Hailing from Louisville, KY, Arrested Youth broke out in the late 2010s with songs that combined a propulsive sound that straddled alternative rock, punk, and hip-hop with an unvarnished perspective on mental health and the unique challenges of 21st century living. Projects like 2019’s Sobville (Episode I) and 2021’s Nonfiction connected with fans in a big way, leading to national headlining tours and runs opening for Twenty One Pilots, Yungblud, The Mowgli’s, and more.

In 2021, Johnson faced a life-altering diagnosis of Chiari Malformation Type I, which led to Johnson undergoing intensive brain and spinal surgery. The recovery was lengthy and brutal, thrusting Johnson into a period of reckoning with his own mortality, his personal values, and his own artistic authenticity.

As his health recovered, Johnson felt re-energized, both philosophically and musically. Taking on life with fresh eyes, he embraced what felt like a more honest musical approach to Arrested Youth, one that felt less like him performing what he thought audiences and the industry wanted and more like a true expression of his inner self.

“I’ve always believed in the power of authenticity in music. For me, this album is not just a collection of songs – it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. While writing and recording Too Late to Start Over, my intention was to create an album that people could relate to on a deeply personal level – songs that offered them solace in their own journey. This album chronicles my life over the past few years, and I hope my story serves as a source of strength for others.”