Virginia’s own John-Robert has never been one to sit still, musically speaking. After a child-prodigy turn on Ellen, a deal with Nice Life/Warner, a move to LA, and a viral fireside rendition of “Come Pick Me Up” that shot him into the modern folk-pop conversation, the singer-songwriter has landed back home on the banks of the Shenandoah — and promptly asked himself the question that titles his new EP: Where Do You Wanna Go?

Out today, Where Do You Wanna Go? is a five-track set that pulls John-Robert a meaningful step or two away from the acoustic, Appalachia-tinged singer-songwriter lane he’s best known for. Tracked in his bedroom and finished in New York with producer Ronnie DiSimone (Daisy the Great, Del Water Gap), the EP features Zac Coe on drums and Zoe Zeeman on bass — and ribbons a current of romantic tension through every song.

“It’s the question I asked myself when I moved back home,” John-Robert says of the title. “Where do I go musically and professionally from here? Where do I wanna be? It felt appropriate.”

If you came expecting another porch-light folk record, the opening title track will knock you sideways in the best way. Jazzy, sultry, and built around a bold saxophone solo recorded by Ognjen “Ogi” Gotovcevic in his LA bedroom — with an intro inspired by the Isley Brothers’ “Choosey Lover” — it announces a confident new era right out of the gate. From there, “Did It Just Because” flips the typical cheating-song script with a cheeky bounce, “Tethered” offers the EP’s most tender breath, “Anna” unfolds as a warm, anticipatory love song, and closer “Low Roller” returns to the Appalachia-forged, West Coast-shaped songwriting that’s become his signature — scuffs and all.

To mark the release, John-Robert has also dropped a new live performance video for the title track, directed by Jacob Butler (La Lom) and styled by Jon Alan for Buck Mason. He’s backed by brothers Devin and Cameron Thistle of Saburnia, with Ogi Gotovcevic reprising his saxophone role. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/@johnrobertmusic

Fresh off three sold-out Colorado dates supporting Buffalo Traffic Jam, John-Robert heads out on his own headline run in May, with a second leg in August that includes a slot at Seattle’s Capitol Hill Block Party.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES
May 4 — Washington, DC — Pie Shop
May 5 — Philadelphia, PA — Nikki Lopez
May 6 — New York, NY — Night Club 101
May 7 — Richmond, VA — Banditos
May 11 — Chicago, IL — Schubas
May 14 — Nashville, TN — The Basement
May 15 — Decatur, GA — Eddie’s Attic
May 16 — Durham, NC — The Pinhook
May 23 — Boston, MA — Warehouse XL
August 4 — Denver, CO — Globe Hall
August 5 — Salt Lake City, UT — Kilby Court
August 7 — Boise, ID — Shrine Basement
August 8 — Portland, OR — Polaris Hall
August 9 — Seattle, WA — Capitol Hill Block Party (festival)
August 11 — San Francisco, CA — 4 Star Theater
August 12 — Santa Cruz, CA — The Crepe Place
August 14 — San Diego, CA — Garden Coffee
August 15 — Los Angeles, CA — Gold Diggers

Where Do You Wanna Go? is out now everywhere. Press play, and then go figure out where you wanna go too.