Johanna Samuels Reveals “Sorry, Kid” Album with Tyler Ballgame Collaboration “Circles”

Johanna Samuels has made a comeback, releasing singles like “White Limousine” with Courtney Marie Andrews in March and “Two People, The Moon” last month, in anticipation of her new album “Sorry, Kid.” This album follows the well-received “Bystander” from 2023. The latest offering from the album is the track “Circles,” featuring Tyler Ballgame.

Reflecting on “Circles,” Samuels shares that she wrote the song when she was 20, living in New York City and deeply immersed in studying Elliott Smith’s music. She drew inspiration from the infinity symbol and the Schoolhouse Rock song “Figure 8,” finding profound meaning in them at the time. The track delves into the concept of feeling deeply while also experiencing numbness, creating beautiful music, fostering community, and witnessing war and violence simultaneously. Samuels hopes that beneath it all, there is a fundamental kindness and goodness that prevails, where love and honesty ultimately triumph.

Revisiting the song after many years, Samuels recognizes that “Circles” explores the idea that each of us is a mini universe of unique experiences, capable of processing only a limited amount of truth at a time. She likens the cycles of growth and learning to the movements of the figure 8, repeating to help us evolve with time and an open-hearted approach.

“Sorry, Kid” was recorded on tape with producer Jonathan Rado of Foxygen, along with additional production by Patrick Damphier. The album features collaborations with artists such as Courtney Marie Andrews, Tyler Ballgame, Madison Cunningham, Erin Rae, and Jordan Lehning. A standout track on the album is “Blue Vs. Pinkerton,” paying homage to Weezer’s iconic albums. The release of “Circles” comes with a vibrant music video directed by Sydney Morin.

The tracklist for the album includes a variety of songs like “White Limousine,” “Rare (The Runner Song),” “Circles,” “Blue Vs. Pinkerton,” “Two People, The Moon,” “Full Story,” “Bats,” “The Kind One,” “Grade 11 (Sorry Kid),” “Do What I Can,” and “Indelible Within Her.”

Fans can catch Johanna Samuels live at Zebulon in Los Angeles on August 15th and at Union Pool in New York on August 25th. “Sorry, Kid” is scheduled for release on August 14th via Odd Man Out Recordings / Jealous Butcher.