The Golden Years is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Joshua Bassett, released on July 26, 2024, through Warner Records. The album was preceded by its title track as the lead single on May 17, and the second single "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes", on June 28, 2024.
| The Golden Years | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 26, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2022–2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:37 | |||
| Label | Warner | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Joshua Bassett chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from The Golden Years | ||||
| ||||
To promote the album, Bassett embarked on The Golden Years Tour, a headlining concert tour through North America and Europe, which started on July 30 and is set conclude on October 9, 2024.
Background and conception
editBassett rose to mainstream recognition for his role as Ricky Bowen in Disney+'s mockumentary musical drama series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019–2023);[1][2] he also performed, wrote, and produced music for the program.[3][4] In 2020, he signed with Warner Records.[5] Following the release of his self-titled debut extended play in March 2021,[6] Bassett released three more EPs and several singles in 2022 and 2023.[7][8][9]
He described his third EP Sad Songs in a Hotel Room (2022) as a "stepping stone" to his debut studio album, which he revealed "[wasn't] done yet".[10] In early 2023, Bassett revealed via his social media and in his cover story for the spring-summer issue of Behind The Blinds magazine—that the album was titled Complicated, at the time.[11][12]
On May 17, Bassett officially announced his debut album The Golden Years and its release date as July 26, 2024.[13] In a press release, he stated that the album "[encapsulates] the bitter-sweet nostalgia of [his] late teens and early twenties" and described it as a "love-letter to "the golden years" of his life [thus far]". He further said that it "spans the hope and heartbreak of [his] transition into adulthood. It's a genre-bending journal entry from the bottom of [his] heart."[9]
Release and promotion
editThe Golden Years was released on July 26, 2024, through Warner Records.[14] The album is available via download and streaming services.[13] On September 13, 2024 the album was also released on CD.
Singles
editThe title track was released as the lead single on May 17, 2024.[9] "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" was released as the second single on June 28, 2024.
Tour
editOn June 7, Bassett announced The Golden Years Tour, his third headlining tour, in support of the album, which visited North America and Europe.[15][16] Comprising 39 dates, it started on July 30 in Phoenix, Arizona, and concluded on October 9 in Copenhagen, Denmark.[17][16] Sign-up for the presale was available the same day as the announcement. The presale took place on June 11,[16] followed by the general sale on June 14.[18] Thomas Day served as the supporting act of the whole tour.
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Slant Magazine |    [19] |
The Golden Years received positive reviews from critics. Jeffrey Davies of Slant Magazine complimented the album's themes and lyrical content, with Bassett being praised for "maintaining a slower and steadier pace" with the songs.[19] Writing for Variety, Mike Wass called the album "an eclectic album that dabbles in everything from folk fare to disco-pop".[20]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Biting My Tongue" |
|
| 3:33 |
| 2. | "The Golden Years" |
|
| 3:31 |
| 3. | "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" |
|
| 3:38 |
| 4. | "Don't Let Me Down" (with Jenna Raine) |
|
| 3:46 |
| 5. | "Cherry Blossom" |
|
| 2:35 |
| 6. | "Circles" |
|
| 3:58 |
| 7. | "Wildfire" |
|
| 3:32 |
| 8. | "Little Rita" | Bassett |
| 3:45 |
| 9. | "Would Ya Tell Me" |
|
| 3:34 |
| 10. | "Mirror" |
|
| 4:23 |
| 11. | "Look How Far You've Come" |
|
| 3:22 |
| Total length: | 39:37 | |||
Note
- ^[c] signifies a co-producer
Personnel
editMusicians
- Joshua Bassett – lead vocals (all tracks), piano (tracks 2, 4–7, 9–11), synthesizer (2, 4, 6, 8–10), keyboards (2, 4, 8, 9), background vocals (3, 6, 9, 11), drums (4, 7, 8), synth bass (4, 9), glockenspiel (6), acoustic guitar (8, 11), percussion (8)
- Tommy English – slide guitar (tracks 1, 2, 5–8, 11), 12-string guitar (1, 5), programming (1, 10), bass guitar (1, 11), acoustic guitar (2, 3, 10), electric guitar (2–4, 8–11), synthesizer (2–4, 8–10), keyboards (2–4, 8, 9), background vocals (3, 6, 9), drum programming (3, 9), synth bass (3), drums (4, 6, 8–11), percussion (8), glockenspiel (10)
- Jeremy Hatcher – programming (tracks 1, 10), synthesizer (2–4, 8–10), keyboards (2–4, 8, 9), bass guitar (2, 3, 5–10), electric guitar (2, 3, 9–11), acoustic guitar (2, 8, 10, 11), drum programming (3, 6, 7, 9), 12-string guitar (6, 8)
- Aksel Coe – drums (tracks 1, 2, 5), percussion (1)
- Gabe Simon – nylon-strung guitar (track 1)
