EDGE Interview: With ‘Earthly Delights,’ David Archuleta Finds Power in Identity, Sensuality, and Authenticity

Basking in the huge success of his worldwide hit “Crème Brulée” (& the Hayley Wood remix) and follow-up singles, “Can I Call You” & “Dulce Amor” off his recent Earthly Delights EP, David Archuleta is ready to share more new music with a deluxe version that was recently released. 

The Earthly Delights EP is David’s first collection of new music in over five years with the deluxe version featuring two brand new tracks - “Fade To Black” (written by David, Michael Cody Dear, Ryan Nealon and Alexander Lewis who also produced the track) & “Inside Out” (written by David, Noah Davis, Ryan Nealon and Michael Blum who also produced the track) as well as acoustic versions of “Crème Brulee” and “Can I Call You.”  

David says about the Earthly Delights (Deluxe Edition) EP:

“I’m thrilled to share these extra new songs on the deluxe edition of the 'Earthly Delights' EP.  I’ve been inspired by so many new things in my life these past few years, and I felt like these songs deserved to be part of the story that I want to share with you all.  It’s fun for me to include you on my journey as I create all this new music, and I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do.”

David previously shared about Earthly Delights:

“I’m in my indulgence mode when it comes to giving into my sensuality. Something I always villainized before. There’s something sweet about being naughty. And it’s actually helped me to get in touch with more tender vulnerable parts of myself. So Earthly Delights is taking in the pleasures of what I always thought would keep me out of heaven. For the belief I always had of the hell and unhappiness I would experience for giving into my “carnal nature” of sexuality, which is the natural instinct of humans and even what leads to the source of life itself, here’s to a big F you to my old fears and embracing the sensual side and “earthly delights” of how good and rich it feels. It really is the source to life.”

Questioning his beliefs and the indoctrination of his youth, the innately angelic David has fallen out of grace with the church and his family. Traversing through his own personal hells, he finds a connection with his inner strength in the process— and grounding in his own authentic queer identity. David now re-emerges into the realm of earthly delights. Here, he explores the pleasures and pain of terrestrial life: the sweet indulgences of connection and heartbreak, sensuality and physicality. Innocent at the core, but now balanced and rounded by newfound flirtiness and sass, boldness and humor— he’s an embodied being of the earth, here to take in the full spectrum of what life has to offer, with courage, playfulness, and a beaming inner light.

From the sweetness of ‘Crème Brulée’ to the raw honesty of his new tracks, David’s latest chapter is as much about self-discovery as it is about music. In our conversation, he opened up about the emotions, inspirations, and personal growth that shaped Earthly Delights.

EDGE: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Earthly Delights?

DA: I wanted to have fun. I wanted to indulge in the more sensual side of life a little bit. My process of going there turned it into this lover boy era. The songs are more Loverboy-oriented take on lyrics, but I think there's also a sexy and sultry side to the songs, with a little sweetness.

EDGE: It feels very personal—what themes or emotions were most important for you to capture this time around?

DA: I wanted to show what it felt like to indulge in sensuality and sexuality. So, I would say that's probably the result of every song on the EP.

EDGE: Which song do you feel best represents the emotional core of the album?

DA: I would say the first song I released is, and the reason I released it first was that I felt it was the beginning of the train, the engine. I wanted to show a flirtiness, a playfulness, and also, ‘Crème Brulée’ is in Spanish, well, it's in Spanglish. When I tap into my Latin roots, I feel more confident and connect with the sensual side of myself.  I would say ‘Crème Brulée’ is also the first single that people most connected with in this phase of my life.

EDGE: When you sat down to write this album, did you usually start with lyrics, melody, or a feeling you wanted to capture?

DA: I would say it's a feeling. I start by trying to uncover what that feeling is. As we begin discussing it, a melody starts to emerge. Sometimes when the melody comes out, I feel like it's trying to say this or that. Sometimes it'll come from a conversation with the other writers. I love to collaborate with other writers because I feel like it's easier to work as a team to get a point across, and it helps to bounce ideas off others. I've written songs on my own before, but I prefer to write with others.

EDGE: You’ve been so open about your journey of self-discovery—how has embracing your identity influenced your music?

DA: I would say embracing every aspect of who I am, including the parts that I was not as familiar with before, has helped me gain more confidence. I feel a lot more self-love than I ever did before. When you love yourself, you're able to put more love out into the world, and you feel better about yourself. I'm more confident now because of it.

EDGE: How do you see your role, not only as a musician, but as someone helping to move the conversation around faith, identity, and sexuality forward?

DA: I think sharing my story helps because a lot of people know where I started. In my teenage years, I had an audience of millions watching me as I developed, learned, and got to know myself. I was publicly and openly religious in the public eye, and a lot of people followed that part of my journey. As a result, they've seen where I've gone as I've transitioned into where I am today. Moving out of the religion and faith I grew up with, the reasons why I did, and making sure that I had the conversations about why. It has allowed me to have important conversations and for people to start those conversations within their own families, and hopefully in the religious Sunday school classes, even if they agree with who I am or not. I hope that it allows people to be more conscious and aware that there is not just one answer to everything. We're all different. We all have different personalities. We all have different genetics, DNA, and cultural backgrounds, which affect what works best for us. I hope to keep stirring the pot and keeping the conversation going even more. I've learned that if you don't stir the pot, then it’s a lot easier for people to ignore. I don't mind stirring the pot occasionally. Before, I was very afraid of doing it, and now I will do it without fear but with confidence.

EDGE: What is one Earthly Delight you can't live without?

DA: Definitely, Crème Brulée. Crème Brulée is one of the best desserts out there, along with cookies and vanilla ice cream. Those are my go-to earthly delights. 

EDGE: How do you hope your music can encourage people, especially young LGBTQ+ listeners, to embrace who they are?

DA: For me, it was realizing that there is a community within the LGBTQIA+ community and that you will find safety in your sexuality that's different from the norm. It's also important to realize that there's nuance that makes you an individual, and you may feel different from the cultural norms, even within your own community. I think it's important to give yourself freedom to be yourself, and hopefully, you will find that freedom within the queer community and the rest of society. Do not let any community or society norm make you feel bad or different. I love reminding people that it is okay to be yourself, because there's beauty in it, and that you can contribute in a unique way, offering people a perspective on life they may not have considered before. It can make people a little uncomfortable because people generally dislike being challenged. I learned that growing up as a Mormon and then after I left, I tried to have conversations about how I see things differently, or I'm different from what we were told as the norm, but it's important to challenge yourself and others. I believe that the queer community has been exceptionally adept at challenging social and societal norms, and we need to continue doing so while also finding ways to work together. Just remember that life may be scary and uncomfortable at times, but if you find a way to establish mutual ground, you'll gain more friends, allies, and a greater support system around you.

You can find Earthly Delights (Deluxe Edition) streaming on all major platforms and available for purchase through David Archuleta’s official website, iTunes, and Amazon. David is currently out on tour, bringing the Earthly Delights experience to fans with a series of live shows across the country. For tour and ticket information, visit www.davidarchuleta.com