A Shadow of My Future Self

The album was initially teased on 3 October 2020 through Jennings' social media and was later announced by name on 25 June 2021 along with the release of the album's first single "Words We Can't Unsay."[2] Subsequent singles "Grounded[3]," "Violet[4]," "Feelings[5]," and "Catcher in the Rye[6]" were released monthly with music videos until the albums release, with "Rocket Science" receiving a music video upon the album's release.[7]

An acoustic rendition of the album titled Acoustic Shadows was performed as part of a paid livestream by Jennings on 23 July 2021, with videos of the performances of "Words We Can't Unsay" and "Feelings" being released later on.[8][9][10] An Acoustic Shadows tour was scheduled to coincide with the albums launch but were cancelled due to financial woes and the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

The album later recieved a Japanese release with an orchestral version of the song "Better Times" included as a bonus track.[12]

All lyrics are written by Ross Jennings.

Reception for the album has been generally positive. SonicPerspectives highly praised the album, stating "Jennings’ debut confidently establishes him as an artist in his own right with the potential to chart whichever course he wishes in the future. A Shadow of My Future Self” is one of 2021’s true gems."[13] The PROG Mind also strongly praised the album, in particuclar its diversity, stating "The music can sound like New Wave one moment, Pink Floyd another, and then something all Ross’ own in still another. The range is impressive, and one reason why this record really works."[14]

The album was later nominated for The Prog Report's album of the year, as well as being nominated for four other categories including "Album Production of the Year," "Epic of the Year" ("Phoenix"), "Music VIdeo of the Year" ("Feelings") and "Song of the Year" ("Violet").[15]

Musicians

• Ross Jennings – vocals, guitar
• Nathan Navarro – bass, additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Simen Sandnes – drums, additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Vikram Shankar – piano, keyboards, additional vocals on "Phoenix", orchestral arrangement
• Kristian Frostad – lap steel guitar
• Jørgen Lund Karlsen – saxophone, brass arrangements on "Word We Can't Unsay"
• Sigurd Evensen – trombone
• Stig Espen Hundsnes – trumpet
• Yulia Jennings – additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Dylan Laine – additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Amanda Wilson – additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Paul Winstanley – additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Karim Sinno – additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Clea Daher – additional vocals on "Phoenix"
• Fredrik Bergersen Klemp – additional vocals on "Phoenix"

Technical

• Ross Jennings – production
• Karim Sinno – mixing, additional editing and engineering
• Ermin Hamidovic – mastering
• Paul 'Win' Wintanley – vocals and additional guitar recording and engineering