Photo by Alysse Gafkjen
I've been a fan of Ben Folds for a long, long time. I first saw Ben Folds Five way back in 1996 at Mama Kin in Boston for the whopping ticket price of $5.00. I'm visible in the DVD that came with Live back in 2002. But, his more recent releases have been hit or miss with me. It's been eight years since he released an album, and now Folds is back with an upcoming album. The first single from that album, "Winslow Gardens," is exactly what I want from Folds in 2023. It may not have the same edge that his music did in 1996, but I certainly don't, either. This is a piano focused (obviously) pop track that is pure Adult Contemporary magic. It has just the right amount of Folds' humor while still being a serious song about isolating with a loved one. If you've fallen off the Ben Folds bandwagon, "Winslow Gardens" is a great jumping back on point.
Ben Folds says of his upcoming album:
“I come from the vinyl era, and this perhaps more than any record I’ve made is a true album. There’s a very specific sequence and arc to each side, all building up to this almost surreal positive finale, and that structure was really important to me. More than anything, I wanted to make an album that was generous, that was useful. I want you to finish this record with something you didn’t have when you started.”
You can listen to "Winslow Gardens" below. What Matters Most is due out June 2 on New West Records. The album can be pre-ordered here. For more on Ben Folds, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.
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