4x JUNO nominee Julian Taylor has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Allison Russell for a stately new ballad entitled "Pathways," the title track from Taylor's upcoming record, set to release on September 27th, 2024.
"Pathways" was co-written by Taylor alongside Toronto songwriters Robert Priest and Rosanne Baker Thornley, with the intent of crafting a duet that highlights Russell's emotive vocals. The track’s understated Americana production serves as a powerful foundation for the pair’s lush harmonies, creating an atmosphere that is both hopeful and meditative.
Listen to "Pathways" HERE: https://songs.juliantaylormusic.ca/pathwayssingle
Watch the official "Pathways" video HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta4yuqBG5rc
Reflecting on life’s journey, "Pathways" speaks to the shared human experience of confronting inner doubts and striving to overcome life’s challenges. Taylor describes the song as a letter from someone who has weathered many trials, offering guidance and support to a younger soul, much like a parent guiding their child through life's difficulties.
In Taylor’s own words:
"The journey of life puts us all on our own respective pathways to find out who we are and how we can strive to overcome any of the inner doubts and struggles we all experience. This song is meant to be a letter from a person who has gone through many trivial experiences and who is trying to be there for someone younger like their child and protect them and guide them through the hard points in life. When we wrote the song, each writer felt as if they were speaking to their children." – Julian Taylor
Lyric Excerpt:
Be gentle be kind
Be grateful take time
Remember we’re in this together
Let’s just be who we are
Follow our hearts
And dream .. that love is … forever
Taylor’s upcoming album, Pathways, explores the heavy burdens that so often mirror the struggles we all endure. Co-produced by Taylor and Colin Linden, and mixed by Linden, the album features eight concise tracks. Mastered by Greg Calbi, the album delves deeper into Taylor’s personal reflections than ever before, presenting an intimate portrayal of the artist's own emotional journey.
"When you feel heavy, you’ve got to get things off your chest," Taylor shares. "And Pathways reflects the way I was feeling while I was writing it and making it. What any of us are going through at any particular time acts as an imprint of what we’re battling and trying to heal within ourselves."
