Christopher Ardra Returns With New Single “Tell Me” | Announced New York City Show March 26 @ DROM
New York artist Christopher Ardra returns today with his new single “Tell Me,” a song about trying to figure out who you want to be or what you actually want in life. Written and produced by Ardra in his Long Island studio, “Tell Me” is the first taste from a sophomore album due later in 2026.
Discussing the single, Ardra notes,
“‘Tell Me’ was one of the first I wrote as a solo artist, and I’ve performed it at every show I’ve had, although it’s grown up a bit along the way. The song is about several people in my life who I feel do not act in their own interest because they cannot figure out what they want. They don’t know where they see themselves and therefore are constantly creating situations that they do not actually want to be in.
I have two horn players on this song; Jerry Loeb who was my middle school/high school band teacher and is probably the person most responsible in my life for educating me about how to create music and the theory behind it. And Gabi Rose (Bilmurri/The Jonas Brothers) playing saxophone.”
The atmospheric album opener and first single “Tell Me” immediately draws the listener in. Ardra’s smooth, whispered vocals make way for a danceable celebration of melody and groove buoyed by female backing vocals. Like much of Ardra’s work, the song is a meeting of the virtual – in this case programmed beats – and the visceral, with lush vocals, live drums, a spoken-word interlude, and fluid, fleet-fingered guitars.
“Tell Me” follows Ardra’s 2025 EP, SaiRu and 2024 LP, Sometimes Other Times. After five records with the band Station, Ardra is proving himself to be a restless and nimble solo artist, continually expanding and exploring new musical avenues.
Review
“Tell Me” captures that heavy feeling of wondering where the years went while you were stuck in a rut. The lyrics about a stopped watch perfectly describe the “drift” in a relationship—being physically there but losing the emotional connection. It’s a relatable look at how it feels to go through the motions while time just slips away.
The song really hits home when it asks if the person you’re with is being real or just living a lie. It calls out how easy it is to waste time overthinking “how” to fix things instead of just trying. It’s an honest, desperate plea for a real conversation and a way back to the dreams you used to share.
With the urgent, repeating chorus, the track feels like someone finally hitting their breaking point. It balances the sadness of a fading spark with the hope that there are still “signs” worth following. It’s a solid, straightforward song for anyone tired of the silence and ready to finally face the truth.