Joshua Radin owns up to his romantic failings in his bittersweet new folk-pop single Man Of The Year — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The deeply personal new single is the first taste of the singer-songwriter’s upcoming EP though the world will tell me so, volume 2, out June 23 via Nettwerk. Featuring his signature acoustic guitar and gentle vocals, Man Of The Year finds Radin exploring his personal struggles with intimacy and vulnerability. “I build walls around myself,” Radin shares, “always terrified of being hurt, making myself too vulnerable, which is I’m sure why the music I write is the exact opposite — I try to create a world in which I want to live.
“I wrote this song for someone who scares me,” Radin adds. “Actually, I write a lot of songs for the very few people in my life who scare me in some way, the ones who I feel could hurt me. I was thinking this might be a song that could find its way on to the radio, calling out to her through speakers, letting her know that I won’t run away from her anymore, that I’m ready to be the best version of myself.”
The followup to though the world will tell me so, volume 1, the breathtaking collection of songs featured on Radin’s upcoming EP were inspired by his time on the road in 2022. Rather than wait for inspiration to strike, Radin seeks it out wherever possible. To that end, in the fall of 2022, he left his material existence in the rearview, grabbed a backpack, packed his guitar, picked up a pen and a pad, and sought new stories to tell. “I felt like I was going to live the life of a kid on a gap year after high school,” he smiles. “However, it has helped my writing and my soul. I feel so much freer.”
He’s certainly earned this season. Back in 2004, Joshua emerged as an empathetic, engaging, and often enthralling troubadour. Over the years, he’s tallied north of 1 billion streams, moved 1 million-plus albums worldwide, and even scored a gold certification for the single I’d Rather Be With You. His music has appeared in over 200 films, TV series and commercials. In addition to multiple showstopping appearances on Ellen (who also enlisted him to perform at her wedding) and The Today Show, as well as performances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! and Conan, he contributed Brand New Day to a commercial in support of the troops at the request of First Ladies Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. He played to sold-out crowds around the globe and shared the stage with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Imogen Heap and The Script. Not to mention, he’s a staunch philanthropist who supports Little Kids Rock and North Shore Animal League America , among others. Thus far his catalog consists of nine full-length offerings highlighted by fan favorites such as We Were Here, Simple Times, Underwater, Wax Wings and Here, Right Now, to name a few. though the world will tell me so follows the release of Radin’s latest full-length album The Ghost and The Wall, which came out in 2021 to widespread acclaim.
Leaving his life behind and traveling with nothing more than the essentials (and enough tools to be creative), Radin recorded the new material in places such as Stockholm, Paris, and Lisbon. Tracks from volume 1 like the softly anthemic I’m Just Different, the piano-laden Broken, and Running From The Dawn instantly reacted with audiences, as the EP generated over 2 million streams and counting. On its heels, the full picture came into focus with the follow-up though the world will tell me so, volume 2. Gems he’s learned as of late glisten at the heart of the five-track EP. Essentially penned in the track order, the momentum moves forward in tandem with these realizations.
“Throughout the album, I’d say the common thread is this,” he elaborates. “For my entire life, I’ve felt like the world was telling me something which I didn’t necessarily agree with. I’ve always thought about how to do things a bit differently, whether it’s the way I wrote, recorded, or released this album or the way I’ve been living my life, it’s somewhat of a rebellion against the way the world says these things are supposed to be or happen.
“We’re always being told different things depending on which country we’re in and what corporation is in control,” he notes. “Every time the world’s telling me something it depends on which region I’m in. So the more regions I travel to, the more different experiences I’m going to have. I’ve realized my soul is aided by hopping on a different train and not knowing the destination. Every day is like a clean slate. I just know my purpose is to step on stage and try to make people feel. When fans come to my concerts, they don’t come to dance or party; they come to feel something. I write songs to connect with the rest of the world.”
Radin is currently in the midst of a European tour, and has just announced a 27-date US tour, which will take him from coast to coast this fall:
Joshua Radin Tour Dates
Friday, Sept. 8 – Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX*
Saturday, Sept. 9 – The 04 Center – Austin, TX*
Sunday, Sept. 10 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX*
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – The Saturn – Birmingham, AL*
Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Franklin Theater – Franklin, TN*
Thursday, Sept. 14 – Franklin Theater – Franklin, TN*
Friday, Sept. 15 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA*
Saturday, Sept. 16 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA*
Sunday, Sept. 17 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC*
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA*
Wednesday, Sept. 20 – Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA*
Friday, Sept. 22 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY*
Saturday, Sept. 23 – The Center For The Arts – Natick, MA*
Sunday, Sept. 24 – The Kate – Old Saybrook, CT
Tuesday, Sept. 26 – The Supper Club – Cleveland, OH
Wednesday, Sept. 27 – The Great Hall – Toronto, ON
Thursday, Sept. 28 – The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI
Friday, Sept. 29 – Old Town School of Folk Music – Chicago, IL
Saturday, Sept. 30 – Cedar Cultural Center – St. Paul, MN
Sunday, Oct. 1 – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
Tuesday, Oct. 3 – Washington’s Foco – Fort Collins, CO
Wednesday, Oct. 4 – The Bluebird – Denver, CO
Friday, Oct. 6 – Musical Instrument Museum – Phoenix, AZ
Saturday, Oct. 7 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday, Oct. 10 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, Oct. 11 – The Sofia – Sacramento, CA
Friday, Oct. 13 – The Aladdin – Portland, OR
* with Maddie Poppe
Check out Man Of The Year above, sample more from Joshua Radin below, and keep up with him on his website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
