On February 15th, Ben Folds announced that his first album in eight years, What Matters Most, will be released on June 2nd, 2023.
On the same day, the American singer-songwriter shared the album’s first single ‘Winslow Gardens’, his first release since So there, his 2015 collaboration with ymusic ensemble. It’s been even longer since Folds’ most recent solo album, Way To Normal, released back in 2008.
What Matters Most will feature collaborations with well-known artists Ruby Amanfu, dodie and Tall Heights. “There’s a lifetime of craft and experience all focused into this one record,” he explained in an interview. “Sonically, lyrically, emotionally, I don’t think it’s an album I could have made at any other point in my career”.
Describing the album’s structure, Folds explained “there’s a very specific sequence and arc to each side, all building up to this almost surreal positive finale”.
Since the 2015 release of So There, Folds has been busy pursuing other ventures, including becoming artistic advisor of the National Symphony Orchestra and composing pieces for both stage and screen. In 2019 he released his memoir A Dream About Lightning Bugs, detailing his life story, his love of music and reflecting on his artistic process.
In 2020 he also embarked on an Australian tour, but was forced to cancel halfway through due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus. Folds ended up living in Sydney for a year, using Patreon to make money. The singer hosted four streams per week, performing from his makeshift apartment. He also posted bonus footage and hosted Q&A’s with fans, piano classes, and an online songwriting tutorial.
Ben Folds will touring in Late March, collaborating with local orchestras, before embarking on a tour of Europe and the US following the album’s release.
What Matters Most track listing
1. ‘But Wait, There’s More’
2. ‘Clouds With Ellipses’ (feat. dodie)
3. ‘Exhausting Lover’
4. ‘Fragile’
5. ‘Kristine From The 7th Grade’
6. ‘Back To Anonymous’
7. ‘Winslow Gardens’
8. ‘Paddleboat’
9. ‘What Matters Most’
10. ‘Moments‘ (feat. Tall Heights)
