Jordan Ward Shows Sometimes The First Step Is Looking “BACKWARD”

Mar 1

Jordan Ward is back with his third album, “BACKWARD,” released on 1/30/26, and a little over a month later he’s on the road. He just kicked off The Apartment Tour alongside Asha Imuno, Nate Curry, and Planet Giza, with stops across America and Europe.

With “BACKWARD,” Jordan uses the album like an empty canvas, painting a picture of his reality outside of being one of our favorite artists. His previous project, “FORWARD,” felt more upbeat, but he went deep on that album too. “FORWARD” felt upbeat with deep songs. “BACKWARD” feels deep with upbeat songs. The tempos are slower overall, the topics are heavier, and the entire experience feels therapeutic. Notable mention, there are no skips.

This project feels like him finding his way in real time, working through insecurities, overcoming obstacles, and grappling with what his life has become since fame entered the picture. He speaks to the duality of success. For many people, including Jordan, financial stability and traveling the world is the dream. But “BACKWARD” poses the question, at what cost?

Is that cost unstable housing from constantly traveling for shows? Missing holidays? Losing quality time with family? At what point does it stop feeling worth it?

He manages to unpack all of this with catchy vocals and basslines that make you feel every word even more. “Noisy Neighbors” dives into anxiety, depression, and the byproducts that come with both. He walks us through what it feels like to be kept up at night by a racing mind that refuses to slow down.

My personal favorite is “CHAMPION SONG.” You can hear the passion in his voice as he speaks about a loved one surviving cancer. When he says “Mommy, you are a champion,” it hits instantly. It makes you think about the matriarch of a family; the strongest one, facing health issues and how heavy that can be for everyone around her. It is vulnerable, powerful, and real.

Even with the deeper tones throughout the album, Jordan still gives us moments to move. Tracks like “THEMSELVES,” “HIGH FUNCTIONING,” and “CUTTI” featuring his St. Louis bredren Smino, bring that familiar bounce.

If “FORWARD” felt like “Fuck it, I’m outside”, “BACKWARD” feels like “Man, I was wylin’.” This project is that space we have all been in where we analyze what we wish we would have done differently.

I saw a clip where he mentioned he wasn’t sure if we wanted an album like this from him or not and I’m here to say we do! On the other side of recognizing mistakes is wisdom. And we love growth. So shout out to Jordan Ward for this album.