Landon Elliott Announces New Album, aftermath, Alongside Liberating Single, “neon jesus”
Life is constructed on a series of faiths. Faith in your environment, faith in your beliefs, and ultimately, faith in the person staring back at you in the mirror. Some act as pillars while others serve as support beams, but removing any of them can cause your spirit, heart, and very essence to waver. From there, an existential crack forms, threatening the integrity and stability of your entire inner being. Regardless of whether you address it early or encounter its aftermath, the best course is always to salvage what you can and fortify the remaining framework. Seek new comforts, embrace fresh excitements, and, most importantly, strengthen your inner belief system to reaffirm and redefine yourself.
For singer-songwriter Landon Elliott, this process of inner transformation and self-reinvention has fostered a renewed sense of purpose, beautifully captured in his latest single, “neon jesus.” Navigating the tension between collapse and certainty, the song explores the challenging journey of transitioning from a collective belief system to one driven by personal convictions, all in the quest for comforting acceptance, clear insight, and profound bliss. Intimately stirring, this latest single also heralds the release of Landon Elliott’s sophomore album, aftermath, set for release on November 1st of this year. Additionally, Elliott is complementing the new single with a poignant lyric video produced by The Sunroom, which subtly reflects the song’s journey toward inner triumph.
“I’m feeling low,” Elliott asserts in the song’s twinkling opening moments, offering it not as a confession but as an affirmation—a recognition of his current state and a nod to the ongoing journey toward his aspirations. As the music kicks in, the song begins to take shape as an empowering anthem from a figure still figuring out their sense of self in the wake of spiritual reckoning. Direct and open, the song maintains a steady forward gaze, presenting each vulnerable admission as an inspiring beacon for those reflecting on personal tribulations, whether observing from the sidelines or navigating their own journey.
“‘neon jesus’ was a journey to complete,” Landon Elliott told The Auriuclar. “It’s about the emotional, relational, and spiritual struggle of coming out and letting go of indoctrination. I’m spiritually undefined now and that feels holier than the megachurch, for-profit Jesus that religious powers have used perversely to their own social and political ends. I’ve found joy now that I’m not beholden to that way anymore.”
Striking lyricism empowers Elliott to convey his message through core-shaking imagery (“I’m finally letting go\ of the facade\ the god mirage”) and enlightening revelations (“I’m backdrafted on secrets\ I’m more than just a regret”). Despite the profound impact though, the true driving force of the song lies in its musical tone, delivered with conviction by Elliott and propelled by the surrounding instrumentation. A looping guitar riff dances through an unconventional time signature, symbolizing the struggle of breaking away from entrenched patterns, even at the cost of moving out of sync with your surroundings. Each verse is delivered with determined intent, guiding the uplifting arrangement that builds around him and inviting others to join his self-actualizing journey. Remarkably, the song avoids proselytizing, choosing instead to advocate for a more authentic and sincere doctrine to aspire to.
“I’ve found freedom outside of religiosity,” Elliott remarked, “and it turns out you don’t need it to find true love, joy, and peace in this life.”
In the video, filmed and crafted by the creative team at The Sunroom, the music video for “neon jesus” reimagines the concept of a watery baptism, showcasing Landon Elliott immersing himself in a pool of sacred independence while the lyrics appear on screen as if part of a newly uncovered ninety-sixth thesis. His face is artistically obscured throughout most of the video, revealing itself only in the final moments where the camera focuses on his poignant gaze, weathered by tumultuous upheaval yet steadfast in its promise and hope.
“neon jesus” serves as the second single from aftermath, after the title track was released in late 2022. That song was also featured on Elliott’s 2023 EP, Live At Poe’s Pub, which captured performances from his four-week residency at the beloved Shockoe Bottom music venue. The EP also included covers of tracks by The Kinks, Madi Diaz, and Joni Mitchell, alongside his earlier singles “Mona Lisa” and “Waiting.” In a statement on social media and his website, Elliott revealed the inspiration and vision behind the new record:
“‘aftermath’ is a rewind through the hidden hometape of my life. stories, moments, and thoughts from a boy coming to terms with his queerness surrounded by homophobia and indoctrination. these snapshots through my adolescence and early adulthood are fragments I never thought would see the light of day, but this album is a release of fear and shame, and it’s for anyone who had to endure to be who they are. I see you.”
This comprehensive release will be available for all to experience on November 1st, but until then, you can listen to “neon jesus” and allow it to inspire and guide your own personal transformation.
To keep up to date on more releases and announcements from Landon Elliott, make sure to follow him on social media by clicking here.
