Throughout his distinguished career, Donovan Woods has built a devoted following who cling to the JUNO Award winning songwriter's every word. Never one to mince them, Woods is one of music's most vulnerable storytellers and on his forthcoming studio album, Donovan takes that a step further. Honest and unflinching, on Things Were Never Good If They're Not Good Now, his upcoming seventh studio album, due July 12 via End Times Music, Woods takes a long look inside and isn't necessarily thrilled with what he sees. For an artist who isn't afraid to bear his soul, this is as emotionally gritty as he has ever been.
Woods now shares a first taste from the record, with the single "Rosemary" along with a video, co-written with Connor Seidel.
Discussing the song he states: "Have you ever had a fight by text message? And it's long, and existential. Someone did something wrong and maybe that's it. Maybe the bond can't be repaired. Well this song is about returning home to someone after having one of those, and offering yourself up. It's about finally admitting all your faults, showing your actual self and asking, can you still love me? And really wanting an answer either way."
As Woods notes with "Rosemary", Things Were Never Good If They're Not Good Now is about honesty; honesty with others, but also perhaps more importantly, being honest with yourself. Taking the time to stop running, and owning up to mistakes, faults, regrets. Not to beat yourself up about them, but rather to face them, accept them, learn from them, and to move forward. Hopefully a better, stronger and more open person.
Long known as a masterful storyteller, Woods is at his absolute best on Things Were Never Good If They're Not Good Now. Across the album's 12 sparse, intimate songs, Woods finds himself reflecting on the ups and downs he has been through since 2020, when he dropped his acclaimed last album, the breakthrough Without People. Through his songwriting, Woods opens up and addresses the complexities of life, and all that he has been going through.
He notes, this album serves as "a funeral to the life I was living."
