Jason Isbell to Release New Album “Something More Than Free”
The highly-anticipated follow up to Jason Isbell’s critically-acclaimed 2013 album Southeastern will be called Something More Than Free, and it will hit stores on on July 17th, 2015. The album will be released through Thirty Tigers, and Isbell’s own Southeastern Records. Like his last album, the effort was produced by vaunted producer Dave Cobb, who just announced a partnership to start his own label with Elektra Records.
The announcement comes as Isbell has just booked a four-night stand at the historic Ryman Auditorium beginning on October 23rd featuring openers Amanda Shires, Parker Milsap, Hurray for the Riff Raff, and Chris Stapleton on the subsequent nights.
Jason Isbell spoke with radio.com about the new album in late March.
“I don’t really cowrite with anybody, I write all my songs myself,” Isbell explained. “Some of the arrangements we worked out once we got in the studio. Dave Cobb helps a lot with those things, he’s got really good instincts for what direction to go in, whether a song needs a bridge or not, how many times to sing the chorus, things like that. I just came in with a bunch of songs, and then I’d play one for everybody, and we’d all go to our stations and figure it out.”
“I don’t practice the songs on the road, or play them in live shows before the record’s done,” Isbell continued. “I don’t want people to to have to un-learn parts. You fall in love with certain parts that you play, if you’re playing these new songs on the road, and then when you get in the studio those don’t turn out to be the right parts, you’re going to have to fall out of love with them. And that can be really stressful.”
The album includes what is characterized as a country throwback number in “If It Takes A Lifetime,” and emotional ballad in “Flagship,” a blues song called “Palmetto Rose,” and a previously-heard song called “24 Frames.”
It’s setting up to be a big 2015 for Isbell. His song “Dress Blues” will also be appearing on the Zac Brown Band’s new album, and may even be released as a single to country radio.
Wayfast
April 16, 2015 @ 9:45 am
I am very excite! Are Borat qoutes cool again?
Jack Williams
April 16, 2015 @ 10:12 am
Good to have a defintive date on this. Thanks.
Four shows at the Ryman. If he sells them all out, that’s like close to 9,500 tickets, based on the Ryman’s reported capacity. Americana superstar, indeed!
Applejack
April 16, 2015 @ 6:53 pm
Four shows at the Ryman. If he sells them all out, that”™s like close to 9,500 tickets, based on the Ryman”™s reported capacity. Americana superstar, indeed!
Hell yeah!
Isbell and the Ryman have a great thing going.
This should be an annual tradition!
emfrank
April 17, 2015 @ 5:23 am
I am pretty sure he sold out three nights at the Ryman last fall. I know it was three nights and some were sold out.
Mike W.
April 16, 2015 @ 10:27 am
Looks like an awesome couple of months for real music fans, with albums by Whitey Morgan, John Moreland, Randy Rogers/Wade Bowen, Chris Stapleton and now Jason Isbell.
Hopefully we hear news about new Turnpike Troubadors music soon as well, I know they have been in the studio, so I’m hoping we get new music by the fall or so.
Also would be nice to hear some new stuff from Hellbound Glory/Leon Virgil Bowers soon.
jeffro
April 16, 2015 @ 10:49 am
I’m a big fan – have all of his albums and saw him twice on the last tour. That said, I’m anxious about the new album and worried that domestic bliss and impending fatherhood might make the batch of songs on this album too “happy”. The album title is kinda telling. Hope my fears are put to rest in July.
GregN
April 16, 2015 @ 11:29 am
He did say that the body count on this one is lower.
Mike W.
April 16, 2015 @ 12:37 pm
I think it will be a bit more balanced more than anything. I’m sure there will be some happier songs, but I also do not see it swinging to an entirely different direction either.
Applejack
April 16, 2015 @ 7:02 pm
Ok, I know this is dumb, but I feel like Isbell’s kinda off to a mediocre start with the album title and cover. The cover in particular is a little cheesy, in my opinion.
Whereas, the title and cover of Southeastern were both iconic.
Not that those are the most important things, obviously, especially with an artist like Isbell who is very much a “substance over style” kind of guy.
Spoony
April 16, 2015 @ 10:06 pm
You’re right, it may be dumb, but I think I agree.
Sam Jimenez
April 16, 2015 @ 11:19 pm
Album art IS important. It stands out front to represent what’s inside. That amateurish looking cover is now the first impression of the new album for everyone. For months we’re going to see that thing over and over again without having the great music that’s probably inside to hold up against it. I’m guessing a wife’s nephew’s cousin’s uncle had to be involved somehow.
Now I’m still looking forward as hell to getting my hands on that sucker, but really wish 5 seconds of thought would have been put in to that cover. Man.
Rileyben
April 20, 2015 @ 1:09 pm
Alot of Album covers and Titles to me don’t fully materialise until the music is Heard and hopefully resonated.
BwareDWare94
April 20, 2015 @ 8:29 am
I think there’s a greatness to this cover. My guess is it’s meant to symbolize life’s shades of gray.
Dan H
April 16, 2015 @ 12:25 pm
Jason did say this new albums feel would be more celebratory than Southeastern was, but nonetheless I’m sure it’ll be amazing, he also said he thought these songs were better than the songs on southeastern and this guy does know his music. Can’t wait for this album, July can’t come soon enough! On a completely unrelated note when are we gonna see your review on Will Hoges new album Trig? Lol
Jeb Barry
April 16, 2015 @ 12:50 pm
ill bet the closest he’s come to a co- write is a few years ago when he tweeted the first two lines to a “song”… Then told his Twitter friends to finish it….
I was the only one he did and he said he liked it….and it’s better now
Sam Jimenez
April 16, 2015 @ 12:59 pm
It’s been a long time since I was actually giddy about an album coming out.
Cobra
April 16, 2015 @ 2:27 pm
Hot damn, that news just made my day. Hopefully he’ll play some songs from it when I see him in concert next month!
Cobra
April 16, 2015 @ 2:42 pm
I wonder if the record is considered “done” now that an announcement has been made so that songs from it might actually be played, That’s what I’m hoping for.
Mike2
April 16, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
According to one of his twitter posts it is completely done.
emfrank
April 16, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
He tends to keep new songs pretty close until the official release… not singing them at shows, for instance, but I hope there will be a few released to RS and other outlets.
Melissa
April 18, 2015 @ 10:20 pm
Just got home from seeing him play tonight in Columbia SC and he performed 24 Frames. A pretty good song in my opinion. And a fantastic show.
JF
April 16, 2015 @ 3:20 pm
I love every note of music this guy has produced. His shows are stunning. I could not be more excited for a release than I am for this. So great to see this guy get the success he deserves.
one_time
April 17, 2015 @ 9:20 am
I am extremely excited to get my hands on this album. I could care less about the album artwork…I care about the artistry that will be ringing in my ears. My only complaint is having to wait until July 17th, but it is my daughter’s birthday and it’ll make for a nice small gift for her.