Valley Hopefuls

Valley Hopefuls, released in 2019, serves as a pivotal full-length statement for Jordan Ward, solidifying the 'sun-drenched' R&B sound that would become his trademark. Following his earlier work, this album leans heavily into the intersection of contemporary R&B and indie-rock, utilizing clean, melodic guitar work as a primary melodic driver rather than traditional R&B synth pads. The project is deeply rooted in Ward's experiences in Los Angeles and his transition from a dancer for major pop acts to a standalone recording artist. Critically, it is often cited for its unique vocal production, where Ward utilizes dense self-harmonization to create a 'one-man choir' effect. The album's pacing is deliberate, mixing short interludes with fully realized grooves like 'Slide' and 'Sandiego,' creating a narrative arc of movement and optimism that resonated with the emerging 'alternative R&B' scene of the late 2010s.