When Joe released My Name Is Joe Thomas (stylized as #MyNameIsJoeThomas) in 2016, he declared it his final album. Now, after 10 years, the R&B crooner is gearing up to release a new project.
He first revealed his plans for a new album with Jordan Rose of Complex. “It took me about 10 years to get this together, but that was by choice,” Joe said. “It’s completely different in terms of musically where I’m going. It’s still R&B, but I just love the influences that the other genres have as well.”
Recently, Joe sat down with J. Valentine of the R&B Money podcast, where he shared more details about his awaited album. “I’ve got 12 albums — and that’s a lot of material — but this album is the most important to me,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful process just to do this album the way I’m doing it because I don’t feel no pressure, no rush, nothing.”
Below is everything we know so far about Joe’s new album.
The album was written and produced by Joe.
As indicated above, in his interview with Complex, Joe said his new album is rooted in R&B, while pulling from other genres. He continued, “It’s eclectic in a certain way, but it’s just that feel-good. And that’s one thing for me that’s been missing in R&B. I want the goosebumps once again.”
During his conversation with Valentine, Joe revealed his new album, which he wrote and produced, will include live instrumentation by an 80-piece Budapest orchestra. “We going Prince, Michael, Stevie. I’m trying to be in that category,” Joe said. “I want to be the source of inspiration that they were for me.”
He hasn’t settled on a title just yet.
Although the album’s title is still to be determined, Joe has been toying with the idea of Dress Accordingly, named after one of its tracks. “That song is incredible,” Joe said, as he was thinking about the title. “I don’t know what I’m going to call it,” he told Valentine. “Maybe My Name Is Joe Part 3 or something.”
Expect physical copies.
A release date has not been announced. However, Joe confirmed he intends to release the album independently, in partnership with a distributor. He also said he plans to have it available in a physical format. “There’s a lot of people that want that physical,” he said. “I want to do vinyl, actually.”
The first single could arrive soon.
While Joe acknowledged that the year is near its end and he wants the rollout to start in 2027, the first offering could arrive as early as this year. “I mean, the year’s almost up. That’s the only thing I’m kind of like…I want the rollout to be nice,” he said. When Valentine asked about a single, he responded, “Yeah, at least a single.”
Released Nov. 16, 2016 via BMG, My Name Is Joe Thomas debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. It marked his third consecutive No. 1 on this chart, which launched in 2012. He previously topped this list in 2014 with Bridges and in 2013 with Doubleback: Evolution of R&B. The album also opened at No. 16 on the Billboard 200.
My Name Is Joe Thomas included the No. 1 R&B single “So I Can Have You Back,” “Lean Into It” and “Hello,” a cover of Adele’s smash hit.
Regarding the album, Joe said, “Many artists at times say that their current project is their best piece of work to date. However, I can honestly say that this truly is not only my best, but one of my favorite discs ever. I put my heart and soul into the creation and performance of this record, and I can only hope that I am giving fans what they wish for in a Joe record.”
Last month, Joe joined fellow R&B crooner Donell Jones for a Verzuz battle. According to Verzuz, more than 3 million people watched the friendly competition across all platforms.
