Rostam returns with American Stories, his third solo album and first in over five years. The Iranian-American songwriter and producer draws together Americana and Persian musical traditions, pairing finger-picked guitars and pedal steel with microtonal Persian melodies. The songs unfold as personal reflections and short stories drawn from Rostam’s own life. The Weight captures the atmosphere of college campuses in America during the spring of 2025, while Forgive is to Know reflects on real events and the process of writing itself. Hardy, featuring Clairo, explores the end of a relationship. Across American Stories, Rostam weaves together intimate songwriting and cross-cultural influences into a thoughtful, reflective set of songs.