New music: The Jayhawks, Weezer, Brandon Flowers, Night Ranger

In this column, I celebrate the latest full-length audio releases from The Jayhawks, Weezer, Brandon Flowers and Night Ranger; all of the titles are available now.

Artist: The Jayhawks

Title: Sanctuary Park (SHAM)
You might like if you enjoy: Wilco, The Jayhawks, Glen Campbell
Tell me more: Four decades into their stellar career, The Jayhawks continue to champion and celebrate Americana music with a masterful touch (the band's self-titled debut, dubbed by fans as The Bunkhouse Album, was released in 1986). On their outstanding 11-track album Sanctuary Park the Minnesota-based quartet continues its winning run with a batch of originals collectively bolstered by artful songcraft, sharp production, stellar musicianship, and shining lead and harmony vocals. The parade of compelling tracks on the Bob Ezrin-produced album include the political-minded "American Midnight," deeply affecting acoustic-flavored "Mr. Lincoln," sweeping gospel-meets-folk foray "Leap Of Faith," bewitching country rocker "Kingston Girl," magical "It'll Be All Right Tonight" and exuberant "Keeping Our Heads Above Water." The Jayhawks (guitarist-singer Gary Louris, bassist-singer Marc Perlman, keyboardist-singer Karen Grotberg, drummer-singer Tim O'Reagan) will perform at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA at 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2026. Information: jayhawksofficial.com.

Artist: Weezer

Title: Weezer (also known as the Gold Album) (Reprise Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Weezer, The Smithereens, Lit
Tell me more: Celebrated modern rock quartet Weezer is back with the outstanding 10-track Weezer (also known as the Gold Album), the band's first new full-length studio album since 2021's Van Weezer. Weezer's 20th studio album is a true triumph, celebrating the collaborative spirit of singer-guitarist Rivers Cuomo, drummer-guitarist-vocalist Patrick Wilson, guitarist-vocalist Brian Bell and bassist-vocalist Scott Shriner working together. Produced by Klas Åhlund and Kenneth Blume, Weezer entices with each and every listen. Early highlights on the LP include the exuberant aptly-titled "Say Yes," immersive alt rockers "Shine Again" and "Don't Make It Weird," soaring "We Might As Well Be Strangers" and satirical "C.E.O." The momentum of the album never falters courtesy of the playfully funny "Hoops," genre-blending "Nowhere," intoxicating rocker "The Show Must Go On," introspective "Up In The Clouds" and dreamy album closer "The LA Sound." 

Weezer is on tour with two great openers (The Shins and Silvers Pickups); upcoming dates include concerts in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 20, San Diego, CA on Oct. 21 and Los Angeles, CA on Oct. 24. Information: weezer.com.

Artist: Brandon Flowers

Title: Thrasher (Island Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Killers, Bruce Springsteen, David Serby
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Brandon Flowers has released Thrasher, his first solo album in more than a decade. Best known as the talented lead singer of The Killers, Flowers showcases his formidable skills mining traditional country and roots styles across the 10-track album. The LP was recorded in Nashville at the legendary RCA Studio A with producers Shawn Everett and Jonathan Rado, and features a number of celebrated guests including Gillian Welch collaborator David Rawlings (guitar), pedal steel player Bruce Bouton and harmonica player Charlie McCoy (the latter whose playing graces all four of Bob Dylan's beloved Nashville records). There is an otherworldly depth exhibited in the songwriting across the disc, including the probing opener "Does It Ever Cross Your Mind?" that features a memorable chorus: Of all the corners of the universe / We would up hand in hand / Picking up the slack in each other's lives / Right here where we stand.

Other standouts on Thrasher include the breezy traditional country sortie "One Of Us," real world-rooted poetic tale "Angel," heartbreaking "In A Heartbeat," uptempo "Paradise" and heart-rending "Miss America." Flowers' upcoming concert dates include a show at The Ford in Los Angeles on Sept. 4, and at the Encore Theater at Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6, 2026. Information: brandonflowersmusic.com.

