Fools is a watershed event in the genesis of post-bossa. The record subverts traditional concepts of what “alternative” music is, disposing of tired chord progressions, kitschy themes, and larping emo aesthetics. The compositions here show what music can be and do when it does not pander to an audience, allowing Roseboro unprecedented freedom to weave poems of grief, girls, and God over melodies indifferent to what the genre might seem to be. The result is visceral, vulnerable, and most of all, true. 

 Roseboro’s most collaborative work to date, Fools hosts personnel from Brooklyn’s most talented friend group: most consistently, neighbors Luke Jr and Yamp, performing on and co-producing nearly every track with Reid Devereaux contributing horns, bass, and slide guitar. The four musicians had already headlined tours together the previous year, performing at SXSW, Montreal Jazz Festival and supporting dear Ron Gallo who has been championing John for over two years, often to deaf ears... John would go on to arrange and perform Ron’s “Psycho Moment” for the album. Other featured artists include fan favorites and familiar faces: Liam McMcay (sign crushes motorist), Mei Semones, John Lisi (Twin Brother), Juliana Chahayed, and Liana Flores. 

Just a few years ago, there was no John Roseboro. After a bad relationship and a worse break up, John was virtually homeless, penniless, and anonymous. Maintaining faith has brought him everything and this is echoed in interviews and throughout his discography. Independently managing, funding, and distributing his work John has to say “I am gambling on the integrity of my relationships and the impact of these songs… thank you for holding my hand.” 

 Public Confession Art House (July, 2024) 
credits
released October 1, 2024 

Fools (2024) 

Fools by John Roseboro 
All songs written, performed, and produced by John Roseboro* 
Engineering and co-production by Luke Jr 
Assistant Engineering by Yamp and Reid Devereaux 
Recorded at home in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. 

Vocals, Guitars, Bass (4,7,9) Percussion (1,6,4,9,10), Accordion (6), Saz (10) by John Roseboro 
Drums and Percussion (1,3,4,7,8,9,10) by Luke Jr 
Saxophone (1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10) Piano (6,8) by Yamp 
Trumpet (2,8) French Horn (4,9) Bass (2,4) Slide (8) by Reid Devereaux 
Vocals (1,2) Guitar (1) by Mei Semones 
Upright (1,3,6,10) by John Lisi 
Bass (8) by Michael Barnes 
Percussion (2) by Ransom McCarthy 
Violin (10) by Claudius Agrippa 
Clarinet (5) by Regina 
Vocal (8) by Liana Flores 

"Johnny" cowritten and performed Mei Semones 
"I Did The Math" featuring Sign Crushes Motorist 
"Crumb" featuring Liana Flores 
"Alt Ego" featuring Juliana Chahayed 

"Psycho Moment" originally written by Ron Gallo* 

Cover Art by Lauren Cline 
Mixed and Mastered by Luke Jr at home in Brooklyn, NY 

Public Confession Art House LLC (All Rights Reserved)

Psycho Moment

Miles Davis - Golden Collection, Vol. 5

Saeta

Who's Gonna Save The World

Linda Movement

The Sisters

Heard It All Before

Running Away (ft. Joey Dosik David, T. Walker & James Gadson)

Madvillain, Vol. 1

Curls

FEMME

Spilling into You (feat. Kojey Radical)

Float Back To You

Broom (Instrumental)

Heard It All Before

Weldon Irvine