Friday marked the release of the highly-anticipated new project from multi-hyphenate artist and director Wesley Joseph. GLOW, released via esteemed independent label Secretly Canadian contains eight tracks of love, loss, anxiety, and joy about coming of age at a time of unprecedented change.
GLOW arrives hot on the heels of Joseph’s most recent single “SUGAR DIVE” feat. DEAN, and it’s beautiful visual counterpart. The track pairs ethereal Curtis Mayfield-esque soul with a garage beat and bathes it all in a haunting echo. Joseph’s delicate falsetto serves as a refreshing sweetener when paired with a low-slung bass that wanders rhythmically—a deep and earthy contrast to the snappy nature of the percussive drums and airy atmosphere.
The project was also preceded by “MONSOON”, “HIATUS” (which was accompanied by a critically acclaimed COLORS live-performance) and “COLD SUMMER”. Each respective single is artfully represented in visual form, with all of the music videos directed by Wesley Joseph. The multi-dimensional GLOW project additionally features a wealth of decorated production credits, including A.K Paul, Leon Vynehall, and Lexxx.
Showcasing his range across songwriting, performing, and production—not to mention his flawless transitions between singing and rapping, between character studies and raw emotional honesty—it’s a stunningly beautiful work that makes it clear Joseph’s on the path to becoming a world-changing talent.
2021 saw Joseph release his debut project ULTRAMARINE to critical acclaim, earning accolades across the music and fashion worlds, including the likes of The FADER, GQ, i-D, Pigeons & Planes,Vogue and more. Previous collaborators are broad ranging and expertly selected, including Jorja Smith, Loyle Carner, A.K. Paul, Joy Orbison, Leon Vynehall, and Dave Okumu. 2022 was another standout year; Joseph was named in Vevo’s Artists To Watch 2023, nominated for an AIM award nomination and was featured on Loyle Carner’s lauded new album hugo. Joseph shows no sign of slowing down this year, starring in SPIN’s ‘15 Artists to Watch in 2023’, Apple Music’s ‘Ones To Watch 2023’ list, Amazon Music’s 2023 Breakthrough Artists to Watch UK, DIY Magazine’s Class of 23’, i Newspaper’s Stars For 2023 and a BBC Radio 1 Future Artist Of The Month inclusion.
Wesley Joseph will play his first-ever US dates in April, marking his first headline appearances following his sold out debut London performance at XOYO in May 2022—which featured a surprise guest appearance from Jorja Smith—and will follow an upcoming sold-out UK tour in February and March with Loyle Carner.
It is clear with the release of GLOW, Joseph is firmly on the path to becoming an all-encompassing, world-altering talent.
Listen to the full GLOW album right here.