Artist: Night Ranger

Title: Best Of (Frontiers Music Sr)
You might like if you enjoy: Night Ranger, Damn Yankees, Styx
Tell me more: On Aug. 28, hard rock heroes Night Ranger released their Best Of album, which collects 18 tracks from across the rock quintet's career. In addition to the band's beloved radio hits, the set also features standout tracks from the California-spawned troupe's more recent releases that are definitely worthy of discovery. Among the collection's early highlights are the rousing opener "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," inspired "You Can Still Rock In America," affecting rock ballad "Sister Christian" and melodic "Four In The Morning." Additional standouts include the fiery "Breakout" (bolstered by outstanding lead guitar work), tuneful power pop-mining "Tomorrow," propulsive rocker "High Road," hard charging "Somehow Someway" and genre-blending "Truth." 

The band features the talents of Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards) and Keri Kelli (guitars). All the tracks are newly remixed and remastered; the collection is available on both audio CD and vinyl. The double LP is available in three different colors: black, gold and orange splatter. Night Ranger has also released an official music video for the melodic harmonies-adorned original "Wasted Time (Live from Sweetwater Studios)" you can view HERE. Night Ranger is currently touring and will perform at Gila River Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, AZ at 8 p.m. on Sept. 10. Information: nightrranger.com.

Robert Kinsler

2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Preview

The Desert Star Weekly's contributing music writers Robert Kinsler and George A. Paul each highlight some of their must-see artists coming to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Taking place over consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachellafest will be held April 11-13 and again April 18-20, 2024. This year's headliners are Lady Gaga, Charli xcx and Green Day. There are countless emerging and established artists performing this year equally worth catching this year.

Pictured: "Dancing In The Sky" 2024 art installation by Morag Myerscough.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Lance Gerber

By Robert Kinsler and George A. Paul

The Desert Star Weekly’s contributing music writers spotlight some can’t miss music acts headed to Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 11-13 and April 18-20. This year’s headliners are Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott. More than 150 established and emerging artists are scheduled to perform over the two consecutive weekends. 

Fridays, April 11 and 18

Photo credit: Frank Lebon

Lady Gaga — On the heels of the release of her seventh No. 1 album in a row, Mayhem (released last month), singer-songwriter/keyboardist Lady Gaga appears at Coachellafest for the first time since 2017. The influential New York City native and 14-time Grammy Award winner should thrill festivalgoers with her signature mix of dance, synth-pop, funk, disco, and rock. Among the new cuts she will surely feature in the Indio sets: "Disease" and "Abracadabra," the first two Mayhem singles and “Shallow” off the film soundtrack to “A Star is Born.” Read George A. Paul's review of the new book titled "Lady Gaga is Life: A Superfan's Guide to All Things We Love about Lady Gaga" HERE. (RK)

The Marias / photo credit: Jaxon Whittington

The Marias — The Los Angeles-based quartet make an eagerly-awaited return to Coachella, having last performed here in 2022. The Marias just dropped new tracks “Back to Me” and “Nobody New.” The latter was co-written by Benny Blanco and follows The Marias’ appearance on Blanco & Selena Gomez’s current charter “Ojos Tristes.” The troupe's ’24 album Submarine included gold-certified hit “No One Noticed” and such enticing tracks as the hypnotic "Hamptons," immersive "Echo," dance-minded "Blur" and Spanish language delight "Lejos de Ti," which recalls the sonic magic of '80s favorite Cocteau Twins. (RK)

Go-Go’s — Initially part of the LA punk music scene during the late 1970s, the Go-Go’s broke new ground when they became the first all-female band to write and perform everything on a No. 1 album (1981’s pop-leaning, double platinum debut Beauty and the Beat). The quintet notched indelible hit singles like “Our Lips are Sealed,” “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation,” and “Head Over Heels,” later serving as inspiration for Bikini Kill. HAIM, The Linda Lindas, and others. Various reunions have happened over the years. The Go-Go’s were the subject of an acclaimed documentary in 2020 and they unveiled a spirited “Club Zero,” the first new song in decades. Since Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong co-wrote/played on 2001’s God Bless the Go-Go’s, could a guest appearance be in store at Empire Polo? (GAP)

