Nearly two decades into his music career, singer-songwriter Joshua Radin is back with his ninth studio album, The Ghost and the Wall, which once again showcases the pairing of his distinct vocals and folky guitar patterns. This time, the singer best known for “I’d Rather Be With You”  takes a look at himself and his relationship weaknesses as he learns to emerge from the pandemic with strength, hope and a newfound sense of being.

Radin opens the 10-track album with “Goodbye,” which is accentuated by his signature soft vocal style. He lets down his walls and confesses his habitually fearful approach to love. “Someday I hope you’ll understand/ One day I hope I can be that man/ But for now I’m just a boy who ran,” he sings. The majority of the song is brought out by repetitious acoustic guitar fingerpicking, which later gives way to soothing piano phrases.

He slows it down with the acoustic, lullaby-like “Fewer Ghosts.” Here he builds on from the opening track, confessing to emotional pain in the past that’s created obstacles to breaking down the walls of his heart. In a way, he begins to heal with a sense of hope for a blossoming love, singing, “When I’m down… all I need to know is you.” This song’s tranquil yet uplifting qualities are moving. Radin performed it for a virtual benefit concert to help homeless pets via the organization Best Friends.

The elegantly produced “Better Life” begins with softer layers of acoustic guitar before the chorus picks up the pace to an uplifting tone, as Radin explores a new chapter of love and life. “Make It Easy” then brings out more of his soft Americana vibe, paired with heartbreaking lyrics. “I don’t want to be the one who always should say ‘you should stay,’” he sings.

“Hey You” opens with a catchy palm-muted pattern that plays off of Radin’s poppy yet vulnerable vocals, as he returns to the theme of escaping a lover before they get too close or get hurt. The chorus says it bluntly enough: “It’s hard to run from the hurt inside/ Sometimes we run just to stay alive.”

“I’ll Be Your Friend” is a sweet, piano-driven ballad with undertones of violin that pull at the heartstrings as Joshua Radin reassures a loved one facing a tough period. Building from there is “You’re My Home,” which has a folkier style with acoustic strumming and fingerpicked riffs. The theme is quite similar to its predecessor, with Radin supporting someone he loves. “If you need somebody/ I want to be the one you call,” he pronounces at the outset. Then during the chorus, he turns up the power on his vocals while percussive claps make for a danceable anthem.

Radin gets more optimistic on “Not Today,” which is marked by upbeat, acoustic guitar rhythms layered and complemented by catchy piano phrases as light percussion adds flavor. Even though “the world’s on fire,” Radin assures listeners that not an ounce of negativity is going to drag him down.

He turns to a heavier pop sound on “Till the Morning” as he finds a new light and watches his “troubles fade away.” Trickles of rhythmic piano patterns mimic the sound of rain pattering on a window. “I always blame the weather/ But we needed a storm to bring us together,” he sings.

On the closing track, “Next To Me,” pop meets traditional folk and Americana tones. Multiple guitars and pianos converge in an ensemble before smashing drumming explodes into the choral entrance. During the album’s final, dramatic chorus, single piano strokes bring out the tones of Radin’s voice.

Follow writer Amelia Parreira at Twitter.com/AmeliaParreira.