Joshu’s new single ‘holding on’ is a shimmering gem of indie folk, steeped in nostalgia and the salt air of his Atlantic journey. Raised on mangoes and calypso in Antigua & Barbuda, with roots reaching back to England, Joshu crafts songs that feel like private conversations whispered in the quiet moments of life. His latest track, the first release from his upcoming EP, way back home, is a meditation on identity, belonging, and the bittersweet act of letting go.
From its opening line, “left my home in the warm rain,” ‘holding on’ evokes a longing for a past that’s both cherished and complicated. Written during Joshu’s Atlantic crossing—a pilgrimage back to his childhood island—it’s imbued with the introspection of isolation and the vastness of the sea. The song’s gentle groove, blending folk with the rhythms of the Caribbean, mirrors the duality of Joshu’s life, shaped equally by King Short Shirt’s calypso and John Martyn’s soulful folk.
Lyrically, ‘holding on’ wrestles with the question, “Where is home?” Joshu’s reflective exploration of his youth, marked by the paradisiacal beauty of Antigua and the complexities of being a second-generation white man in the Caribbean, adds layers of depth. His gentle delivery, coupled with the refrain “it’s not easy when you’re holding on so tight,” is both vulnerable and freeing, encouraging listeners to examine their own roots and the stories they tell themselves about belonging.
Finalized during the lockdown in his childhood home in Antigua, ‘holding on’ carries a palpable intimacy that’s both grounding and expansive. It feels as if the song itself has been infused with the warm rain and ocean breezes of its origins. As the first glimpse into, way back home, it promises an EP that will resonate deeply with anyone seeking to reconnect with themselves and the places they’ve called home. Joshu’s ability to weave personal narratives with universal themes of longing and identity ensures his music lingers long after the last note fades.
With, way back home, set for release in January 2025, Joshu continues to chart a course that’s both deeply personal and profoundly relatable. His knack for storytelling, paired with his unique blend of folk and Caribbean influences, makes this a journey worth following.