Saturdays, April 12 and 19

Green Day / Photo credit: Alice Baxley

Green Day — This California trio helped spearhead the Nineties punk revival via massively successful album Dookie and hit singles “Basket Case,” “Longview,” “Welcome to Paradise” and “When I Come Around. The musicians subsequently appeared at most major music festivals around the world but somehow hadn’t played Coachella (although frontman Billie Joe Armstrong did do a memorable guest spot with the Replacements in 2014) until now. Last year saw the incisive, compelling new studio album Saviors, sporting timely rocker “The American Dream is Killing Me.” Then the excellent American Idiot 20^th Anniversary reissues arrived. The highly recommended super deluxe box set features a wealth of unreleased demos, live tracks (from Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe, VHI Storytellers, a full American Idiot live run through at NYC’s Irving Plaza), rare B-sides, 2 Blu-rays with compelling documentaries, memorabilia, detailed liner notes and more. (GAP)

    

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast at Coachella in April 2022.
Photo credit: Julian Bajsel / Getty Images for Coachella

Japanese Breakfast — The moniker for singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast was clearly a wonderful discovery for many music fans at Coachella ‘22. With the release of Zauner's bewitching fourth album For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) last month, Japanese Breakfast will likely attract even more attention this time around. There is a dreamy quality across the new material and the singular setting afforded by the Empire Polo Field should bring even more magic to gems such as "Here is Someone," "Orlando in Love" and "Magic Mountain." (RK) 

Jimmy Eat World / Photo credit: Jimi Giannatti

Jimmy Eat World — Hailing from Arizona, Jimmy Eat World formed in 1993 and came to national prominence eight years later with the stellar, platinum-selling fourth album Bleed American. The Mesa band’s emotionally driven brand of alt-rock led to modern rock radio staples like “The Middle” (a Top 5 pop crossover among Spotify’s Billions Club), “Sweetness,” “Pain” and “Work.” Jimmy Eat World’s last studio album, 2019’s Surviving, featured guests Davey Havok (AFI) and James King (Fitz and the Tantrums). The quartet – which previously played Coachella ‘11 – recently put out the Phoenix Sessions, derived from three engaging 2021 entire album livestream performances, on limited edition vinyl. Each “reimagined” title reveals subtle new sonic nuances from playing the songs on the road for years. Multiple photos are included. The Futures 2LP gatefold features a detailed recollection by the band about the original album creation alongside producer Gil Norton. Chances are good fans will hear recent single “Something Loud” live in Indio. (GAP)  

Weezer performing at Coachella in Indio on April 20, 2019.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Coachella

Weezer (Weekend 1 Only) — Rivers Cuomo and company were just added to the 2025 Coachella lineup late last weekend; the Los Angeles-spawned band is slated to appear at 3:10 p.m. on the Mojave Stage on Saturday for Weekend One. Weezer last appeared at the festival in 2019 and delivered memorable sets featuring original material and artful remakes at each of the band's weekend sets. (RK)

Ed Sheeran (Weekend 2 Only) – For the first time since surprise performers started being added to the Weekend 1 lineup (Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire), Weekend 2 attendees finally get to enjoy one too. The British pop superstar – who headlined Dodger Stadium in 2024 and is best known for such Billboard top 5 singles as “Shape of You,” “Perfect,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Bad Habits” and “I Don’t Care” will appear in the Mojave tent. Expect to hear the festive, Middle Eastern-tinged new single “Azizam” in the singer/guitarist’s set. (GAP)

Sundays, April 13 and 20

Kraftwerk / Photo credit: Falcon Publicity

Kraftwerk — The term “pioneer” often gets bandied around, but Kraftwerk truly fits the bill. If Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider hadn’t started the German electronic music band in 1970, the Eighties new wave, alternative, rap and EDM landscapes might’ve sounded far different. Kraftwerk has been sampled by Dr. Dre, Afrika Bambaata & Soulsonic Force and Busta Rhymes. Additionally, everyone from David Bowie, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran to Bjork, The Prodigy and Daft Punk have cited the Dusseldorf musicians as an influence. Previously performing at the 2004 and ’08 Coachellas (where it rivaled Prince for the event standout), the Indio sets arrive on the back of a nine night Walt Disney Hall in 2024 stand. (GAP) 

Information: Coachella.com.

