Wesley Joseph: The Cinematic Vision Behind ‘Forever Ends Someday’
A Return to Roots and Ambition
“Back home my bruddas never had a voice / So the least I could do is sing for you.” With these words from the opening track ‘Distant Man’, Wesley Joseph establishes the core mission of his debut album, Forever Ends Someday. The record serves as both a retrospective of his journey and a tribute to the community that shaped him. Joseph explains that the album is an ode to his origins in the post-industrial town of Walsall, balancing his aspirations as a “distant man” with a grounded commitment to the people who witnessed his beginnings.
Unlike his previous EPs Ultramarine (2021) and Glow (2023), which showcased his penchant for dreamy, electronic soundscapes, Forever Ends Someday represents a significant leap in depth and precision. Joseph’s mastery of texture and his ability to manipulate light and shade allow him to craft cinematic pieces that capture the complexities of human emotion within a tight, focused sonic space.
The Pursuit of Creative Perfection
Joseph’s approach to music-making is defined by a relentless, almost obsessive pursuit of quality. Drawing inspiration from the perfectionist ethos of artists like Kanye West, Joseph prioritizes the refinement of a few tracks over the mass production of disposable content. “I didn’t pick being a musician to sell myself short,” he notes. “It’s blasphemous for me not to make something the best I can.” This dedication is evident in his lifestyle; he admits to sacrificing sleep and personal comfort to ensure his vision is fully realized, noting that the part of his brain that once considered alternative career paths has been “completely eroded” by his singular focus.
Building a Kaleidoscope of Sound
Following the release of Glow in 2023, Joseph retreated from the public eye for three years to assemble a team capable of executing his ambitious vision. He collaborated with producers such as Nicolas Jaar and AK Paul, alongside Harvey Dweller and Tevyn, to meticulously refine the album’s sonic architecture. The creative process took him from his London studio to the alpine landscapes of Isérables, Switzerland, where the environment directly influenced the psychedelic, elated moments of the record, such as the intricate synth work on ‘Manuka’.
Finding Beauty in the Overlooked
A pivotal influence on the album remains Walsall. During a visit to his hometown, Joseph found inspiration in the familiar, walking through old haunts and reflecting on his upbringing. Tracks like ‘Shadow Puppet’—a blend of tense piano arpeggios and urgent rap verses—emerged from this period of introspection. Joseph argues that while the town is often viewed as deprived or grey, he finds a profound, honest beauty in its atmosphere. This environment, he suggests, is the catalyst for his creative growth; the isolation of his youth forced him to look inward and think bigger, fueling the “delusional” drive that has allowed him to remain uncompromising in his artistry.
‘Forever Ends Someday’ is out on April 10 via Secretly Canadian.
