Ana Yglesias
It's been almost 25 years since Steve Perry, the former lead singer of GRAMMY nominated group Journey, released new music. But today the singer has made his return with a heartfelt song called "No Erasin'" off his upcoming album, Traces.
<iframe width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oawl9e-tFVM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Perry released a touching statement to his fans, who have been waiting years to see his return.
“I would not come back to it now unless I could be absolutely emotionally honest about the music," Perry said in the statement. "I’m not trying to top what I’ve done in the past, or better anyone or anything…All I’m trying to do now is make music that really matters to me and I hope maybe will really matter to other people too.”
"I know it's been a long time comin' since I saw your face./It's been so long since we're together," he sings in the single – fitting words for Perry to open with. The new song and video feel like a love song not just to a long lost lover, but also to his fans. In the video, Perry sings passionately into the microphone and confidently taking center stage again; this time with a renewed energy and a new story to tell.
As part of Journey, Perry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, where he gave a speech but did not perform with his bandmates. Other than a live performance with the Eels in 2014, he has largely remained out of the music world and the public eye since his time with Journey.
Traces will feature more new music from Perry and will be released on Oct. 5. More information, including to pre-order the album, is available on his website.
