In the album’s opening track, Holiday conjures up a deserted, nostalgic landscape at a point of grandiose turmoil. Creating a starting point for an album meant to be listened to in order, inevitable loss from song to song feels prophesied, almost making death feel greater than life.

“This song is about one of my lowest moments, and the beginning of my mental health recovery,” shares Holiday. “My therapist at the time wasn't working, and the only thing that got me out alive was writing about what I was going through. I know it’s a heavy way to start an album but I wanted to be very open from the start. Looking back on it all now, I feel extremely lucky and hopeful that the worst is behind me.”

Born in Romania but now based in Nashville, Holiday’s ability to sonically shapeshift has taught him to see romance in all things melancholic. His downtempo, lo-fi inspired sound is bolstered by an affinity towards vintage microphones, tape machines and other antiquated recording equipment. Though he records and produces much of his music on his own, Holiday is no stranger to calling in collaboration at the correct moments.

After releasing music for years, Holiday never envisioned himself wanting to release a full-length album. But as he worked on the songs that now build out My Favorite Drug, the threads that held a larger story together couldn’t be ignored. Already off of the LP, he has released the sultry “I Don’t Wanna Party Anymore” featuring Kacey Musgraves and “Closer” which was co-written by Cage The Elephant’s Matt Shultz.

Kicking off next week, Holiday will join Declan McKenna on his North American tour. This follows his Austin City Limits debut last week and closely tails a summer tour run with Cage The Elephant, Young The Giant and Bakar, where he was praised for transporting listeners to a trance-like dream.