Jon Batiste is back. The Oscar-winning and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and composer has shared “Calling Your Name,” the second offering from his upcoming album.
As Batiste sings over a breezy melodica, his warm and infectious tone expresses his feelings about time moving aimlessly while his heart flutters for a beloved whom he can’t stop thinking about.
“Calling Your Name” is the follow-up to Batiste’s previously shared track “Be Who You Are” featuring JID, NewJeans, and Camilo.
The latter track was released in late May and unveiled as the lead single from his next album, World Music Radio, out Aug. 18 via Verve Records/Interscope Records.
Batiste took the reins as executive producer for World Music Radio, with assistance from Jon Bellion and Ryan Lynn. Guests on the album include Lil Wayne, Kenny G, Lana Del Ray, Leigh-Anne, Native Soul, and more.
Batiste recently shared the album’s backstory on Instagram.
“World Music Radio is a concept album that takes place in the interstellar regions of the universe. The listener is led through the album by an interstellar traveling griot named Billy Bob Bo Bob, who takes you sonically all around the world at the speed of light,” wrote Batiste in a caption for the official artwork.
He continued, “I created this album with a feeling of liberation in my life and a renewed sense of exploration of my personhood, my craft and of the world around me unlike anything I ever felt before. This new album will fill your soul, open your heart and stretch your mind while expanding your vision of popular art.”
In a July 2022 interview with Rated R&B, Batiste hinted at his World Music Radio theme. “I’m living a creative life. I’m walking around and I’m processing the world through creativity and all these things happen in the world that make you want to create,” he shared. “Eventually, an album emerges from all of that. I let it tell me when it’s ready. I don’t force it. There’s no real authentic art that can come from forcing. You gotta just let it come to you.”
World Music Radio is Batiste’s first release since winning Album of the Year at the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022 for his previous album, WE ARE.
On that same night, he also won four additional Grammys, three of which were for songs from WE ARE and one for his contribution to the soundtrack of the movie Soul.
Beyond his World Music Radio, Batiste is hot on the heels of his appearance during New Orleans rapper Juvenile’s Tiny Desk Concert.
Up next for Batiste is his acting debut. He is set to portray Grady in the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple.
The movie is scheduled to be released on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and boasts an impressive cast, including Fantasia, Ciara, Halle Bailey, H.E.R. and others.
Listen to Jon Batiste’s new song “Calling My Name” below.
World Music Radio is available for pre-order/pre-add.