Two days before he is set to perform at the 2026 Oscars, Josh Groban has announced his new album, Cinematic, which is due May 8 via Reprise Records. A tribute to music from the silver screen, the 10-track album was produced by Greg Wells and was recorded in both Los Angeles and London.
It’s Groban’s 10th studio album and his first in more than five years. Cinematic is something of a companion to his 2015 album Stages, which consisted of songs from Broadway musicals. Stages brought Groban a Grammy nod for best traditional pop vocal album, one of three he has received in that category.
To herald the announcement, Josh has shared his soaring new rendition of the Elton John/Tim Rice ballad “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King, featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.
Two other tracks also feature special guests. Jennifer Hudson, who is the special guest on Groban’s upcoming North American tour, is featured on “Unchained Melody,” best known for its appearance in the 1990 film Ghost. Groban’s dad, Jack Groban, plays a trumpet solo on “Moon River,” the classic ballad from the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about the way a song or score can elevate a story and stay with you long after the credits roll,” Groban said in a statement. “With Cinematic, I wanted to honor that feeling — the nostalgia, the drama, the romance — while bringing my own voice and perspective to these timeless songs. Recording this album felt like stepping into some of the most iconic moments in film history, and I hope listeners are transported the same way I have always been when the lights go down and the music begins.”
Five of the 10 tracks won Oscars for best original song. Two others were nominated but didn’t win. “Unchained Melody” was nominated when it was written for the 1955 film Unchained. (It lost to “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.”) Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” was nominated, but lost to Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”
The three other songs on the album weren’t eligible for Oscars because they weren’t written for the films in which they appeared. They are “Brucia La Terra,” a Sicilian-language rendition of “Love Theme From The Godfather” (sometimes known as “Speak Softly, Love”); “As Time Goes By,” famous for its use in Casablanca; and “Stand By Me,” which was a hit long before it was featured in Rob Reiner’s classic film of the same name.
On Feb. 7, Groban kicked off his GEMS World Tour with a performance in Honolulu. There are seven remaining dates on the World Tour. From June 2 to July 3, the tour continues through North America with special guest Jennifer Hudson. Groban will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace this fall for “GEMS The Las Vegas Residency” (Oct. 2, 3, 7 and 9).
See Groban’s Cinematic announcement and tracklist below:
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.billboard.com ’
