Sturgill Simpson Announces New “Sound & Fury” Album and Film
Sturgill Simpson has a new album coming this fall called Sound & Fury, and it will be accompanied by an anime film of the same name to be released on Netflix. This was the news coming out of the San Diego Comic-Con panel Sturgill Simpson participated in on Saturday (7-21) evening.
“We went in without any preconceived notions and came out with a really sleazy, steamy rock n roll record. It’s definitely my most psychedelic,” Sturgill Simpson says of the new album, which he self-produced. “And also my heaviest. I had this idea that it’d be really cool to animate some of these songs, and we ended up with a futuristic, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, samurai film.”
The Sound & Fury film is said to consist of individual anime segments set against each song on the companion album. Simpson composed the original story for the film, but it was written and directed by Jumpei Mizusaki, founder of the animation studio Kamikaze Douga. Takashi Okazaki is the project’s character designer, and additional directors include Masaru Matsumoto, Michael Arias, Henry Thurlow and Arthell Isom, and Koji Morimoto. Jumpei Mizusaki and Takashi Okazaki spoke with Sturgill Simpson about the film on Saturday night’s Comic Con panel.
The news confirms that folks should not expect Sturgill Simpson’s next record to be country, even though his latest song “The Dead Don’t Die,” most certainly is, and comes from its own film project—-a Jim Jarmush zombie movie of the same name.
Sturgill Simpson told Sarah Silverman in November 2018 about the record, “We just finished [it] last week that I’ve been working on for a year. It’s definitely not a country record. I can’t question these things. You can’t question these things. You’ve just got to put art on your timeline first, and all the other shit really doesn’t matter I guess is what I’ve come to see and realize.”
Sturgill Simpson fans should not be caught completely off guard about him working an anime film into his latest music project. Simpson struck an affinity for Japanese culture while serving in the Navy for three years, stationed part of that time in Japan. Simpson’s first major video for his song “Railroad of Sin” off his 2013 solo debut High Top Mountain featured footage from trains and train stations in Tokyo.
Sturgill Simpson’s last record, 2016’s A Sailors Guide to Earth won the Grammy for Country Album of the Year, and was nominated for the all genre Album of the Year. No word on a release date for the album or the film, but there is a trailer for the film available. Simpson is signed to Elektra Records.
Ryan
July 21, 2019 @ 10:17 am
Can we now move on from Sturgill Simpson? He’s nowhere close to country anymore. I really don’t understand the obsession many have with him after his shift to this psychedelic junk. He’s too concerned about creating “art” now.
Jack Williams
July 21, 2019 @ 10:21 am
Artists. Whaddya gonna do?
Mike W.
July 21, 2019 @ 10:44 am
He’s legitimately one of the most interesting artists going today. So no, I’m not going to “move on” from him.
Do I wish he would do another Country album? Yes, and I have faith that will come one day again. Until then, I will monitor Sturgill and be impressed that such a creative person is doing what he wants, rather than phoning in what people want him to do.
Should Sturgill be considered “country”? That’s a murky question, but much like Tyler Childers I will support artists who do their own thing, even if it might not be my favorite.
I’ll put it another way. I don’t want a great chef cooking McDonald’s. I want a chef to be able to cook what he or she wants to cook. Maybe I don’t want what they are serving, but we should all support their right to do their own thing.
Gina
July 21, 2019 @ 11:20 am
Yes to all of this.
AndrewESQ
July 21, 2019 @ 3:23 pm
Hmm. Problem is, people DON’T support chefs who cook whatever they want. People support chefs that make good food they like to eat. I suppose chefs have every right to cook only unedible vegan food if they want but, it is an odd choice if you became a prestigious chef for opening a steakhouse. People like steaks and people like McDonald’s notwithstanding its utter lack of any “nutritional” value, otherwise mainstream country radio wouldn’t exist 🙂 People do not support chefs who no longer make good food though.
I, for one, think it is perfectly reasonable to NOT support a chef I once loved for making great steaks if he decides he’s only going to make bad seafood in his established steakhouse moving forward. I also think it is completely reasonable for someone to decide they don’t like vegan food or seafood categorically.
Personally, I like all sorts of foods and don’t care if Strugill makes Steaks or seafood as long as its edible. He’s done both effectively with Sunday Valley and his early solo stuff. The problem isn’t the type of food he’s cooking, the problem is it is no longer edible. I see a lot of people who ALL clearly want Strugill Simpson to return to form and make great music again disagreeing with each other about how this is accomplished or whether he even remains capable but, what I have NOT seen anywhere is anyone saying they like his new “food” better.
A chef has every right to stop serving great steaks and only serve inedible vegan dishes at his famous steakhouse if he so chooses but, to fault people for NOT supporting the chef in doing so doesn’t make any sense. First and foremost, it is THE CHEF’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE FOOD PEOPLE LIKE TO EAT. Otherwise, there is no longer any discernible distinction between that previously amazing chef and all the folks serving inedible food at home.
I think I’m done discussing/supporting Strugill until he starts cooking “edible food” again. Frankly, I’m “tasting” his new nasty “tarter sauce” on Chef Tyler’s newest delicious steaks and I hope he gets thrown out of the kitchen before its too late and Texas is the only place left making good steaks anymore.
Mike W.
July 21, 2019 @ 4:07 pm
I’m not saying that people don’t have the right to be like “I don’t like this new direction”, hell I don’t like this new direction Sturgill has taken. I’m just so over the people acting like Sturgill owes them a traditional country record. It just reeks of entitlement.
Sturgill may indeed lose fans with this move. Hell, I doubt I will be buying the album, but that’s his choice. I support him having the rite to take this chance, especially at a time so few artists with noteable careers are willing to push outside the box.
