A two-track EP by Taylor Tom, releasing August 21, 2026
What do you hold onto when the future you want feels almost impossible from where you are standing?
brings together two different versions of the same song: the original produced version and an acoustic version that has become Taylor Tom’s favorite way to perform it.
Although the arrangements feel very different, both versions carry the same central idea. “Positive Delusions” is about overcoming obstacles and continuing to envision a brighter future, even when the present gives you very little proof that the future you imagine will arrive.
Through images of pain, confinement, beaches, sunlight, mountains, and freedom, Taylor explores the tension between where a person is and where they still hope to go.
For Taylor, a “positive delusion” is a vision, dream, or hope that may not seem realistic from your current circumstances but still gives you something meaningful to move toward.
One Song, Two Different Experiences
“Positive Delusions” began several years ago when Taylor heard a beat that inspired him.
The first two verses and the hook came together naturally, but the song continued evolving over time. Taylor later added a third verse, and eventually he began playing the song acoustically.
What started as a beat-driven song became something very different when reduced to guitar and vocals.
The produced version carries the song’s laid-back energy and sense of movement. The acoustic version brings the melody, guitar, and lyrics closer to the surface, creating a more exposed and personal listening experience.
Today, the acoustic version is Taylor’s favorite way to perform the song.
This EP allows listeners to experience both sides of “Positive Delusions”—the original energy that inspired it and the acoustic form it grew into over time.
Where the Idea Began
The phrase “positive delusions” was inspired by an idea Taylor encountered in Chris Wilson’s book .
Wilson wrote about imagining positive possibilities for his future while facing circumstances that made those possibilities appear almost impossible.
Taylor connected with that idea.
“I was in need of some inspiration. A lot of times, I write songs while I am going through something or reflecting on something I went through in the past. This song is an accumulation of that—looking toward an unknown future while visualizing something positive.”
The phrase may sound like a contradiction. Delusion is normally understood as something negative or disconnected from reality.
Taylor’s interpretation is different.
A positive delusion does not require someone to ignore reality. It means allowing yourself to hold a hopeful vision before you can see exactly how that vision could become possible.
Holding a Vision for the Future
“Positive Delusions” is about overcoming obstacles and holding onto a positive vision for the future.
It does not ask listeners to ignore pain or pretend difficult circumstances are not real. Instead, it explores how a dream can give someone direction before they know exactly how they will reach it.
Taylor wrote the song while trying to imagine a future beyond what he was experiencing and the circumstances he continues to face.
“I was visualizing what a future looked like beyond what I was going through and the circumstances I still find myself in. The song became a way to capture that vision and hold it close.”
The song reflects Taylor’s trials and tribulations, his hope for a brighter future, and his desire to continue doing better.
It comes from the perspective of someone who has experienced pain, caused harm, accepted responsibility, and continued looking for ways to change, give back, and help others.
For Taylor, hope and accountability can exist together. Acknowledging the past does not require abandoning every possibility for the future.
Still Walking Through the Flames
One of the lyrics that means the most to Taylor is:
“Been burned by the fire, still walking through the flames.”
The line represents having been through hell, still living with difficult circumstances, and continuing to move forward.
Perseverance does not always mean the hardship is over. Sometimes it means continuing to move while the situation remains difficult.
Another deeply personal part of the song says:
“Locked behind these walls, been physically confined—hopeless days, sleepless nights, tucked away in time.”
Although Taylor’s physical confinement is real, the song is not a description of one specific event. Its lyrics are largely metaphorical and based on accumulated feelings, thoughts, struggles, and hopes.
Taylor believes different listeners may hear different meanings in the same words. Someone else’s walls, flames, or distant horizon may look very different from his.
The two versions of the song also create different ways to experience those lyrics. The produced version carries them forward through rhythm and energy, while the acoustic version gives the words more space to stand on their own.
Belief Can Move Me
The line Taylor continues returning to is:
“If faith can move a mountain, then belief can move me.”
Taylor believes that learning to believe in yourself can change what you are willing to attempt.
He also understands how powerful it can be when someone else sees potential in you before you are fully able to see it yourself.
“Believing in yourself and others is a key to success. When you believe in yourself, you can accomplish so much. When someone believes in you, it really boosts your confidence. It is important to believe in yourself and to believe in others.”
That belief does not erase consequences or guarantee a particular outcome.
It can, however, help someone take the next step toward a future they once struggled to imagine.
From Confinement to Open Space
When Taylor pictures “Positive Delusions,” he sees beaches, mountains, sunshine, and freedom.
He describes it as the feeling of tension finally being released.
That sense of openness appears throughout the song. Pain and confinement exist beside images of white sand, summer air, and a life beyond the visible horizon.
The contrast is part of what makes the song meaningful to Taylor. It acknowledges where he is while allowing him to imagine somewhere else.
The two-track EP reflects that contrast musically.
One version carries the fuller sound and relaxed energy of the original production. The other strips the song back to its guitar, melody, vocals, and message.
Together, the two versions show how the same vision can feel different depending on how it is expressed.
A Message From Taylor
“This song is for anyone who enjoys a chill song with a positive vibe, an uplifting message, and a deeper meaning.
“Let me take you on a journey that lifts your spirit and energizes your soul. This isn’t just a song. It is meant to inspire an experience that I hope will help you create a vision for yourself.
“No matter how hard things are or what you have been through, you can still begin creating a better tomorrow today.
“Listen to both versions and decide which one connects with you most.”
The “Positive Delusions” EP by Taylor Tom releases August 21, 2026.
