North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Anjimile has officially announced his forthcoming full-length album, You’re Free to Go, scheduled for release on March 13 via 4AD. The announcement arrives with the luminous lead single “Like You Really Mean It,” a track overflowing with tenderness and vulnerability. Accompanied by a beautiful video directed by Caity Arthur, the single captures a playful, intimate moment; Anjimile shares:
“I wrote this to make my girlfriend want to give me a kiss. We live about an hour apart, and I was just by myself thinking about her. Thinking about wanting a kiss. What could I do to get a kiss from my sweetheart? Write a song about it! Anyway, it worked.”
Stream Links: https://anjimile.ffm.to/likeyoureallymeanit
Produced by the intuitive Brad Cook, the album marks a stylistic evolution from the dense, complex arrangements of 2023’s The King. This new collection unfolds organically, grounded in warm acoustic guitars, lush strings, and subtle synth textures. The record features a prestigious list of collaborators, including Nathan Stocker (Hippo Campus), Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver), and guest vocalist Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)—a long-time hero of Anjimile whose influence is felt throughout the record’s exploratory atmosphere.
You’re Free to Go picks up where Anjimile’s previous work left off, but with hands open wide. While songs like “Exquisite Skeleton” and “Ready or Not” navigate heavier truths regarding familial estrangement and transphobia, the record ultimately radiates light. It explores the complexities of change—from deep grief to the joyful embrace of non-monogamy. The album also showcases a shift in Anjimile’s vocal delivery; his voice has gained a relaxed, expressive depth through his journey with hormonal therapy, amplifying the album’s emotional resonance and allowing him to express himself with greater authenticity.
Ultimately, this album is a portrait of transformation as an opening rather than a wound. As Anjimile prepares for intimate live performances, he offers these songs as a practice of “breathing into the question.” You’re Free to Go will be available on March 13 digitally, on CD, and on standard green vinyl.
Pre-Order here: https://anjimile.ffm.to/yourefreetogo