects: Resonance later that year, and Table of Context, featuring the John Mayer collaboration “Carry Me Away,” in 2019. • Another song with Mayer, “Swim Home,” was featured on the soundtrack to the Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why. • Clay cowrote three songs on John Legend’s 2020 album Bigger Love: “Actions,” “One Life,” and the title track.