Homertucky
July 21, 2019 @ 6:32 pm
Wtf is this mess? You took that analogy and rode with it, I’ll give you that. I particularly liked the part where you tasted Sturgill’s tartar sauce on Tyler’s delicious steaks 😂
AndrewEsq
July 21, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
Ha. Yeah. I suppose the common ground is we are all disappointed in the direction of the music but, also getting tired of the redundant debate of whether we should still care. At one time I put Sturgill atop the musicians likely to “save country music” and have more seriously advocated both on his behalf and in opposition to his current direction within prior comments and discussions. Aside from a few like-minded individuals chiming in with support, I’m pretty sure it was wasted effort and I don’t think I ever changed anyone’s mind. People’s minds are made up prior to the beginning of the debate and that’s fine. However, in recognition of this, toying with the analogy seemed more interesting and equally productive as a serious comment at this point.
At the end of the day, I’d love for Strugill to prove me wrong (and imagine most of the folks who have lost the faith feel the same). Mike seemingly took the silly response for what it was and very politely clarified his conclusion. I’d imagine the tone of that silly comment could’ve come across all sorts of wrong but, it was just meant to be dumb fun. We all have to choose for ourselves when to throw in the towel on what we expected/wanted Sturgill to accomplish and I’m not mad at anyone still holding out hope. He’s proven he’s still capable of, at the very least, moments resembling what he used to do.
At the same time, I think he’s more than established he could care less about living up to what his well-wishing, financially backing fans, including my food analogy adversary, all agree was special and better about what he was doing before. The nuance comes into play in the reverence for Sunday Valley’s rock music notwithstanding its genre (albeit admittedly hillbilly rock).
My actual point would be, I’ve yet to hear anyone actually argue he should be denied his “right” to make music in whatever genre and at whatever quality he sees fit. I’ve not seen a single argument in favor of his imprisonment. I’ve not actually seen anyone demanding reimbursement because they were “owed” a country record. To my knowledge, not a single civil suit has been filed to date.
Instead, I see the people that fund his “right” to support his family through making music, a literal dream job, relentlessly offering advice on how they believe he could turn it around before its too late, only to ridiculed as too simple-minded to understand the artistic vision by the man himself and to be criticized by the remaining loyal Sturgill fans for being critical of his artistic endeavors (although universally admitted as inferior in my experience).
I wonder if all those insisting Sturgill should be supported regardless of the quality of his art, also support Florida Georgia Line notwithstanding the quality of theirs? Seems unlikely. (In fairness to Mike, his argument/rebuttal clearly avoids this hypocrisy, at the very least in it’s conclusion but most do not).
My point is merely that no one is saying he doesn’t have the “right” to burn his career to the ground if he wants, they’re just saying it’s a damn shame he seems hell bent on doing so. My second point is he better keep his nasty old tarter sauce out of Tyler’s succulent rib eyes!! (Thanks for playing along Mike. Here’s hoping you are right about that country record and he’s still got the juice if/when it comes);
Andrew
Billy Wayne Ruddick
July 22, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
Terrible analogy. You pay a chef for something that you SPECIFICALLY order from the menu. Completely different than an artist putting out what they choose…..Sturgill isn’t asking anyone what they would like to order. Furthermore, if a chef’s skills or quality falls and nobody likes the food (even if they have a prix fixe menu and people aren’t placing orders), the chef gets fired or closes their restaurant due to lack of business. I can assure you, there will be millions of people out there…current Sturgill fans and many many new fans, who will love this album and the Netflix show.
AndrewEsq
July 22, 2019 @ 2:55 pm
They sure seem to be dropping like flies. Artists depend on their fans as restaurants depend on their customers (although the analogy is the joke if you care to read). Yep, there are people who still support Sturgill notwithstanding their seemingly universal disappointment in his new art. We’ve probably lined his pockets well enough based on his good music he doesn’t need us all anymore and can afford to continue to make bad music if he so chooses. That’s good for him as he’s losing tons of us based on the comments I’ve read on everything Sturgill lately. That doesn’t change the fact that his music hasn’t been good for several albums now. The question was who is moving on. The point of my original comment was a restaurant analogy can be used to make whatever point anyone wants to make. I made one, the guy who set forth the analogy made when, and now you. Fact of the matter is, I haven’t seen or heard of a NEW Sturgill Simpson fan in several albums now (as evidenced in the past 5 articles about him I’ve read) because the music is no longer any good, not because he’s making rock again.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
July 23, 2019 @ 1:55 pm
Sturgill is doing nothing but gaining fans, on a net basis, as he gets bigger. Guarantee you that his next tour will be in bigger venues than he’s ever played before. Taking the comment section of a website that is primarily read by fans of traditional country (further noting that you are looking at a subset of readers who are mad enough about his forthcoming album…which they havent even heard…. to pound their fists and comment about how bad it will be) is a hugely skewed way to gauge the situation.
You are free to your opinion about his music, but don’t confuse that with fact by making statements like “that doesn’t change the fact that his music hasn’t been good for several albums now” (note: he’s only put out 3 solo albums, so you are implying that you only like his Sunday Valley work?). Rest assured that this next album will be his biggest yet.
Tito davis
July 23, 2019 @ 7:26 am
I’m not disappointed in what he’s doing at all. But it’s apples and oranges, if you don’t like it that’s fine but if you’re gonna make statements like “his music is no longer good”you can huff a dong
AndrewEsq
July 23, 2019 @ 12:23 pm
Wow, Sturgill himself could’t have been more needlessly abrasive in response to the unfortunate truth from a fan desperately looking for a reason to remain supportive. “Huff a dong” probably wouldn’t be necessary if there were dozens of amazing new songs lying around to cite but, I digress.
It’s not apples and oranges. “Sometimes Wine” was an amazing rock song. “Water in a Well” was an amazing country song. I could cite several other examples of great music he’s made in either genre but, unfortunately, its all from years ago now. The best thing he’s done in years has been “The Dead Don’t Die” but, again unfortunately, it barely holds a candle to the lowest tiered songs off those first two country albums (or the one good rock album for that matter). The mix is objectively God Awful. The song is well written but, the lyrics are virtually incomprehensible. It is admittedly better than lots of the new music being produced these days but, if compared to his earlier work, we all know deep in our souls it barely survives as a filler track in his earlier work. The scary thing is, Tyler’s “All Your’n” is an incredibly well written song and has been amazing every time I’ve heard it live. Unfortunately, as soon as Sturgill produced the album version, it switched genres and came with a God awful mix so, yeah, I’m getting concerned.
