Out singer/songwriter Tom Goss recently released his new album, Territories,
The collection is a departure from the indie/coffee house rock we’ve come to know from the veteran recording artist. When I interviewed Goss earlier this year about the project, the ‘guitar-touting troubadour’ shared that the new collection takes a turn into pop-synth land as he journeys through the emotional terrain of polyamory.
When Goss’ husband asked if they could open up their marriage to include others as possible romantic partners, Goss found himself realizing he could still love his spouse while falling in love with another man.
Territories is primarily reflective in tone for much of the album as he recalls experiences and conversations in locations around the world including Berlin, London, Mexico and more.
In addition to embracing a different soundscape (which the artist describes as ‘electro-groove-pop’), Goss says that while he’s written six albums about his relationship with his husband up to now, “To write material about intimate thoughts and feelings about someone other than my husband, it was so different.”
Goss says the piano ballad “Berlin” would begin what would eventually emerge as Territories saying, “48 hours in Berlin turned my world completely upside down. Have you ever accidentally fallen in love? I have. This experience, and song, started what would eventually become Territories.”
The video for “Berlin,” alternating between black & white imagery in a private, backroom cabaret setting and Goss exploring the city with his new beau, mirrors the dreamlike and ephemeral texture of the track.
It’s notable that Goss, who’s extolled the attractiveness of bears and more full-figured guys many times in the past, continues that pattern versus using only gym-bound, muscle men in his videos.
The song “La Bufadora” focuses on the issue of domestic violence among LGBTQ couples. The music video, co-starring actor Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls, Looking), dramatizes a couple’s Mexican vacation gone awry as the duo’s disagreements turn violent.
The track ‘One Thing Missing’ reflects on those occasions when you might be “having the time of your life and wishing you could share it with someone who wasn’t there.”
‘One Plus Two’ explores those struggles many of us have with focusing on our imperfections. “I almost always feel incomplete no matter how many people shower me with love,” explains Goss.
Goss says the reaction from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, and that he’s “grateful by how people have put themselves in my shoes and have understood and accepted my experience.”
He recently told Q Magazine that he hopes listeners will “understand that love doesn’t always look the same for everyone.”
“Sometimes it looks different,” he added. “Whether you’re in a traditional relationship or a nontraditional relationship, you should be proud of the love that you share.”
Earlier this year, I chatted with Goss in-depth about the genesis of Territories and the issues explored within it. Hit play below to hear him discuss its evolution.
Territories is now available on all digital download sites.
For all things Tom Goss, head to tomgossmusic and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
