Review

By Abby Clair | 16/04/2026

The debut album from Wesley Joseph, Forever Ends Someday, was released by Secretly Canadian on 10th April 2026. Hailing from Walsall and now based in London, Joseph brings a strong sense of place and personal history to the record. On “Peace of Mind,” there’s a standout rap feature from Danny Brown, who delivers maniacally energetic, staccato-style lyrics that sharply increase the pace of the track. This contrasts with the more laid-back chorus, creating a dynamic push and pull. Joseph matches this heightened intensity in the following verse before the song drops back again toward the end. The track also references filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, “Now I'm shinin' like I'm Kubrick, / Till the movie go black” - a nod to Joseph’s own background as a filmmaker and former film student. Former OG Horse Collective collaborator Jorja Smith reconnects with Joseph on “July.” A childhood friend, Smith joins him in reflecting on their upbringing in Walsall, reminiscing about where they’ve come from while expressing wonder at where life is taking them now. The track was released as a single ahead of the album. The album spans 13 tracks, although “Mind Games” runs just 52 seconds and feels more like an interlude than a full song. Forever Ends Someday is a fully realised and deeply cinematic body of work, bringing together the emotional and sonic universe Joseph has been carefully building over recent years, a world defined by introspection, atmosphere, and instinctive storytelling. “Pluto Baby,” which was named BBC Radio 1 Hottest Record of the week, stands out as one of the album’s highlights, and it’s easy to hear why. Its production and arrangement feature laid-back synths, light, plinking piano lines, and smooth string bass grooves. Joseph’s understated vocals occasionally stretch upward into a higher register, adding subtle emotional lift. The slightly distorted outro is a particularly nice touch. Overall, it’s a beautifully crafted song. “100 Miles,” the album’s closing track, provides a fitting end, with its reflective tone bringing the project to a natural conclusion. Three years in the making, Joseph stepped away from the spotlight to find his story, choosing to pursue honesty in his art rather than capitalising on career momentum. At times, his voice verges on sounding similar to Khalid, particularly the more gravelly tones reminiscent of his 2017 album American Teen.