'A GRAMMY® Salute to the Beach Boys' is coming on Feb. 8, 2023; purchase tickets now

One of the world's great artists is set to be honored by a slew of other music notables via a GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys on Feb. 8, 2023. (You can read my review of the Beach Boys' August 2022 concert event HERE)...Robert Kinsler

The Beach Boys performing at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Aug. 8, 2022.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

CBS PRESENTS A GRAMMY® SALUTE TO THE BEACH BOYS, SET FOR FEB. 8 AT THE DOLBY THEATRE TICKETS ON SALE NOW; TRIBUTE SPECIAL TO AIR ON CBS IN 2023

Weezer will be among the artists performing at the event. Photo credit: Sean Murphy WHO: A stellar lineup of GRAMMY®-winning artists and past and current GRAMMY nominees including Beck, Brandi Carlile, Fall Out Boy, Hanson, Norah Jones, Lady A, John Legend, Little Big Town, Michael McDonald, Mumford & Sons, My Morning Jacket, Pentatonix, Charlie Puth, LeAnn Rimes, St. Vincent, Take 6, and Weezer are slated to perform at the special tribute concert honoring the legendary Beach Boys.

Beck will be paying tribute to The Beach Boys at the Dolby Theatre. Photo: Kim Kinsler WHAT: The Recording Academy®, Tenth Planet Productions and CBS present A GRAMMY® Salute to the Beach Boys on Feb. 8, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The live concert special will feature a star-studded lineup to celebrate and pay tribute to the group's remarkable career. The tribute special will air on the CBS Television Network and be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+ at a later date.   A GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys is produced by Tenth Planet Productions.

WHEN: Concert: Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 Doors – 5:30 p.m. PT Concert – 6:30 p.m. PT

WHERE: The public link to purchase tickets can be found here.   Dolby Theatre 6801 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028

ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Sights and Sounds: The Wallflowers, Southern Avenue, Emily Wolfe, 'New Music Friday' episode

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Here is a roundup of music news that has been announced over the weekend...Robert Kinsler

THE WALLFLOWERS RETURN WITH EXIT WOUNDS JULY 9th VIA NEW WEST RECORDS

 

CONSEQUENCE SHARES “I’LL LET YOU DOWN (BUT WILL NOT GIVE YOU UP)” 

 

Jakob Dylan Photo by Yasmin Than

 

The Wallflowers will release their first new album in nearly a decade, Exit Wounds, on July 9 via New West Records. The much-anticipated record finds the band’s signature sound — lean, potent and eminently entrancing — intact. Uncut Magazine says “...Exit Wounds rocks with smouldering intensity,” while MOJOsays in their 4 Star Review, “It’s his best original work by some yards.” KCRW has stated “Exit Wounds is a beacon for us all, a tribute to the rough year we’ve made it through.”  

 

Today, Consequence has shared the new song “I’ll Let You Down (But Will Not Give You Up)” alongside an “Origins” feature with Jakob Dylan. 

 

The Wallflowers will appear on CBS This Morning: Saturday on Saturday, July 10. They have also been announced as a part of Good Morning America’s 2021 Summer Concert Series on Tuesday, July 13 and will appear on Good Morning America Weekend on Saturday, July 17 as well. The band previously appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Late Show with James Corden, performing Exit Wound’s first single “Roots and Wings,” which has cracked the Top 10 at AAA Radio this week. 

 

The Wallflowers are also set to appear at the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, CA alongside Jane’s Addiction, Cage The Elephant, Portugal. The Man and more on Saturday, September 11th. Additional live appearances will be announced soon.

 

Most recently, Jakob Dylan Executive Produced and Starred in the acclaimed 2018 documentary film Echo in the Canyon. The film found him collaborating with a host of artists classic and contemporary, from Neil Young and Brian Wilson to Beck and Fiona Apple. Echo In the Canyon was also the last on-screen appearance by Tom Petty and was the ninth biggest theatrical documentary released that year. The Wallflowers’ overwhelmingly successful single “One Headlight” was prominently featured in the Judd Apatow film The King of Staten Island last year and continues to be a massive hit, topping Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs” chart. 

 

The Wallflowers’ Exit Wounds will be available across digital platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited Opaque Purple Vinyl edition will be available at Independent Retailers worldwide while a limited to 500 Purple Splatter vinyl edition will be available via New West Records. A limited to 500 Purple and Pink Splatter vinyl edition will be available via Nordic Retailers while a limited to 500 Purple and Silver Marbled vinyl edition will be available via the Magnolia Record Club. A Super Deluxe Vinyl edition limited to 750 copies will be autographed by Jakob Dylan. It will also feature a linen-wrapped jacket, purple foil-stamped & numbered and housed & protected in a clear outer sleeve. The Wallflowers’ Exit Wounds is available for pre-order NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS. 

