Since the release of Joshua Bassett’s singles and EPs, fans have been eagerly anticipating his debut full album. After more than 4 years in the making, the album has finally arrived and is a must-listen from start to finish. It features 11 tracks that range from upbeat dance anthems, and heartfelt messages to friends, to a touching collaboration with Jenna Raine and introspective letters to different versions of himself.
The Golden Years reflects Joshua Bassett’s personal growth, acting as a heartfelt letter to his past self and summarizing the past five years of his career. It’s a combination of Folk, Indie, Dance, and Pop music he listened to while growing up and the music he wanted to hear when he needed to say something. Since early May, he’s teased snippets of the album on TikTok and Instagram, keeping fans excited. The album cover, released two weeks prior to the official launch, mirrors the delicacy of the songs, with the Golden Tree symbolizing prosperity and the passage of time during its creation.
This album, created with Music Engineer Jeremy Hatcher (known for his work with Harry Styles and Maggie Rogers) and producer Tommy English (who has collaborated with Kacey Musgraves and BØRNS), features a mix of poignant tracks. The opening track, “Biting My Tongue,” features a tranquil guitar melody paired with lyrics that reflect regret over words left unsaid. Recently, Josh shared that the lyrics are not about unspoken words but rather about those he struggled to find at the time, leading to a sense of frustration that shaped the song’s concept. Whereas, “Don’t Let Me Down,” featuring Jenna Raine, is a mellow guitar and piano duet that delves into the complexities of maintaining a past relationship while navigating personal struggles from both perspectives. . Fans may compare this song’s lyrics to Josh’s previous songs on his EPs: “We made a mess, but we were just kids then / Gave it our best, we fell off the deep end / I can’t forget the way that you held me, dear.”
“Wildfire” feels like it belongs on a YA friends-to-lovers playlist, especially for the story’s conflict. Instead of addressing someone directly, it narrates the ups and downs of a relationship with lyrics like, “Oh, you asked for a light, now we started a wildfire.” The song echoes Josh’s song “Smoke Slow,” which also uses metaphors of light coming from fire, smoke, and the highlights of a relationship that once felt like a daydream.
The final two tracks explore personal growth, feelings of loss, and honesty. “Mirror” is a poignant song that delves into Bassett’s vulnerabilities, addressing lost time and a sense of losing himself and his innocence. While deeply personal, it resonates with long-time fans who have grown alongside him. The lyrics, “Won’t somebody help me, I don’t recognize the face in the mirror, there’s nowhere to hide. I’ve lost my mind,” capture this sentiment powerfully.
“Look How Far You’ve Come” is the last song on the album. It is a reflection of both how far he has come and how far the fans have come after following his journey for several years. On a recent discord chat he told fans: ‘I wrote the lyrics 4 years ago and the vocals in the chorus are both then and now, so I am doubting myself 4 years ago. How meta.’ It is a love letter to Josh’s past and current self and a reminder to keep going even when times are tough or not in his favor.
This is no doubt to be Josh’s first no skip album that will make you feel all the feels. Fans can find references to Josh’s others songs in this album and may recognize some familiar themes within the lyricism. Stream the album here and don’t forget to purchase a ticket for The Golden Years Tour here.
