x Ambassadors Orion

X Ambassadors experienced some false starts prior to the release of their second album, ORION. The Ithaca, New York, trio had completed a collection of songs before deciding to scrap them and start over, as they thought the soulful, pop-leaning sound they were pursuing took after 2015’s breakthrough album VHS. One of the songs that survived those recordings was 2018’s “Joyful,” a stand-alone single where frontman Sam Harris carries forward the album’s main theme: how to persevere through the darkest of times. Their change of plans was also a blessing in disguise, as it allowed Harris to regain his confidence (and feel like he didn’t have to match the massive success of singles like “Unsteady” and “Renegades”).

Orion (stylized in all caps) is the second studio album by American rock group X Ambassadors. It was released on June 14, 2019, by record labels KIDinaKORNER and Interscope Records.