I understand supporting Sturgill notwithstanding the declining quality of his recent music. I went out of my way to do so for some time before I realized (like everyone else) that I don’t listen to or like much of anything beyond Metamodern Sounds. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if music like his best work was abundant but, it definitely isn’t and maybe if more of his fans start pointing out how far he’s fallen, instead of blindly (or deafly) supporting anything he churns out, he’ll concern himself less with Sarah Silverman, Donald Trump, and Law and Order and get around to living up to his potential.
Make no mistake, I wouldn’t type this long of a rant about a bad musician. This is unprecedented for me and I’m already regretting making another effort. However, at one time, Sturgill Simpson was literally my favorite active artist. Sunday Valley and those first two solo efforts were truly a sign he’s capable of something special. That just makes it all the more disappointing that he’s failing miserably at the moment.
Can he make a living on the continued support of those unwilling to give up on him notwithstanding he’s so far from the pulse? Probably but, only because he was so on the money in the beginning he won folks like you over so deeply. Not because he’s gaining new fans on the merit of his new art. Can he continue telling his fans whom are willing to call a spade a spade to “huff” a proverbial “dong” and be remembered as one of the greatest, even from this dark period in music? Definitely not. He’s got, at best, three albums flirting with greatness and Sunday Valley is hard to find. He is likely to have at least that many bad albums by the time this one drops.
Ill tell you what, I haven’t heard this new music and will give it a chance just for fun. If it is great, Ill happily come back to this very post and concede I deserve to “huff a dong” for having the gall to doubt the great Strugill Simpson IF, you’ll “huff” a big ol’ “dong” yourself if the general consensus is this album isn’t as good as any of the three “good” albums; Sunday Valley, High Top Mountain, or Metamodern Sounds. If I’m an idiot, surely it will be better than one of those old albums right? It’s just one dong. Make no mistake, I am not at all happy at how comfortable I am in taking that bet. I’ve been begging Strugill to prove me wrong (in any genre) for a couple of years now and he, like you, seems far more concerned with telling his supporting fans to “huff a dong” than making good music these days.
Tito davis
July 23, 2019 @ 12:49 pm
Surely you must type all that for your own edification. I’m not sure who has enough time to read that book you just wrote but I do not.
Ryan
July 27, 2019 @ 11:32 pm
So you wrote all that to say your a fan of country music artist with two first names.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
July 21, 2019 @ 11:34 am
Some people have the ability to appreciate more than one genre of music at a time. So yes, many people who read SCM are interested in this. Given Sturgill’s history with the country genre, and the fact that his voice is one of the most undeniably country voices out there today no matter what he is singing over, further makes it relevant coverage.
Ryan
July 21, 2019 @ 11:52 am
This site is titled Saving Country Music, Sturgill latest stuff is anything but country.
Mike W.
July 21, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
Either you are a troll, or you haven’t been paying attention to what this site has been doing for a number of years now. This website has long evolved away from simply focusing on “saving country music”, to being a site that primarily covers Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Southern Rock, etc.
Now, do I think this album is going to be in one of those genres? No, Sturgill has said as much. That being said, Sturgill (fairly or unfairly) is still most commonly associated with Americana and therefore I can understand Trigger posting this news. Especially since anything Sturgill related is going to be of interest to many of the readers of this website.
But I suspect you knew all that.
Jack Williams
July 22, 2019 @ 6:28 am
Well, let’s see. His last song (The Dead Don’t Die) is without question traditional country. His last album won the Grammy for best country album. Not a whole lot of country on it, but definitely a roots album and so it falls under the SCM umbrella. He produced the 2017 SCM Album of the Year (Purgatory by Tyler Childers). And then there’s the fact that SCM was the first outlet to champion Sturgill back in 2011 when he was fronting Sunday Valley. I got to see him play a no cover show back in 2013 and wouldn’t have heard of him if not for SCM. And so some of us long time readers who are country music fans but not JUST country music fans might be interested in what he’s doing next, even if it’s possible it won’t be up our alley.
Freddy C
July 22, 2019 @ 11:40 am
Amen! There are plenty of bands/singers that serve the fans. Sturgill serves his artistic instincts. I doubt he will lose any sleep over fans that want him to stay in a box. I can’t wait to hear this album. I dont need it to be specific to a genre, I just hope it’s interesting and challenging!
Russell
July 21, 2019 @ 12:52 pm
Yeah. Why do these artist insist on making “art” all the time. Just pick something and keep with it no matter how stale or boring it gets.
MB
July 21, 2019 @ 8:43 pm
Says the Nickelback fan.
Chris Lewis
July 21, 2019 @ 2:27 pm
I feel the same way anymore. Talk about a “snore” album. I know he can do some great hardcore country songs which made him popular in the first place. I don’t understand why he is shying away from what made him a household name. I’ve already moved on to other artists already.
Chris Lewis
July 21, 2019 @ 2:32 pm
By the way what happened to his band Sunday Valley? Are they still with him or did he cut ties altogether. I tend to wonder if his new “direction” is what caused the split. If so, I would rather follow the band than Sturgill in my opinion anymore. Now I don’t mind that an artist does a one off experiment album, but this seems to be too much.
Mike W.
July 21, 2019 @ 3:08 pm
Sunday Valley disbanded before Sturgill even put out his first album.