 

 

The Wallflowers Exit Wounds Track Listing:

 

1. Maybe Your Heart’s Not In It No More
2. Roots And Wings
3. I Hear The Ocean (When I Wanna Hear Trains)
4. The Dive Bar In My Heart
5. Darlin’ Hold On
6. Move The River
7. I’ll Let You Down (But Will Not Give You Up)
8. Wrong End Of The Spear
9. Who’s That Man Walking ‘Round My Garden
10. The Daylight Between Us

 

WallflowersMusic.com
NewWestRecords.com

SOUTHERN AVENUE SHARES OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO “PUSH NOW”  NEW ALBUM, BE THE LOVE YOU WANT, OUT AUGUST 27 VIA RENEW RECORDS/BMG ALBUM PRODUCED BY MULTI-GRAMMY® WINNER STEVE BERLIN  (LOS LOBOS, DEER TICK, SUSAN TEDESCHI, JACKIE GREENE) NEW TOUR DATES WITH 2X GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER JASON MRAZ ANNOUNCED

(Memphis, TN) - The Memphis-based soul powerhouse Southern Avenue recently announced the release of their third full-length album BE THE LOVE YOU WANT along with the album’s feature track “Push Now.” Today, Southern Avenue share the official music video for the song; a light-hearted happy-go-lucky visual that showcases the band’s personality and incorporates family members from the entire Southern Avenue team.    "We wanted the video to be fun, colorful, and alive. What better way to do that than to make it a raging party filled with super-cute kids,” says Southern Avenue frontwoman, the song’s co-writer and mom of two of the video’s young stars, Tierinii Jackson. “The energy of the track was definitely matched by our adorable friends. It's LIT!" WATCH “PUSH NOW” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO BE THE LOVE YOU WANT was produced by multi-GRAMMY® winner, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Deer Tick, Susan Tedeschi, Jackie Greene), and co-produced by Ori Naftaly, and arrives on August 27, 2021 via Renew Records/BMG. Ahead of the release, the band will set out on an extensive tour, which includes two weeks supporting 2X GRAMMY® Award-winning pop superstar Jason Mraz whom the band collaborated with on the song “Move Into The Light.”  LISTEN TO “PUSH NOW” PRE-ORDER BE THE LOVE YOU WANT

Photo Credit: Michael Weintrob

SOUTHERN AVENUE ON TOUR 6/27 @ Levitt Pavillion | Arlington, TX 7/2 @ Rural Hill Nature Preserve | Huntersville, NC w/ JJ Grey & Mofro 7/3 @ Iroquois Amphitheater | Louisville, KY w/ JJ Grey & Mofro 7/21 @ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park | Rochester, MN 7/22 @ Music at the Meridian | Yankton, SD 7/23 @ Levitt at the Falls | Sioux Falls, SD 7/24 @ Holland Center | Omaha, NE 7/30 @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater | Austin, TX* 7/31 @ The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall | Houston, TX* 8/1 @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Dallas, TX* 8/3 @ Starlight Theatre | Kansas City, MO* 8/4 @ Saint Louis Music Park | St. Louis, MO* 8/6 @ Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center | Cincinnati, OH* 8/7 @ TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park | Indianapolis, IN* 8/8 @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre | Detroit, MI* 8/10 @ Rose Music Center | Huber Heights, OH* 8/11 @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island |Chicago, IL* 8/13 @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica | Cleveland, OH* 8/14 @ Stone Pony Summerstage | Asbury Park, NJ* 8/15 @ The Anthem | Washington, DC* 8/19 @ Brooklyn Bowl | Nashville, TN w/ Maggie Rose 8/20 & 21 @ Summer Camp Music Festival | Chillicothe, IL  8/27 @ Performance Pavilion at Sweetwater | Fort Wayne, IN w/ Samantha Fish 8/28 @ Levitt Pavilion | Dayton, OH 8/29 @ Railbird Music Festival | Lexington, KY 9/10 & 11 @ Big Blues Bender | Las Vegas, NV 9/18 @ Shipyard Festival | Cape Girardeau, MO 9/26 @ Roots N Blues Festival | Columbia, MO 10/1 @ Mempho Festival | Memphis, TN 10/8 @ Clay Center for the Arts | Charleston, WV 1/22 - 26 @ Panic en la Playa | Riviera Maya, Mexico 1/29 - 2/5 @ Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise | Eastern Caribbean *w/Jason Mraz All tour dates and up to date news available at southernavenuemusic.com About Southern Avenue: Memphis-based, GRAMMY®-nominated Southern Avenue inked their first record deal with Stax Records in 2016. The first Memphis band signed to Stax in over 40 years, their self-titled debut was an immediate phenomenon, reaching #1 on iTunes’ “Top Blues Albums” chart before being honored with the 2018 Blues Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist Album.” 2019’s KEEP ON proved an even greater success, debuting among the top 5 on Billboard’s “Top Blues Albums” chart amidst worldwide critical acclaim, ultimately earning Southern Avenue their first GRAMMY® Award nomination, for “Best Contemporary Blues Album”.   In addition to the early success that the band has had with their recordings, they have also found a home on the road. The band has performed in 15 countries on three continents and averages over 150 shows in a typical year, making the group one of the most sought-after live performance experiences. Their high-energy shows have captivated audiences around the globe, making this eclectic group a must-see at venues and festivals alike.  SOUTHERN AVENUE BE THE LOVE YOU WANT (Renew Records/BMG) Release Date: August 27, 2021

