“At my deepest core, I am a storyteller.”

When Rosehardt steps up to a mic, he does so with the clear intention of connecting. His every song is an intimate act of sharing truth and insight into life as he has seen and experienced it. This is the fuel of his new album,
’the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrink’.

Led by the gently percussive, ‘90s-spiced introductory single “Hunted,” the set offers compelling tales of love and emotional growth through the lens of a young black man during these ever- turbulent, constantly changing times. Lyrics that are rife with vulnerability and vividly drawn scenarios are sewn into vibrant musical arrangements that fuse elements of hip-hop, vintage R&B, pop, and funk. In short, the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrink brilliantly succeeds in matching a strong creative point-of-view with universal accessibility.

“There was no calculation in making this record,” the artist, whose full name is Caleb Eberhardt says. “These are simply stories that I wanted to tell. They came to me quite naturally. I was not thinking about being commercial. I was thinking about putting my ideas forward in a pure and coherent way.”

Produced by Rosehardt, with Davy Levitan and Joy Morales (with additional production by Wynne Bennett on “Satellites” and “808 SHIMMY”), the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrink is the latest salvo in a musical journey that began in 2018 with his critically acclaimed debut album Songs in the Key of Solitude, the singles from which earned praise from such tastemakers as Pitchfork, Pigeons & Planes, Hot97, Okayplayer, and Earmilk, among others. Since then, he has released the EPs how are you?, Vol. 1 & 2 (2020 and 2022, respectively). Experienced in chronological order, these records assemble the story of a man in search of philosophical answers to daily life within the context of music that is, by turns, raw and silky smooth. For Rosehardt, this new project fits into the overall narrative, serving as an optimistic forecast into his future.

“The more I work on this album the more it feels like an homage to the version of myself I want to be in my old age – a person who will listen back 30 years from now and do so with a pride that says ‘you were so scared, if only you knew it was going to be okay,’” he says. “If I only could have told you that you were going to be totally fine. He continues, “In the present, when I listen through these songs, they feel like simple yet colorful snapshot expressions of larger existential conversations I have with myself every day; ones that allow me a glimpse at the person.”

A deep dive into the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrink reveals an affecting contrast of complex groove and melodies with sensitive, often intense lyrics. The opening song, “i don’t have much time,” elegantly addresses the fragility of life, informed in part by the loss of Rosehardt’s father to Alzheimer's disease. “His illness has touched a lot of what I do. It has been a deeply significant part of my life.”

Elsewhere, Rosehardt enlists the talent of revered musicians Masego and Brasstracks (aka Ivan Jackson), whose trumpet flourishes on “Baby Love” add swing to an already potent groove. Acting/singing powerhouse Jeremy Pope and R&B renegade Kreea add flair and flavor to the percussive future single “cheat code.” Beyond those collaborations, Rosehardt proves to be a compelling vocal presence all on his own on tracks like the pop-inflected banger “808 SHIMMY” and the stark ballad “[t__n flame].” It adds up to a deeply personal collection that he freely and happily releases into the world. “I work extremely hard on every word and note of every song. But when the record is done, it no longer belongs to me. It belongs to anyone willing to listen. It’s there for them to embrace and interpret as their lives and experiences dictate. For me, knowing that the music has been made to the best of my ability is the best feeling. Everything else is a bonus.”

The concept of the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrink is further illustrated by the feature-length documentary It Happened Like This: A Music Documentary & Concert Film. Directed by Gabriel Gomez and Alice Plati, the intensely revealing film unpacks Rosehardt’s fascinating life story amid intimate glimpses into the making of his new album and live performances. It’s a story that traces back to a youth spent in San Francisco as the son of a father who was a preacher and a mother who is an artist/dance professor. “Making art in one form or another was always a part of my life,” Rosehardt says. “It wasn’t even that I was guided in one director or another. I just did what came naturally. All creative expressions were valid and encouraged by my parents.”

That includes an equally successful career as an actor. Since moving to Brooklyn, NY, he has balanced his musical endeavors with a plethora of roles on stage and screen. Rosehardt made his Broadway acting debut in 2019 performing in Tarrell Alvin McCranney's Tony-nominated play Choir Boy, HBO’s Betty, and the Ryan Coogler-produced Judas & The Black Messiah. Additionally, he starred in Branden Jacobs Jenkins groundbreaking 2023 play The Comeuppance and is currently on Broadway alongside Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli in An Enemy of the People. While most performers will compartmentalize their efforts, Rosehardt sees music and acting as “totally interactive. With each project, I learn more about myself and what I can bring to whatever comes next. It all coalesces into my ultimate mission in life: to be a storyteller.”

With over 2 million total streams of Songs in the Key of Solitude, sold out performances in multiple cities, a support tour for Omar Apollo, and a powerful “COLORS Berlin” performance (nearing 3 million plays on YouTube), Rosehardt is well on his way to becoming one of 2024’s most exciting and dynamic breakthrough stars.