GRAMMY®-nominated, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Alex Warren returns with his highly anticipated second full-length album, WILDCHILD, released via Atlantic Records. The project offers a deeply personal look at Warren’s journey, connecting his extraordinary rise in music with memories of his late parents, personal loss and the person he has become.
The album’s title carries a special meaning. As a child, Warren’s father affectionately called him “Wildchild” because of his fearless nature and tendency to climb, jump and constantly push boundaries. Years later, the name became a fitting symbol for an artist who continues to defy expectations while navigating a life that has changed dramatically through music.
Written across 2025 and 2026, WILDCHILD finds Warren working with longtime collaborators Adam Yaron, Cal Shapiro and Mags Duval in Nashville and Los Angeles. The album expands his pop sound through cinematic production, soaring melodies and emotionally direct songwriting, allowing him to explore new creative territory without the pressure of trying to recreate the enormous success of “Ordinary.”
That freedom is particularly evident on focus track “Emerald Eyes.” Built around shimmering piano, a steady rhythm, deep bass and energetic claps, the song takes on a danceable pop character, with legendary guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers adding his unmistakable touch. Warren describes the track as a love song designed to make listeners want to dance, balancing its upbeat energy with an atmospheric bridge.
The album’s emotional centre arrives with its closing title track, “WILDCHILD.” Beginning with acoustic instrumentation and choir harmonies, the song builds towards a powerful guitar solo from John Mayer. A voice recording of Warren’s late father asking, “Are you having fun, Alex?” adds another deeply personal layer.
For Warren, the song became a way to confront the lack of closure surrounding his father’s death. He was only nine when his father died, leaving behind memories and video messages that Warren later revisited while creating the album. Writing “WILDCHILD” from his father’s perspective allowed him to imagine the words of encouragement and pride he wished he could have heard.
The decision to feature John Mayer on the album’s closing moments also carries personal significance, as Warren’s father was a major fan of the guitarist. Ending the record with Mayer’s instrumental performance gives the project a final emotional release while connecting Warren’s present to an important part of his childhood.
The personal themes running through WILDCHILD arrive after a remarkable period in Warren’s career. His breakthrough single “Ordinary” became a global phenomenon, spending 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 Excl. US chart and 13 weeks atop the UK Songs Chart. The seven-times-Platinum hit also spent a record 16 weeks at No. 1 on US Pop Radio.
Its success helped propel Warren’s debut album, You’ll Be Alright, into the Top 5 of the Billboard 200. The project produced further major tracks including “Eternity,” “Bloodline” featuring Jelly Roll, “On My Mind” featuring ROSÉ and “Burning Down” with Joe Jonas, contributing to more than 11 billion streams across his catalogue.
Warren has since performed on major stages including the American Music Awards, MTV VMAs and GRAMMY Awards, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and shared major festival stages with artists such as Ed Sheeran and Jelly Roll. He has also headlined sold-out arena tours worldwide.
Yet beneath the records, awards and global success, WILDCHILD is ultimately about something more intimate. Warren uses the album to reflect on grief, love, family, healing and the person he is becoming.
With its combination of expansive pop production and deeply personal storytelling, WILDCHILD presents Alex Warren at a point where he no longer needs to prove that he belongs. Instead, he is using the freedom that comes with success to tell a more complete story about where he came from, what he has lost and where he hopes to go next.