Track List: Be The Love You Want Control Don’t Hesitate (Call Me) Push Now Fences Let’s Get It Together Heathen Hearts Move Into The Light Love You Nice And Slow  Pressure Too Good To Be True Move On southernavenuemusic.com

CROWS FEET RECORDS RECORDING ARTIST  EMILY WOLFE RELEASES NEW GENRE-BENDING ROCK ALBUM AUSTIN-BASED GUITARIST/SINGER  RELEASES HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED COLLECTION, PREMIERING ON IDOBI  EMILY WOLFE TO TOUR THE US SUMMER/FALL 2021

Photo Credit: Beth Garrabrant

LISTEN TO OUTLIER HERE June 25, 2021 (Austin, TX) - Crows Feet Records singer/songwriter/guitarist Emily Wolfe today releases her highly anticipated new album, Outlier.  The album premiered exclusively on IDOBI as they praised the LP, “...the result is a record that makes your heart race as it runs through different influences and vibes...for every high and low and in between you’ve been feeling lately, Outlier will be right there with you. Tracks like “Vermillion Park” and “My Lungs Give Out” are the kind of songs you play when you think of the ones who make you smile most….it’s when she slows things down with songs like “Heavenly Hell” that you’ll get swept up in the bittersweet emotions as Emily gently rocks her way into your heart. The album is sticky & sweet; the bass rings in your ears and the songs make their way into your brain ’til you’re craving more. If “LA NY” and “Never Gonna Learn” don’t get you yelling “hot damn, this slaps” are you sure your volume is turned up high enough?  As early buzz and critical acclaim began to build with the release of two singles from the collection. American Songwriter said, “...genre-fluidity is still apparent in her artistry. The concept of “No Man” began as a Blues song, but as anger reared its head, “No Man” evolved into a transcendent rock track, leaning into electronic influences to better tell her story.” Atwood Magazine wrote: “Outlier is a dynamic and energetic frenzy finely balancing chaos with artistic control.” Parade Magazine lauded Emily, “Not only a showcase for her formidable guitar chops, Outlier perfectly spotlights Wolfe’s commanding vocal presence and newly expanded range. On the album’s radiant lead single “Something Better,” for instance, her voice drifts from tender to tough and back again with incredible grace, exponentially amplifying the song’s mood of dreamy longing.” A 10-track album, Outlier was recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Michael Shuman, of Queens of the Stone Age and Mini Mansions, in his home studio. Emily and Michael, along with her longtime bandmates, Evan Nicholson (bass) and Clellan Hyatt (drums),took inspiration from a myriad of genres as they laid down the tracks. “Before this album, my approach was to know exactly what I was going to do when I went into the studio,” says Emily, “But this time I wanted to leave room for a lot of creativity and weirdness. In a way it felt like jumping into the unknown with a blindfold on, but I just trusted that the risk would pay off.”  “Something Better”, the album’s radiant lead single, hears Emily’s voice drifting from tender to tough with incredible grace, amplifying the song’s mood of dreamy longing. “I wrote this song at a point in my life where I felt stuck,” she says. “But now with the pandemic, it feels more like a universal song about wanting change and not knowing when things are going to be okay.”  In the second single and the opening track to Outlier, “No Man,” Wolfe presents a powerful introduction to Outlier’s aesthetic, bringing jagged synth and blistering guitar work to the track’s message of fearless self-sufficiency (sample lyric: “Don’t need no man to tell me how to work my machine”). “That song was written after a few situations where I had people telling me I needed a man to help me out with certain aspects of my music,” says Wolfe. “It came from a place of frustration and rage, but really it’s about how I don’t need anyone but myself to do what I want to do.”  