Joseph Finds Power in Uncertainty on Their New Album

By Sean Alexander

Living with the Question

Indie-pop band Joseph is entering a new chapter as they prepare to release their latest album. This project marks a distinct shift in their songwriting—moving away from resolution and instead embracing the discomfort of uncertainty. While their past work often leaned into anthemic, declarative statements of hope and clarity, this time, the duo is focused on sitting with the unknown.

A strong example of this evolution is Chills, a track that wrestles with the precarious nature of love—the reality that no matter how deeply you care for someone, there is no guarantee they will always be there. Rather than searching for reassurance, the song lingers in the raw vulnerability of that fear.

"In the past, I might have wanted to write, ‘But this is why it’s okay,’" Natalie Closner said. "This time, it doesn’t. It just says, ‘I’m scared I’m going to lose you.’ And that’s it.”

This willingness to sit with uncertainty is woven throughout the album, reflecting the emotional shifts both Natalie and Meegan Closner have experienced in recent years. One of the most personal moments comes in By and By, inspired by a night when Natalie grappled with the realization that her life was changing in ways she never anticipated.

"I just felt like everything I have known is coming to an end," she recalled. "I looked at my girlfriend at the time and was like, ‘I feel like in a way I died.’ And I went to the bathroom and started bawling my eyes out." That moment turned into lyrics typed between tears: Crying in the bathroom of the By and By, Saturday’s mascara in my eye. It’s Tuesday.

Musically, the album still carries Joseph’s signature harmonies and emotional depth but ventures into new territory. Drawing inspiration from ’90s and early 2000s grunge, the record brings a heavier, more textured energy that reflects the weight of the stories being told. This evolution captures where they are now—not just as musicians but as people embracing the complexities of life without the need for easy answers.

Growth in Sisterhood

Before there was Joseph, there was Natalie, performing in noisy non-music environments like a Johnny Carino’s in Kentucky while sports continued to play in the background.

She always knew she wanted music to be her career, but early attempts—drawing inspiration from artists like Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles—weren't gaining traction. At one point, a friend asked her, “Do you even like your songs?” The question forced her to reconsider her approach. Realizing her sisters had the talent to create something special together, she invited them to join her.

"The first time we sang together, I was like, ‘Oh. Oh, this is really exciting,’" Natalie said. "I could see the whole vision for this being something good that people would listen to. But we didn’t know what that entailed. We didn’t know what a manager or a label was. We just wanted to do it.”

Joseph’s early sound was rooted in mellow folk, but performing in loud venues made it difficult to capture audiences' attention. They began incorporating their shared love of pop music, crafting bigger, bolder songs that would define the Joseph sound.

Now, 12 years later, Joseph continues to evolve, navigating the complexities of the music industry while adapting to change. Their latest album marks a new chapter of self-discovery.

"It’s been a totally new exploratory time for us, just figuring out what we really want and who our partners in it are," Meegan said. "And what’s the truest thing for us.”

Despite the shifts, Joseph remains anchored in their love for music, their bond as sisters, and the connection they share with their audience.

"We’re grown women now," Natalie said. "Life is different than what we thought it might be, but we feel powerful within that."

What Are They Listening To?

Natalie: Saya Gray’s new album, SAYA. “It’s some of the most thrilling production choices I've ever heard.”

Meegan: “I’ve been watching—I know that’s not the question, but hang on—I’ve been watching the show Shrinking, and the main song for the show is Death Cab for Cutie. Because of that, I’ve been listening to a lot of Death Cab.”