The nine-track release unravels openness with riveting sincerity
With the release of his debut solo album, Lost & Found, under Sony Music Entertainment today, Josh Cullen shares candidly about his past injuries and inner battles.
The nine-track album embraces vulnerability and suffering, not shying away from subjects that are frequently viewed as a sign of weakness. Here, the SB19 leader offers a raw and authentic glimpse into his life as he navigates previous traumas, rises above their wreckage to find hope in an often cruel world, and seizes his creative agency by sharing an uplifting tale of resiliency.
The acclaimed P-Pop singer-songwriter explains, “This album explores themes of pain and suffering, redemption, and the strength of human resilience, inspired by my inner truth. In Lost and Found, I wrote about the pain that never truly goes away, the trauma that lingers long after we think our wounds have healed, and discovering strength within ourselves.”
Lost & Found, taken as a listening experience, shows Josh Cullen’s songwriting strengths in its unfiltered sense. He doesn’t mince words about the pressures and fakery of the industry, and even in exploring his recollections of childhood, he surmounts the dreadful experience of having to go through the bins all over again, with nothing but a pen as armor. Josh treats vulnerability as a form of refuge: it stings and lingers, but its effect only fuels his spirit as a storyteller.
He points out, “I know what it means to be lost and found. I’ve experienced being lost throughout my life, sometimes trapped between trying to process all these intense emotions while desperately hoping to be found. I hope to connect with my fans and listeners who have been through the same journey or are going through the same.”
Sonically speaking, Lost & Found marks a vital vibe shift from the rap/urban-leanings of his pre-album era to a more amorphous musical strain that blends emo, pop-punk, and alt-rock sensibilities with producer-driven hip-hop and R&B influences. Moving towards genre-defiant territory, Josh’s unmistakable chameleonic presence, coupled with his affinity for emotionally captivating lyrics and inescapable hooks, makes Lost & Found a more intriguing but enjoyable effort.
Lost & Found shimmers with tension and pull, and surprisingly rolls with effortless transition from one sound to another. From the hard-hitting, guitar-rock swells of “1999,” where he navigates the harsh realities of life, to the suave electro-pop strums of “See Me,” where he shares the beautiful, glowing feeling of finding happiness in someone else’s love and presence. Other notable tracks are the acoustic ballad “Honest,” the ceiling-punching anthem “No Control,” and the seductive and melancholic “Lights Out,” featuring Mo of the P-Pop duo Alamat.
Check out the Lost & Found track list below:
1. 1999
2. See Me
3. Silent Cries
4. Honest
5. No Control (ft. (e)motion engine)
6. Lights Out (ft. Alamat Mo)
7. Sumaya
8. Silent Cries (Instrumental)
9. No Control (Instrumental)
Josh Cullen’s new album, Lost & Found is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
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