- Valeria Falcón – bass guitar (track 4)
- João Perrusi – electric guitar (track 4)
- Jenna Raine – vocals (track 4), background vocals (11)
- Zane Carney – electric guitar (tracks 5, 7, 8)
- Christine Konopasky – background vocals (track 8)
- Luke Konopasky – background vocals (track 8)
- Rita Konopasky – background vocals (track 8)
- Woody Bassett – percussion (track 10)
Technical
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Geoff Swan – mixing
- Lewis Chapman – mixing (track 3)
- Tommy English – engineering
- Jeremy Hatcher – engineering
- Ed McEntree – engineering (tracks 4, 8), vocal engineering (2)
- Davis Naish – vocal engineering (track 11)
- Aksel Coe – additional engineering (track 1)
- Michael Nolasco – additional engineering (tracks 2, 3)
- Matt Cahill – mixing assistance
- Joshua Bassett – engineering assistance
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | July 26, 2024 | Warner | [21] |
References
edit- ^ "Joshua Bassett: 18 facts about the Secret singer you need to know". Capital. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Olson, Samantha (August 17, 2023). "Joshua Bassett and Sofia Wylie Give Their Final Curtain Call On 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series'". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Trainor, Daniel (August 3, 2022). "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 3 Is a Disney Music Lover's Paradise". E! News. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Stivale, Shelby (August 9, 2023). "Obsessed: 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' Has Tons of Original Songs — Listen to Them All". J-14. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Glicksman, Josh (March 26, 2020). "'Triple Threat' 'High School Musical' Star Joshua Bassett Signs With Warner Records". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Gibson, Kelsie (March 12, 2021). "With His Debut EP, Joshua Bassett Hopes "Honesty Inspires Honesty"". PopSugar. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Pope, Lauren-Puckett (December 3, 2021). "Joshua Bassett Seemingly Responds To Olivia Rodrigo in a Trio of New Songs". Elle. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (September 26, 2022). "Joshua Bassett Gets The Hard Conversations Off His Chest On 'Sad Songs In A Hotel Room'". Uproxx. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c Sharpe, Josh (May 17, 2024). "Listen: Joshua Bassett Returns With Nostalgic Single 'The Golden Years,' Will Release Debut Album". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Dailey, Hannah (September 6, 2022). "Joshua Bassett Announces Pre-Album EP 'Sad Songs in a Hotel Room'". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Behind The Blinds [@behindtheblinds] (March 1, 2023). "JOSHUA ❤️🔥 Love anyway! Joshua Bassett @joshuatbassett, the American singer and star of the Disney show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series appears on the next cover of our WILDSIDE SS23 issue, out in late March. In our conversation, Joshua tells us about working on his upcoming album Complicated, his trusty good luck charms and breaking the superficial nature of Hollywood by always coming from the place of love" – via Instagram.
- ^ Strother, Jillian (January 29, 2023). "Four great tracks aren't a 'Complicated' achievement for Joshua Bassett". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Dailey, Hannah (May 17, 2024). "Joshua Bassett Announces Debut Album 'The Golden Years': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Dailey, Hannah (May 17, 2024). "Joshua Bassett Announces Debut Album 'The Golden Years': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Dozier, Emily (June 14, 2024). "Joshua Bassett tickets 2024: Cities, dates, prices to see the actor-singer's 'The Golden Years' Tour". The Sporting News. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c Dailey, Hannah (June 7, 2024). "Joshua Bassett Announces 'The Golden Years' Headlining Tour: See Dates". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Armstrong, Megan (July 31, 2024). "Here Is Joshua Bassett's 'The Golden Years Tour' Setlist". Uproxx. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Pointer, Flisadam (June 9, 2024). "Joshua Bassett Announced His 'The Golden Years Tour' Dates Across The US And UK". Uproxx. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Davies, Jeffrey (July 22, 2024). "Joshua Bassett 'The Golden Years' Review: A Debut That Takes Its Sweet Time". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Wass, Mike (July 26, 2024). "Joshua Bassett on Working Through 'Some of the Best and Worst Times of My Life' on His Debut Album, 'The Golden Years'". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ The Golden Years release formats:
- "The Golden Years by Joshua Bassett on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- "The Golden Years by Joshua Bassett on Spotify". Spotify (US). Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- "The Golden Years by Joshua Bassett on Amazon Music". Amazon Music (US). Retrieved August 9, 2024.