Ben Folds Slates New Album ‘What Matters Most’ For June

Ben Folds. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen

Ben Folds is gearing up for the release of his new album What Matters Most on June 2 via New West Records.

The 10-song set features guest appearances by Dodie, Tall Heights and Ruby Amanfu, and is Folds’ first studio album since his chart-topping collaboration in 2015 with the string ensemble YMusic.

Folds recently shared the video for the single “Exhausting Lover,” from the project, which was directed by the actor and comedian Derek Waters of Drunk History fame. The clip depicts an outrageous staged musical, directed by Folds, based on the song’s lyrics.

“There’s a lifetime of craft and experience all focused into this one record,” says Folds. “Sonically, lyrically, emotionally, I don’t think it’s an album I could have made at any other point in my career. I come from the vinyl era, and this, perhaps more than any record I’ve made, is a true album. There’s a very specific sequence and arc to each side, all building up to this almost surreal positive finale, and that structure was really important to me. More than anything, I wanted to make an album that was generous, that was useful. I want you to finish this record with something you didn’t have when you started.”

What Matters Most will be available digitally, on CD and standard black vinyl. A limited seagrass blue vinyl edition and a CD edition featuring three bonus tracks, both autographed by Folds, are available for pre-order now.