Jason Isbell Is Heading Into the Studio in December

photo: Brad Coolidge

“We are going to the studio in December. We are going to make some new music.”

This is what Jason Isbell promised during the closing night of his seven night residency at the Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, October 26th. Now a tradition in Nashville, Isbell has taken the stage of the Country Music Mother Church for multiple nights over the last few years, solidifying his position as an independent artist and Americana star accepted within the highest echelons of Music City.

“I have written some new songs. None of them mention Chick-Fil-A, so that’s cool,” Isbell also said, making reference to one of the songs on Kanye West’s new Gospel-inspired record, Jesus Is King. Isbell did write a song called “Overseas” which he sang at the Ryman that night, and is the first taste of what he might have in store.

It’s been a slightly more elongated release cycle for Jason Isbell and his last record The Nashville Sound. Where he took about two years in between his last four records, The Nashville Sound was released now 2 1/2 years ago and counting. The record won two Grammy Awards, two Americana Music Association awards, was even nominated for the CMA’s Album of the Year, which is something Americana fans thought they’d never see. It also landed Isbell a residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Debuting at #1 in country upon its release, the album definitely had a major impact, so it’s not surprising he decided to rest on his laurels a little bit before heading back into the studio.

Though there is yet to be any confirmation, don’t be surprised of Jason Isbell once again reunites with producer Dave Cobb (which he’s hinted he’ll do again in the past), and record it once again at Nashville’s RCA Studio ‘A.’ Also expect his backing band “The 400 Unit” to not be far behind. If it’s similar to the recording sessions of The Nashville Sound, Isbell might keep fans up-to-date about the progress of the record through social media, and we could expect a release sometime in early to mid 2020. With the amount of major releases from big names in country and Americana in 2019, a new record from Isbell might be one of the marquee releases in what could be a lighter year for highly-anticipated records.

Stay tuned.

© 2023 Saving Country Music