Bill Herr
July 22, 2019 @ 12:36 pm
Why must “We” move on? Must we all have the same opinion/tastes? I don’t like liver, cotton candy, opera or sci-fi movies, but I’m not mad that some others do. I do however find Sturgill’s music to be quite satisfying, regardless of genre. Probably won’t watch an anime movie though. I hope you’re not mad at me for saying so. 😉
Big Cat
July 22, 2019 @ 4:04 pm
If he keeps producing albums like Tyler Childers ‘Purgatory’ (and his upcoming release), I don’t think his contributions to country music will ever be denied regardless what direction he goes musically. I personally think he gets a kick out of fucking with people and truly doesn’t give a shit what people think.
jjazznola
July 24, 2019 @ 2:17 am
Go ahead and “move on”. I for one cannot wait to hear this album! As great as was as a country artist he is even better when rocking out!
toddxolsen
July 24, 2019 @ 7:35 am
Go listen to Sunday Valley and you’d know Sturgill Simpson has been a rocker from day one.
Charlie
July 24, 2019 @ 4:14 pm
A laborer creates with his hands. A craftsman creates with his hands and his head. An artist creates with his hands, his head, and his heart.
Pretty cool. I forget who said it.
I am glad to read any and all Sturgill news. Thanks for posting.
Jared S.
August 7, 2019 @ 7:15 pm
Your comment made it into Sturgill’s new teaser video. Congratulations!
https://youtu.be/BqlOwgl65_4
Speedlimit9
July 21, 2019 @ 10:23 am
Oh no.
Gina
July 21, 2019 @ 10:24 am
I’m excited about it. Anyone who isn’t is free not to buy it.
KGD
July 21, 2019 @ 11:08 am
I’m not particularly excited about it, but am open to being pleasantly surprised. However, the second sentence here is the crux of the biscuit. Nobody’s required to buy it.
No point in saying, “I support Sturgill following his muse.” I support EVERYBODY following their muse and Sturgill’s going to whether I support it or not. lol
Judd
July 21, 2019 @ 10:31 am
I must admit I’m a bit giddy. He just dropped a nice traditional sounding country song for everyone to enjoy. Be happy with that.
While I’m not familiar with this style, I do trust he put his best into it. Better for him to do this than try to re-create High Top or Metamodern and fail.
Josh Calahan
July 21, 2019 @ 10:37 am
It’s Sturgill and the album is going to be awesome, as is SCM’s album review.
618creekrat
July 21, 2019 @ 6:03 pm
So, 1 3/4 guns?
Corncaster
July 21, 2019 @ 10:41 am
Trig, what is the deal? Simpson clearly isn’t into saving country music.
At all.
In fact, it sounds like he finds the idea insulting to his exalted calling as Mr. Angry Pants “artiste.”
Mike W.
July 21, 2019 @ 10:48 am
You presume Sturgill ever gave a damn about “saving country music”. Most of the interviews I have read with him, he has expressed a deep love and appreciation for Country music, but he always “warned” he would do whatever he wanted to do (sound wise) album to album.
Sturgill can’t help that a segment of his fanbase foisted that mantle upon him. Hell, even if you don’t like Sturgills new music, we should support artists doing and creating whatever they want.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
July 21, 2019 @ 11:43 am
Exactly, Mike. Took the words out of my mouth. It’s unbelievable that people still view Sturgill as this guy who had an established hardcore country career and then just abandoned it. High Top Mountain was cut in honor of his ailing grandfather and he made it when he did in hopes of getting it out there before he died. I’m certainly glad he made it, don’t get me wrong. It is abundantly clear that Sturgill is an eclectic guy with a huge array of influences, and he is dead set on exploring them. Can’t believe that people are still shocked by this, and continue to accuse him of abandoning some pre-established hard country standard he never set for himself.
Gina
July 21, 2019 @ 11:44 am
Yes to all this.
Trigger
July 21, 2019 @ 11:05 am
What do you mean, “what is the deal?” This is a news story. If the next Sturgill Simpson album is not going to be country, that’s still relevant to the country music realm. I reported the same news about Taylor Swift. And obviously, Sturgill still has deep ties to the independent country scene as a producer and an artist, so I’ll probably review the record and film once it’s released. I think more people would find it unusual if I ignored this news than reported on it.
I’m not sure where this whole “This ain’t saving country music!” litmus test for articles sprang from over the last year or so. I’m covering the same shit I always do. This is a country music website. Just because I cover a song, album, or artist, doesn’t mean I’m proclaiming it’s “saving country music.” It’s just the name of the website. I’ve also never said, or would ever say that I’m a “country music’s savior.” It’s just a name.
On a personal level, I would rather Sturgill Simpson continue to release country records because I’m a country music fan. But I’m a fan of all music first, so I’ll listen to it with an open mind, and judge it on its own merit. Sturgill is being honest that his next record won’t be country, which is a hell of a lot better than someone trying to pass off music as country when it isn’t.
I may have more on what the implications are for Sturgill not releasing a country record soon. But for now, I’m just reporting the news.
Corncaster
July 21, 2019 @ 1:14 pm
I mean, this article sounds like a press release.
Of course you can post what you want. I’m just with the guys who say Sturgill isn’t interested in doing anything for country music as a tradition. That’s perfectly fine. He can go about his angry indie business and write loud rock music for Pokemon world all he wants.
What I don’t get is the level of attention shown to this guy from country music fans when he seems so dead-set on rejecting that attention as an imposition on his artisteness.
You do agree he’s stiff-arming those of us who were hoping he’d be a major voice in country music? At this rate, he’s going to be a footnote.
Not that he owes anyone squat.
Trigger
July 21, 2019 @ 11:43 pm
“I mean, this article sounds like a press release.”
Yes, because it’s a news item. I may have more on the subject later, but for the moment, I was just informing the public of what the news was. Like I do for many artists. Like I did for Chris Knight when he announced an album earlier in the week. Not so sure why it’s so shocking to people. Especially when you look on social media and see how ecstatic folks are about this information. There was 0% chance I was going to ignore the news of Sturgill Simpson announcing a new record.
jjazznola
July 24, 2019 @ 2:22 am
“his angry indie business and write loud rock music for Pokemon world all he wants”? He is an artist. Artists try different things. I aplaud him and if this album is anything like the shows last year I cannot wait! Maybe you should just ignore him from now on. “At this rate, he’s going to be a footnote.” Oh please!
todd olsen
July 24, 2019 @ 7:37 am
Go listen to Sunday Valley he’s always been a rocker, he never claimed to want to save country music. He actually derided comments that he was the savior of country music.
