Joshua Bassett is back with a new single and it's an emotional one. On Friday, August 12th, the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series actor dropped the vulnerable guitar and piano-led song "Smoke Slow," which hears him pining for a love interest he knows isn't interested or available.
âAll that we are is all that weâll ever be, âcause heâs the one waiting at home,â Bassett sings in the chorus. âShe holds my guitar as I pluck out a melody/Thereâs only so far we can go/Next to you, but Iâll never be close/So take your time while youâre mine and smoke slow.â
The song's accompanying music video features Bassett meeting a girl at a party. The two proceed to have a chat while smoking a cigarette together. As they dip their feet in a pool, Bassett imagines the two of them sharing intimate moments, addicted to "illusions of a love that never was." Meanwhile, a character played by Love, Victor actor Michael Cimino is looking for his date at the party.
âThis song is about savoring those moments with a person you feel close to, but know you canât be with,â Bassett said of the song via Rolling Stone. âSince I couldnât say it aloud, of course, I had to write a song about it â ha!â
"Smoke Slow" comes after the premiere of HSMTMTS's third season in which Bassett portrays Ricky Bowen. He and his rumored ex-girlfriend Olivia Rodrigo reunited on the red carpet last month. He's also preparing to embark on a short set of tour dates this fall after canceling the majority of a previously announced larger set of dates.
Sept. 9 â Toronto, ON @ Axis Lounge
Sept. 12 â New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Sept. 13 â New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Oct. 16 â Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
Oct. 17 â Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour