Jonah Kagen Shares New Single “Pollution”
Singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen shares his new single, “Pollution,” out today on Arista Records. The accompanying music video was shot in one-take by David Od.
Following his recent hit single, “The Roads,” singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen is back with “Pollution." Enveloping listeners with a blend of dynamic folk-rock instrumentation, visceral lyricism, and his warm, commanding vocals, Jonah tugs at heartstrings.
“’Pollution’ is about nostalgia, but more specifically, it’s about the desperate craving to get back to a time of simplicity and innocence,” Jonah shares. “I think there’s something especially heartbreaking about losing your innocence as you grow up, and it’s something that I think about every day.”
With "Pollution," Jonah Kagen showcases his signature acoustic-driven sound. His heartfelt lyrics take us back to his adolescent years:
“I was fourteen the first time that I left home.
Not one drop of pollution no taste of the cold
I remember that winter when snow was just snow
Running free full of dreams and a heart of gold.”
Kagen perfectly encapsulates youthful simplicity. While more recent winter memories are full of shoveling snow and hoping the car starts, Kagan invokes memories of snowball fights and building snowmen when snow was just snow.
Building up to a pre-chorus that puts everything in perspective, Kagen sings, “Then all at once it was over / All I knew / All at once I got older.” Growing older makes one realize that they can never get that time back.
Sharing his personal connection with the song on social media, noting that he wrote it for his younger self, Jonah's lyrics take on an even deeper meaning. In the chorus, he sings about his past self, “Oh forgive me my darling I let you down / I don’t know where you are and I need you now.”
The latter part of the song shifts to present-day Jonah, reflecting on his current age of 23 and the dreams he once had.
“Now I’m 23 and I still have dreams
But now I'm dreaming to be how I used to be
And I stay up making peace with the irony
Oh, I'll waste away with the shame washing over me.”
The final pre-chorus features vocal doublings, intensifying Jonah's yearning to reclaim his past self. However, the song ultimately reminds us that the bittersweet nostalgia of our memories is all that remains. “I'd do anything I'd give up all I have / I want you back.”
Jonah is embarking on his first headline tour in October before joining Phillip Phillips as support on his ‘The Drift Back’ tour through November. An exciting new voice bringing an undeniable energy and sincerity through his multifaceted sound, Jonah Kagen is an artist on the rise.
Jonah Kagen Tour Dates:
October 9 - Washington D.C. @ DC9
October 10 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
October 11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
October 13 - Richmond, VA @ Canal Club (Downstairs)
October 14 - Charlotte, NC @ Evening Muse
October 19 - Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl*
October 20 - Winston-Salem, NC @ Millennium Center*
October 21 - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theater*
October 26 - Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall*
October 27 - Fort Smith, AR @ Templelive*
October 28 - Lawrence, KS @ The Granada*
October 30 - Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre*
November 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre*
November 3 - San Diego, CA @ Music Box*
November 4 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren*
November 6 - Albuquerque, NM @ KiMo Theatre*
November 8 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues*
November 9 - Austin, TX @ The Paramount Theatre*
November 11 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues*
* supporting Phillip Phillips
Tickets for all dates are available here.
Listen to "Pollution" on all streaming platforms:
https://jonahkagen.lnk.to/Pollution
Watch the "Pollution" music video: