LOS ANGELES – Johanna Samuels’ contemplative new single, “Circles,” precedes her upcoming album, Sorry, Kid, offering an intricate study of self and society.
Johanna Samuels has announced her new album, Sorry, Kid, set for release on August 14 via Odd Man Out Recordings and Jealous Butcher. The record features “Circles,” a recent single that premiered on May 20, 2026, showcasing Samuels’ contemplative songwriting. Produced by Jonathan Rado with additional contributions from Patrick Damphier, the album includes collaborations with artists such as Tyler Ballgame, Courtney Marie Andrews, Madison Cunningham, Erin Rae, and Jordan Lehning.
In support of Sorry, Kid, Samuels has scheduled release shows in key cities, including Los Angeles at Zebulon on August 15 and New York City at Union Pool on August 25. These performances offer an opportunity to experience the new material live, building on the momentum of singles like “Circles” and previously released tracks such as “White Limousine” and “Two People, The Moon.” The album marks her fourth full-length release.
The Cyclical Search for Kindness in a Disengaged World
Johanna Samuels’ “Circles” is a profound track from her album Sorry, Kid, originating from her early twenties in New York City. Influenced by Elliott Smith and the concept of the infinity symbol, the song explores the duality of human experience—how we can “feel so much and numb out at the same time,” and the societal contradictions of “beautiful music and gather in community and also have war and violence.” For a full analysis of the track “Circles” by Johanna Samuels, further exploration reveals its intricate layers.
Central to “Circles” is the metaphor of the endless loop, symbolizing gradual understanding. Samuels notes that playing the song years later revealed a deeper truth: “we are all tiny little universes of self experience and that we can only take in so much truth at a time.” The cyclical refrain “It’s turnin’ / But it’s comin’ around again” embodies this persistent journey, reflecting a belief in an underlying kindness and a goodness, where “love and honesty win in the end.”
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