Some songs are just going to be acoustic with just maybe some light background stuff going on and maybe violin or something like that. Or sax - I mean, I'm definitely having some sax. That's just what I love. It's going to be jazz-rock stuff. That's what I'm aiming for.

On November 6 2012 "Where We Came From" was released in advance of the album release as a free download on pre-order and for sale. The album was certified Gold by RIAA in January 2013. He described his music as "jazz rock alternative sound".

He won the eleventh season of American Idol on May 23 2012. Phillip LaDon Phillips Jr. His debut album The World from the Side of the Moon was released on November 19 2012.