FORWARD

FORWARD is the debut studio album from St. Louis-born, LA-based artist Jordan Ward, released in 2023. Following his well-received EPs, this record solidified his 'choral-soul' sound, characterized by dense vocal stacking and a unique integration of indie-rock guitar aesthetics into contemporary R&B. Produced largely by Lido and featuring contributions from 6LACK and Joyce Wrice, the album is notable for its concise songwriting; most tracks clock in around the two-minute mark, reflecting a modern, high-energy approach to soul music. Critically, it was praised for its optimistic tone and rhythmic fluidity, often attributed to Ward's professional background as a backup dancer for artists like Justin Bieber and Beyoncé. The album positions itself as a bridge between the neo-soul tradition and the genre-blurring sensibilities of the 2020s indie scene.