Marianne
July 21, 2019 @ 11:08 am
Personally, I am extremely excited. Like a lot of people, I appreciate the blues, psychedelia and hard rock along with country. Sturgill grew up listening to all kinds of music, he knows his way around different styles, and has a unique ability to combine those styles. His next album will probably be country, possibly bluegrass. Let’s just enjoy this one for what it is.
For those who think he has abandoned country, let me remind them that this is on the heels of the release of one of the best straight-up country songs ever written, and remind them of the fact that over the last year he has played a traditional bluegrass set at the Grand Ole Opry, represented Merle Haggard by performing one of his songs at the Willie Nelson tribute, shared the stage with the likes of Tyler Childers, John Prine and Chris Stapleton, and please just go listen to those amazing duets he did last year with Margo Price on “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly” and “After the Fire Is Gone.”
Saviors work in mysterious ways. Don’t discount that fact if he decides to go save rock’n’roll while he’s at it. Or maybe he’s just following his muse and making great art.
Cornhusky
July 21, 2019 @ 1:11 pm
Good story, now do Shooter
Travis
July 21, 2019 @ 11:31 am
I’ll still listen to it but first impression, meeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh
Other Travis
July 22, 2019 @ 5:20 pm
I’m thinking this might be my favorite record of his since High Top Mountain and am really looking forward to it. If Greensky Bluegrass can call themselves more of a rock band and incorporate the bluegrass, jam band, and rock as well as they do, I’m happy to here someone coming from the roots world put out a hard driving psychedelic rock album, especially when that person is as talented as Sturgill. I’m expecting we will here different genres in his new album, but even if we don’t, I’m excited to give it a listen.
thebugman10
July 21, 2019 @ 11:34 am
I’ve never been a Sturgill fan. Sailor’s Guide was too out there for me. It definitely wasn’t country. It sounds like he’s departing even further from country now.
SCMCommentsAreWorseThanALCommenters
July 21, 2019 @ 4:05 pm
Sucks to shoehorn yourself into one genre only. Missing out on a lot of amazing music.
thebugman10
July 22, 2019 @ 5:20 am
Where did I say I shoehorned myself into country? I said I don’t really care for Sturgill Simpson. Even when he was doing country music, I wasn’t a huge fan, but it is better than Sailor’s Guide. Whatever genre you want to call Sailor’s Guide, I really didn’t like it, so I doubt I’ll like whatever direction the new album goes in.
ScottG
July 21, 2019 @ 12:12 pm
I can’t help feel a sense of missed opportunity. A few years ago, he had the perfect 4 pierce band that could get in a room, and just play badass music. It was pretty “magical” – I know that might sound a bit exaggerated, but for me it was true. There was something pure and real about that. Adding horns , convoluted production, an anime film…. all COULD be interesting, but it seems to be providing negative returns,to me at least anyway. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with people expressing that disappointment, while at the same time wishing him well in doing what he wants to do.
Ryan
August 14, 2019 @ 9:52 pm
As someone who loves soul music, I loved his work with The Daptones as his backing band on Sailors Guide. I thought him and the band did a pretty good job melding countrypolitan and memphis soul influences into something cohesive and very unique.
Mike Hopkins
July 21, 2019 @ 12:22 pm
Anyone who has seen him live in the last 2 years can’t possibly be surprised that he has made a “sleazy” rock and roll album. I can’t wait to hear it.
JB-Chicago
July 21, 2019 @ 3:08 pm
I’ve loved sleazy rock and roll my entire life that didn’t change when I came here 3 or 4 years ago, there just wasn’t much quality stuff of it around actually none that I’m aware of…lol. I’m excited to hear what Sturge came up with. Of course it should be talked about here as well. If I think it sucks I’ll say that too!
Koozie
July 22, 2019 @ 7:22 am
I mean, shit – he’s played songs from T. REX in his concerts for years! How surprised can people really be when he’s interested in psychedelic, sorta-sludgy rock? Has anyone seen a show from him in the past couple years? Just him, keyboards, bass, and drums, with a distinctively rock-tinged feel.
jjazznola
July 24, 2019 @ 2:27 am
Exactly. I would be shocked if his next album would be country after seeing him last year.
Colter
July 21, 2019 @ 1:00 pm
Wait, what. Sturgill shouldn’t be allowed to be creative. We want songs about heartbreak and whiskey with fiddle and steel guitar and a heavy bass drum like every other true country song from the beginning of time. How dare him do something new and different. We want the same country songs just rehashed and renamed from the 70s. He shouldn’t be allowed to play what he wants, only country.
ScottG
July 21, 2019 @ 2:03 pm
Nobody said anything about him not being allowed to, straw man.
CountryKnight
July 21, 2019 @ 4:20 pm
Need more hay for your strawman?
King Honky Of Crackershire
July 21, 2019 @ 7:29 pm
Colter,
That would be fantastic, if only he could sing. Unfortunately, he can’t, so anything he does will suck.
wayne
July 21, 2019 @ 1:01 pm
“sleazy” is a fitting description.
OlaR
July 21, 2019 @ 1:12 pm
His freedom: Sturgill Simpson can release what he wants.
My freedom: i don’t have to listen to his music.
Darren
July 21, 2019 @ 1:23 pm
I hope his muse will lead him to find some hooks for his songs, whatever genre he is working in.
618creekrat
July 21, 2019 @ 1:28 pm
Hey, a weaboo needs something to watch while snuggling his waifu pillow
hoptowntiger94
July 21, 2019 @ 2:41 pm
I’ll listen, but I have zero expectations and hate anime. Ironically, I released by 2019 power rankings and Sturgill was dropped out of the top 10.
2019 Country Music Power Rankings:
1. Tyler Childers
Signed to a major; selling out venues (in some cases multiple nights) across the county.
2. Chris Stapleton
Why make new music when 3 past albums are still selling and the awards keep coming?
