It’s shaping up to be the year of Louis Tomlinson. The former One Direction bandmate will unveil his third studio album, How Did I Get Here?, this Friday, January 23. Yesterday, the UK native unveiled the third offering of this project, “Imposter,” just days ahead of the big day.
Written in the jungle in Costa Rica with Nicolas Rebscher and Dave Gibson, the guitar-driven, euphonious track tackles insecurity and the idea of individualism over an upbeat, lo-fi groove.
There’s layered percussion over jangly bass as the song highlights the chaos that lives at the center. There’s honest lyricism – something that isn’t new to the singer. The song finds Tomlinson face to face with imposter syndrome and self-doubt as he confesses, “I think there’s a stranger in my bed / My heart’s beating faster / I can’t get this feeling out of my head, that I am the imposter.”
The singer spilled about the song in a press release, “Conceptually, it leans into the idea of identity. It’s probably the most melodic moment on the record – I’m really excited for the world to finally hear it.”
The release of this track coincides with the official music video for the song, starring actor James Nelson-Joyce (This City Is Ours, A Thousand Blows). The visual component opens with Joyce and his opposite locked in some sort of push-and-pull argument in their bedroom, but then it quickly dissolves into a pillow fight before jumping back to the tense fight.
Both play and conflict continues, as a third scene – a dinner party – is introduced. Both Joyce and his girl are seated opposite an older couple, while Joyce is picturing himself engaging in erratic acts, like smearing cake all over his guest’s face and putting out his cigarette in his food. It’s clear that self-worth (or lack thereof) and anxiety is increasingly building on our protagonist’s face as the storyline grows.
The video then moves to a rowdy bar where we find Tomlinson, himself, as the night’s entertainment as the crowd sings, “I am the imposter.” The video then concludes as Joyce somberly stares at the ground.
How Did We Get Here? follows previously released singles, “Lemonade” and “Palaces,” building on the success of his last studio album, Faith In The Future, and its massive world tour of the same name. This project turns a new leaf in Tomlinson’s story.
“The record I always deserved to make,” the singer shares. “My bread and butter is my honesty. I genuinely wear my heart on my sleeve, and I hope it comes through in the music. I’m still learning and getting better as a singer and a songwriter. I find it impossible to be complacent; it’s not in my vocabulary. For the first time now, I’m allowing myself to be the artist I’d always hoped to be.”
Tomlinson will take his forthcoming project on the road on his How Did We Get Here? North American Tour, beginning in June.
