Curtis Harding has shared the new track “Explore” today ahead of this Friday’s release of his new album If Words Were Flowers. Harding has also announced a January 2022 US tour today that will include performances in his hometown of Atlanta as well as New York, Los Angeles, Portland and more. At the end of that run he will head to Europe for February and March shows across the continent; all upcoming dates are listed below.

Written and recorded over the past two tumultuous years, ‘If Words Were Flowers’ is a vibrant, intoxicating bouquet, one as diverse as it is dazzling. Drawing on vintage soul, R&B, hip-hop, garage rock, and psychedelia, the songs here are raw and gritty, fueled by airtight grooves, punchy horns, and adventurous production from Harding and frequent collaborator Sam Cohen (Kevin Morby, Benjamin Booker).

“Nina Simone said that it’s an artist’s job to reflect the times,” Harding explains. “I think it’s important to live in the moment. If you do that and you’re honest and vulnerable, you can reach the people that need to be reached.”

That honesty and vulnerability is front and center on ‘If Words Were Flowers’, which opens with the arresting title track. “If words were flowers / I’d give them all to you,” Harding sings with a boost from a larger than life backing choir.

Curtis Harding
If Words Were Flowers
Track Listing

1. If Words Were Flowers
2. Hopeful
3. Can’t Hide It
4. With You
5. Explore
6. Where Is The Love
7. The One
8. So Low
9. Forever More
10. It’s A Wonder
11. I Won’t Let You Down

2022 US TOUR DATES
1/14 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
1/15 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
1/17 – Washington DC – The Black Cat
1/21 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
1/24 – San Diego, CA – Music Box
1/25 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
1/26 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
1/28 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
1/29 – Seattle, WA – Neumos

2022 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
2/26 – Madrid, Spain – Cats
2/27 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Razzmatazz
2/28 – Montpellier, France – Rockstore
3/2 – Bordeaux, France – Rocher de Palmer
3/3 – Nantes, France – La Soufflerie
3/4 – La Rochelle, France – La Sirene
3/6 – Paris, France – La Cigale
3/7 – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique Orangerie
3/8 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
3/9 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Maassilo
3/10 – Köln, Germany – Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld
3/12 – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo Club
3/13 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Hotel Cecil
3/15 – Berlin, Germany – Metropol Berlin
3/16 – Prague, Czech Republic – JazzDock
3/17 – Munich, Germany – Ampere
3/18 – Vienna, Austria – Club Porgy & Bess
3/20 – Milan, Italy – Biko
3/21 – Zurich, Switzerland – Mascotte
3/22 – Besançon, France – La Rodia
3/24 – London, UK – Electric Brixton
3/25 – Bristol, UK – Thekla
3/26 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
3/27 – Glasgow, UK – King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
3/28 – Manchester, UK – Gorilla
3/30 – Dublin, Ireland – Whelan’s