With its delicate collision of so many eclectic sonic elements, Outlier marks a significant departure for Wolfe while retaining the unbridled intensity she’s shown in sharing stages with such acts as The Struts and The Pretenders among many others. Outlier perfectly spotlights Wolfe’s commanding vocal presence and newly expanded range in her playing and songwriting.   One of the most groove-heavy and glorious moments on Outlier, “LA/NY” unfolds as an emphatic refusal to conform, matching its soulful urgency with an undeniable sweetness (“I can’t be L.A./I can’t be New York/But I can be yours”). And on “Vermillion Park,” Wolfe shares a harmony-laced piece of storytelling threaded with vividly detailed teenage memories (loitering a local park after dark, listening to Joan Jett in the back of a car). “That one starts out as a song about a relationship I had in high school, but by the end it’s about who I am now and my relationship with my wife—who’s really the inspiration behind most of my songs,” says Wolfe. The IDOBI premiere was accompanied by a first-person essay by Emily in honor of Pride month. She wrote in part, “Releasing a record during Pride month is something very special to me. Pride month is about bravery and celebrating who you truly are. It’s about not hiding from anyone even if it means feeling like an Outlier. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I want to recognize how far we’ve come. Seven years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to get married to the love of my life, but I’m now happily married to her. Though there is so much work left to do, Pride month gives us a time to celebrate each other and help one another continue to normalize differences in sexual orientations and expression.” In celebration of Pride Month, Emily will also participate in the Epiphone: For Every Stage Pride Celebration live streamed on June 30 at 6 PM CT. Artists will celebrate inclusivity, and perform for Epiphone’s combined 1.5 million followers. In tandem with the release of Outlier, Emily also announced her US Summer/Fall tour including dates with the legendary Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The tour will take her through the Southeast, Northeast and back to the Midwest, with more dates to be announced. (see dates below)  The Outlier Tour: June 25, 2021 Paper Tiger San Antonio, TX June 26, 2021 Lightstream Backyard Concert Series Cedar Park, TX July 24, 2021 Vol. Summer: Festival of The Arts Pasadena, TX October 15, 2021 Stickyz Little Rock, AR October 16, 2021 Hernando’s Hideaway Memphis, TN October 17, 2021 3rd And Lindsley Nashville, TN October 18, 2021 The Grey Eagle Asheville, NC October 20, 2021 The Pour House Music Hall Raleigh, NC October 22, 2021 Arts Avenue Chattanooga, TN October 24, 2021 The Southern Cafe & Music Hall Charlottesville, VA October 26, 2021 Mercury Lounge New York, NY October 27, 2021 The Recher Towson, MD October 28, 2021 Dc9 Nightclub Washington, DC October 29, 2021 Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel Atlantic City, NJ (w/Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) October 30, 2021 Count Basie Theater Red Bank, NJ (w/Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) October 31, 2021 Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA November 2, 2021 Space Ballroom Hamden, CT November 3, 2021 Middle East Nightclub Cambridge, MA November 5, 2021 The Linda Albany, NY November 7, 2021 Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, PA Emily Wolfe Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Spotify / Youtube / Apple

Photo Credit: Beth Garrabrant

Finally, TJR and yours truly have posted a new episode of New Music Friday where we discuss some of our favorite new releases we have picked up in recent weeks. including titles featuring Billy F Gibbons, Weezer, Van Halen and more! You can view the episode HERE.