3. Kacey Musgraves
Let’s see what she does with her newfound stardom.
4. Luke Combs
I had to google “fat guy with a bunch of country #1’s” to remember his name.
5. Cody Jinks
Signed with a major last year; going back independent while declaring “Fuck Nashville.”
6. Jason Isbell
He was in the Deadwood movie.
7. Brandi Carlile
Grammy Darlin, Highwaywomen member, co-producer of new Tayna Tucker album.
8. Miranda Lambert
Pistol Annie member; changed lifetime producer to make a move at County radio on forthcoming album.
9. Whiskey Myers
Yellowstone exposure got them on the map.
10. Mike & the Moonpies
I pegged them to fill the Turnpike Troubadour void.
Mike W.
July 21, 2019 @ 4:12 pm
Minor nitpick, but Mike & The Moonpies are going to have to seriously step up their songwriting game to “replace” Turnpike. Not that their songwriting is bad, far, far from it, but what Felker and crew could put out when motivated and sober surpasses anything Mike & The Moonpies have done to date IMHO.
Cheri
July 22, 2019 @ 12:51 am
We need to add Whitey Morgan and the 78’s to this list…
And Cody Jinks is at the top of my list for saving REAL country music and telling Nashville stadium country to F-Off…Hell yes…
hoptowntiger94
July 23, 2019 @ 9:09 am
I saw Whitey in Morgantown back in March … I was a little disappointed. He lost the crowd. I thought everyone left, but found them in the bar. If he wants to be a covers act, people will start treating him as one … background music.
I read Trig’s post that he broke curfew and the endless covers were welcomed at a recent festival. I guess there’s a time and place.
Trigger
July 23, 2019 @ 10:09 am
Whitey may have just had an off night that night. It happens. He does play a lot of covers, but I think that’s what he wants to do, and that’s what he’s passionate about. There certainly weren’t many leaving during Whitey’s set at Wild Hare.
thebugman10
July 22, 2019 @ 5:23 am
I don’t know what your criteria is, but like him or not, Luke Combs is the biggest thing in country music right now.
hoptowntiger94
July 22, 2019 @ 6:24 am
I guess if I wasn’t partial, Combs would be 3 and Tyler behind him. But I can’t put him above Stapleton or Musgraves. I can’t name a Combs song despite seeing him everywhere. I’m not a fan of Musgraves, but I can recognize and name every song of hers including the ones on Golden Hour because it gets played everywhere (including my Outlaw station and Farm Aid) and she’s had some huge profile showcases.
I’ve done these stupid yearly rankings with an eye to to the future… it’s fun to go back a year later and see what I missed and occasionally got right.
Jack Williams
July 22, 2019 @ 6:39 am
He’s got that song with lyrics “scratch off tickets” in it. That’s all I got.
He reminds me of a time when I’d hear a country radio station and think this kind of country ain’t for me. But I didn’t think it wasn’t country. Seems like a good dude and I think his music’s OK. Maybe it’s a combination of “beats the hell out of FGL and Sam Hunt” and my country music palette being more expansive than it used to be.
Ryan
August 14, 2019 @ 9:45 pm
The one Luke Combs song I know is “Beer Never Broke My Heart”.
Long neck, ice cold,
Beer never broke my heart.
Like diamond rings
Or football teams
That tore this boy apart.
Being a fan of a sports team that hasn’t won a damned thing since before colour tv was common, I kind of like that chorus. It gets a laugh out of me, and sometimes thats all I need to like a song.
King Honky Of Crackershire
July 21, 2019 @ 3:47 pm
The only thing good about this, is that it’s not C(c)ountry. Because if it were C(c)ountry, I’d have to endure 4 articles per week about it for the next 500 days.
ScottG
July 21, 2019 @ 8:28 pm
I can’t help smile a little when I imagine you begrudgingly reading them.
Dex
July 21, 2019 @ 4:05 pm
All these tossers complaining about this just don’t like to rock, and Sturgill is about to burn the place down … sod off
Musiccitymang
July 21, 2019 @ 9:48 pm
Oi mate, you got a loicence for that opinion?! Right bell end you is.
Jack Williams
July 23, 2019 @ 5:07 am
You go, governor!
Crum
July 21, 2019 @ 4:15 pm
It’s easy to write something off before even trying it (Sturgill, new Childers, broccoli) just because it looks, smells, or sounds different than what you’re used to. It takes a little more effort to actually give it a shot and marinate before deciding you don’t like it. If you don’t, cool. Move on. But it seems like a lot of minds have been made up based on the headline alone.
For those of you who like things besides “country” music, check out Ona and Futurebirds, out of West Virginia and Athens, GA. Indie rock with a little twang. Ona’s been shouted out by and toured with Childers. Futurebirds features a lot of pedal steel in their music. It’s not for everybody, but I like it.
Trainwreck92
July 21, 2019 @ 4:18 pm
Futurebirds is great. While I’d say they’re mostly a twangy indie band, I’d have no problem considering their song “Rodeo” as at least alt-country.
The Other Wayne
July 22, 2019 @ 4:17 pm
I love Futurebirds to death. Twangy indie folk-rock with psych influences, and they approach true country in some of their music.
Trainwreck92
July 21, 2019 @ 4:15 pm
As much as I want a new country album from Sturgill, I’m interested to see what he’ll cook up with this album. If it sounds like what his current live shows sound like, I’m not sure I’ll dig it, but I’m curious nonetheless.
WakeUpRay
July 21, 2019 @ 4:16 pm
Smh at the entitlement some of y’all supposed “fans” think you have over an artist’s art. Sturgill, Tyler or whoever don’t owe you anything. It’s perfectly fine to not dig when an artist goes on a different direction although I can’t comprehend listening to only one genre like some of y’all profess, but comments suggesting that any artist “has a responsibility to give fans what they want” are a load of shit. An artist’s responsibility is only to his muse, that’s it.
