Joshua Redman's second Blue Note album, Words Fall Short, is a collection of original compositions that serves as an introduction to his new quartet with pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris, and drummer Nazir Ebo, the permanent band for the world tour supporting Redman's label debut, Where Are We. The album also features special guest appearances by saxophonist Melissa Aldana and vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa, as well as trumpeter Skylar Tang. While on tour with the band, Redman also decided to join them in the studio to record the music he had composed during the pandemic. The album captures the shifting moods of melancholy, sadness, and determination of that period.