John Roberts, the Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, and recording artist best known for voicing Linda Belcher on Bob’s Burgers, has released his new single “Complicated” alongside a music video inspired by queer underground cinema and classic horror films. The track is the second single from his forthcoming third studio album, I Am, arriving November 20, and draws on the intoxicating energy of nightlife, desire, and the unpredictable choices that can come with seeking connection.
Built around the tension between attraction and self-destruction, “Complicated” explores the impulse to chase excitement even when the consequences are uncertain. The song channels the darker side of a night out, where the search for intimacy can become difficult to control.
“The inspiration behind this track is very Scorpio at night and nightlife. Not being able to control the urge to go out and hook up. Looking for Mr Goodbar, and how that can be a slippery slope,” Roberts explains.
The accompanying video brings that atmosphere to life through references to queer cult cinema and vintage horror. Drawing inspiration from Kenneth Anger’s underground film Scorpio Rising and William Friedkin’s Cruising, starring Al Pacino, the visual also incorporates the shadowy mood associated with classic black-and-white werewolf films such as The Wolf Man. These influences create a cinematic backdrop for the song’s exploration of nightlife, temptation, and the darker impulses that can emerge after hours.
The release also reflects Roberts’ longstanding connection to New York City’s downtown nightlife and queer music scenes. Before becoming widely recognized as the voice of Linda Belcher on Bob’s Burgers, he immersed himself in the city’s club culture and developed a lasting passion for electronic and dance music dating back to the 1990s rave scene. Those influences have continued to shape his work as a recording artist, leading to collaborations with Debbie Harry, Beth Ditto, Blondie, Junior Sanchez, Big Black Delta, and Benny Benassi.
“Complicated” follows “Never,” the first single from I Am. Where that earlier release explored the rush of falling in love over a brooding electronic beat, the new track turns toward the more unpredictable side of desire. Together, the singles introduce an album that balances dancefloor energy with personal reflection.
For I Am, Roberts worked closely with Chris Wallace, a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Meghan Trainor, Madison Beer, Tinashe, Keith Urban, and 24KGoldn. Written and recorded throughout 2026 at The Cutting Room in New York City, the 11-track album blends electro-pop with house and indie dance influences. Deep grooves meet the synthesizers and hooks of the 1980s pop and R&B that shaped Roberts’ musical tastes, including the work of George Michael, Madonna, Depeche Mode, and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Beneath its club-ready sound, I Am explores grief, personal change, and questions surrounding connection and existence. Written following the death of Roberts’ mother and another period of transition in his personal life, the album emerged from a desire to keep creating amid uncertainty. Its themes move between loss and self-examination, eventually reaching what Roberts describes as “the recycling of matter and mystical oneness.”
Roberts began his solo recording career with 2019’s “Looking,” produced by Big Black Delta, after previously appearing alongside Blondie on “Love Level” from the band’s 2017 album Pollinator. His 2021 album Lights Out, produced by Junior Sanchez, pushed further into electronic and club music, featuring collaborations with Debbie Harry and Beth Ditto, alongside remixes from Felix da Housecat and Harry Romero.
His subsequent release, Outside is a Clown, arrived last year as a 13-track collection featuring production from Kevin Rudolf, Big Black Delta, and Junior Sanchez. Throughout his solo work, Roberts has described songwriting as an instinctive process, often beginning with a rhythm track before improvising melodies and building the rest of the song around them.
Beyond music, Roberts continues to balance his recording career with acting and comedy. Bob’s Burgers recently aired its 16th season, with a 17th season scheduled to return in early 2027. He has also opened for comedy icon Margaret Cho and appeared in the comedy-drama Stress Positions (2024) and romantic comedy Fire Island (2022).
Ahead of the release of I Am, Roberts will celebrate the album and his birthday with a special performance featuring songs from the new record and his existing catalog, alongside guests, at Drom in New York City on November 12. With “Complicated,” he continues to bring together his interests in electronic music, queer nightlife, and provocative visual storytelling, setting the stage for an album that places personal experiences alongside the irresistible pull of the dancefloor.