Kevin Smith
July 21, 2019 @ 5:18 pm
What a polarizing figure Simpson seems to be. His most devoted fan base believes he is such a supreme talent that he can do no wrong. I honestly think if he released an album of spoken word on side A with him farting on the B-side, many of ya’ll would support it as brilliance. Some of us scratch our heads wondering why he can’t focus on a sound and be consistent. At first we saw him as a guy who sounded slightly Waylon influenced and we thought, hey this dude likes real country, cool…hes one of us. A little Ralph Stanley in there, some bluegrass too, the Sunday Valley thing, all good. Then he got all psychedelic and trippy with the second record, still sounding country, but more weird and artsy. And many declared it a supreme masterpiece because it was weird and trippy, and breaking the mold, redefining the genre, pushing boundaries, etc. Sure, why not. It did have its moments. Then the Grammy record, Sailors Guide, which made clear his aspirations were much larger than the country genre could possibly contain. And now, Comic Con, Anime’ and “sleazy hard rock”. OK?!… he’s definitely musically ADHD. And that will endear him to the rock n roll crowd for sure; ( maybe a Captain Beefheart tribute album next, perhaps, Sturg? or maybe an entire cover album of Syd Barrett tunes? Or maybe even a Sturgill fronted re-invention of The Mahavishnu Orchestra! Should earn 5 stars in Rolling Stone! ) and its these folks I think that will support him, not so much the “keep it country crowd”.
I last saw Sturgill play the Outlaw fest with Willie and he was doing his version of loud, white boy blues stuff, with nods to Jeff Beck and others. It was ok, but if I want that, I can find better at my hometown blues festival, which this year has Tommy Castro headlining. ( dude can seriously shred) Yeah, I guess ol Sturgill isn’t going in a direction I’m terribly interested in seeing him go, but I’ve known that for some time. Mean-while there’s plenty of folks around still making great country music just waiting to be heard and seen, so ultimately its of no consequence to me. If you like it and it moves you though, go for it, I won’t judge ya!
Marianne
July 21, 2019 @ 5:41 pm
Jason Isbell recently said it best:
“These days if you ask a person what kind of music they listen to, they almost always say “all kinds!” but when someone asks you what type of music you make, that same answer seems to confuse them.”
I understand that you just don’t get it, but there’s just something about the combination of Sturgill’s voice, the phrasing of his lyrics and his passionate guitar playing that can’t be explained in words. Just hits me in the gut. But I don’t honestly think he can do no wrong, just that he hasn’t yet and that’s good enough for me to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Jack Williams
July 22, 2019 @ 6:46 am
I honestly think if he released an album of spoken word on side A with him farting on the B-side, many of ya’ll would support it as brilliance.
Kevin, Kevin, Kevin. Come on, man. I mean, maybe the spoken word, but farting? Now that hurts. 😉
Biscuit
July 21, 2019 @ 5:56 pm
If you listen to Sturgill’s most recent single and his recent appearance at the Opry with a crack bluegrass band, it’s clear he still enjoys playing country and bluegrass when the mood hits. Because he was in a rock trio, Sunday Valley, it should come as no surprise that he also enjoys playing rock and heavy guitar soloing. He doesn’t appear to want to be constricted by genres and with his talent, doesn’t need to be. Robert Ellis, another great guitar player who has bonafide country chops, has been exploring as well. Shooter and Kacey Musgraves have also crossed genres. Maybe this is what ‘outlaw’ means today, playing across genres and avoid typecasting i.e. an artist doing exactly what they want without the constrictions of Nashville.
John
July 21, 2019 @ 6:12 pm
Hi attitude and comments lost me as a fan. Not interested. This guy is a waste of talent in my opinion.
MackDaddy
July 21, 2019 @ 6:21 pm
I mean the name of this site is saving country music…..if it ain’t country why we talking about it. In the country genre he’d be a mega star. In the “psychedelic rock” he’ll be an also ran. If it’s a good album I’ll buy it. But to be honest there’s not really one song in sailors guide that I’m like wow I’ve got to put that on a loop. Purgatory is a a much better country album imo. I hope I’m wrong tho. Seems like he’s more concerned with being ironic than anything tho. And stuff is the artis that I cut my teeth on in these modern old style genres.
Marianne
July 21, 2019 @ 7:52 pm
I would submit that you don’t have to play country music to save country music. If he manages to find a rock following and bring them over to being country fans by them being exposed to his other works, that would be more effective than forcing good country music down the throats of current country fans. I know those people, many are my friends and they really like that stuff on the radio. What Country needs is an expanded audience of new listeners and bringing back disgusted old listeners. I wouldn’t be a Country fan if I hadn’t heard Waylon Jennings on the “Underground ” rock station in 1976 covering a Neil Young song. It blew my mind and I immediately tuned into the Country station just to hear that voice and learned to appreciate Tammy Wynette George Jones and Merle Haggard etc. in the process.
Trigger
July 21, 2019 @ 11:48 pm
Oh great. This comment again.
“I mean the name of this site is saving country music…..if it ain’t country why we talking about it.”
“Purgatory is a a much better country album imo.”
Who produced ‘Purgatory”?
Mike Honcho
July 22, 2019 @ 6:59 am
Savingcountrymusicformusicsnobsthatlovevirtuesignaling.com was taken?
Jack Williams
July 22, 2019 @ 7:59 am
Same troll comment, slightly different name. Yawn.
Trigger
July 22, 2019 @ 12:16 pm
I wish I could take perspectives like this, and counterbalance them with all the people that think I’m a sexist and racist Nazi.
ScottG
July 22, 2019 @ 8:23 pm
Some say if you’re not right enough for the right, and not left enough for the left, you’re doing something right.
hoptowntiger94
July 21, 2019 @ 7:05 pm
I don’t know why I give Willie a pass to be experimental, but not Sturgill? Maybe, because Willie put in his time and created a sub genre of country music.
