R&B Artist Jordan Ward Reflects on Consequences and Growth in New LP 'Backward'

In the two years since the release of his debut album 'Forward', which was praised by critics, R&B artist Jordan Ward has been working on his equally ambitious sophomore project titled 'Backward'. Speaking exclusively with Rolling Stone, the now 30-year-old musician explains how the darker sides of striving for success have influenced his new album, set to drop on January 30, 2025.

Ward shares that as he has grown older, the "little mistakes" he let slide in the past have started to "cost so much", leading him to question if he is "doing the right thing". The album's title has become literal for Ward, as he is currently recovering from a right ACL tear and lateral meniscus tear sustained from a new athletic hobby. "I'm literally walking backwards and reverse engineering my run so that I can actually heal and move forward the correct way," he says.

For 'Backward', Ward has reunited with the executive producer of 'Forward', Lido, while also collaborating with rising Florida R&B artist Sailorr. Ward explains that he has channeled the songwriting styles of greats like Donny Hathaway, Joni Mitchell, and Roberta Flack, aiming to create "really good, simple songs" with more "clear takeaways" and a continued evolution of his personal storytelling.