James Barrett has shared “Fragile Assertion,” the lead single from his upcoming full-length record, Now That I’ve Seen The Light. The Pennsylvania songwriter has spent the last four years crafting this emotionally cathartic album that’s slated for release in early 2026.
“Fragile Assertion” is a lively pop-punk track that explores the grief of slowly drifting apart from someone you love. Barrett transforms this ache into a cathartic singalong that feels authentic and cinematic through its four minute duration. The song’s stellar instrumental and fiery vocal delivery bring its relentless energy to life, shaping a powerful beginning to this exciting new era. Barrett’s exceptionally passionate songwriting shines through with each lyric, especially lines like “Everything I tried to be was all for you / But I’ve lost my way too” and “rare blue moon / as august ends so soon / I break free from its noose.”
Barrett also shares that “Fragile Assertion” and the rest of Now That I’ve Seen The Light were the first time he’s ever taken a stab at producing. Speaking on the experience in a post shared to Instagram, Barrett writes,
“Feeling nervous and excited but mostly I feel ready to get this next chapter of my life started…This is also the first time in my life I produced a record on my own. After many months of trying to learn Logic Pro I am proud to have tracked most of this at my house. This was the first song tracked so I still had some help along the way…”
Most known for his involvement in his local community, Barrett has become a staple in the alt rock scene surrounding Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He founded his own music festival in 2022, which has now become an annual celebration of arts and music in Scranton, PA. Now in its fourth year, Good Things Are Happening Fest is set to take place next month on September 6th with Pennsylvania’s own The Menzingers as the event’s headliner. Tickets and information for the festival can be found here.
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