Marianne
July 22, 2019 @ 12:34 am
Yet Willie himself has welcomed him with open arms, and frequently invites him to share his stage. Merle Haggard became a mentor, and other fans with credentials include Kris Kristofferson and Billy Joe Shaver. In fact, everyone who actually meets the guy reports that he is humble, respectful and kind. So I just don’t get the animosity from so many people here.
WD
July 22, 2019 @ 5:06 am
Sturgill needs to do what Sturgill wants to do. And I’m buying because all three of his records are excellent. Don’t worry, he has plenty of albums left in him. He will make great country music again. And who knows, the new record might be more country then he is letting on.
Great Artists (and Sturgill is legitimately great), don’t decide what to do because of what critics (professional or otherwise) want them to do.
FreddyC
July 22, 2019 @ 11:52 am
Great comments! Can you imagine if the internet was around in the 60s? Revolver wouldn’t have sold a copy! LOL….”what happened to Love Me Do? this new direction is shite!!”.
I hope Simpson keeps on making the music he wants to make. If he stops doing that, he ceases to be true to himself and it’d be difficult to respect for me.
RD
July 22, 2019 @ 5:48 am
What are the chances that Sturgill has actually read Faulkner?
Jack Williams
July 22, 2019 @ 6:14 am
Higher than negligible, I’d guess. He seems to be a bit of a bookish sort. But the album isn’t going to be called The Sound and the Fury. Maybe he had to read MacBeth in high school and memorize the soliloquy, like I had to? See, that might have been the way to go.
North Woods Country
July 22, 2019 @ 6:18 am
Really not all that excited about this. I hope he proves my gut instinct wrong.
Brian
July 22, 2019 @ 6:55 am
There is no doubt that I love Sturgill Simpson, but I am also disappointed that he has gradually leaned away from making country albums. In my opinion Sturgill has the right to do whatever he wants to do, because it is his music and his life, however what bothers me is that I think he is missing out on what he is great at. His voice is made for country music and once he gets away from that it is not something special to me. I felt the same thing about Natalie Maines, if you see a lot of interviews with her, she admits that her first love was rock and not country, however when you hear her it is obvious her voice was made for country music. She sounds like another good voice when she tries to do music that is not country and loses her uniqueness. It is kind of like when Michael Jordan went to play baseball, sure he had the right to do whatever he felt like, but it was not what he was great at. I have no doubt that it will be good lyrically, but from a sound perspective Sturgill is great at country. More power to him, I just hate that I feel he is missing out on establishing a legacy in the genre he was meant to sing.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
July 22, 2019 @ 12:41 pm
Fair point, but he is still pretty early in his career. And, I don’t view this or Sailor’s Guide as any real trend of him abandoning country or bluegrass forever. The thing with Sturgill is that there is no rhyme or reason or real trend to what he does. I wouldn’t be surprised if he drops a traditional country or bluegrass album in the next 18 months out of nowhere. He seems to get off on surprising and shocking people, and it’s fun to follow as long as he is putting out quality, sincere material. In his busking livestream outside the CMA’s last year, he said that he would love to do a bluegrass album someday, and also said that he will do another “hard country” album…but that it wouldn’t be his next album.
Marianne
July 22, 2019 @ 7:15 pm
In the busking interview he said, “the next one will be about life and sin, and we’re literally going to go to Hell.” It’s gotta be heavy rock’n’roll, I would think. Nothing else would do that concept justice.
SK
July 22, 2019 @ 8:07 am
Seems I remember a lot of people didn’t like Sgt Peppers when it was first released
Oyster Boy
July 22, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
Lol. Sturgill has yet to release anything close to a Sgt Peppers.
Ben Riley
July 22, 2019 @ 10:06 am
“All good Music is Soul Music”
-Sturgill Simpson
Aaron
July 22, 2019 @ 12:38 pm
Came for the news, stayed for the butthurt.
dukeroberts
July 22, 2019 @ 1:27 pm
Anime? I hate that crap.
Marianne
July 23, 2019 @ 3:33 am
Nobody ever has to watch the videos for songs. The album will stand on its own. You don’t need to watch the anime movie.
eisenhorn
July 22, 2019 @ 2:46 pm
It is his right to make whatever sort of music he wishes, as it is my right to listen, support, or not. I may support his project or veering away from country music, but that does not mean I will listen to it. I really like most of his country stuff, and do not like some of it, especially the stuff that sort of ‘walks the line’ in my opinion. I still don’t have a problem with him trying different genres, though. It’s my opinion and I have the right to be wrong, like everybody else.
All that being said, I am usually disappointed when an artist makes an album that ‘experiments’, is a ‘pet project, different, departs from his/her norm, or whatever. It’s like they get some success and they think they can churn out stuff that is completely off from what brought them to the party and it will be automatic gold. I will check it out because I like most of his stuff, but I do not have high hopes. I mean, it’s anime.
The Other Wayne
July 22, 2019 @ 5:06 pm
Country isn’t the only genre that needs “saving”, and if Sturgill wants to save rock too then more power to him. But if the goal of an artist becomes more focused on saving or preserving tradition than innovating and building upon the foundations of those traditions, then they aren’t an artist at all. I’d rather see someone like Sturgill Simpson perform in whatever genre suits his creative expression at the time than chain himself to whatever keeps the genre purist comment sections happy.
toddxolsen
July 23, 2019 @ 8:39 am
If anyone has ever heard the Sunday Valley records they know Sturgill is a rocker, you can be a rocker and a country artist. Trig has covered plenty of Whiskey Myers on here who play a blend of country and Southern rock. But those Sunday Valley records had Sturgill as a rocker before he was the savior of country music but the two are not separate.
Blockman
July 23, 2019 @ 9:49 am
Is this gonna hit the country charts? Which Grammy will it win?
Brian Moore
July 23, 2019 @ 8:46 pm
Wow! There’s a real Dylan thing happening here. I’m pretty sure someone will yell out “Judas!” on his next tour. This time, I’ll be there.
CountryKnight
July 24, 2019 @ 10:36 am
Hypocrisy is, apparently, OK when it is a SCM favorite.
Trigger
July 24, 2019 @ 11:02 am
How so?