John Mellencamp – Photo: Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images
John Mellencamp has shared the brand new tune “Hey God,” forward of the June 2 launch by way of Republic Records of his album Orpheus Descending.
Shop the perfect of John Mellencamp’s discography on vinyl and extra.
The full set, self-produced by the artist, might be his twenty fifth album, and was recorded at his personal Belmont Mall Studio. It’s being billed as one in every of Mellencamp’s most private data thus far, with “Hey God” sitting alongside “The Eyes of Portland” in specializing in social points that he continues to advocate for with ardour.
The star’s enormous Live and In Person North American tour is presently beneath means, with dates persevering with till June 27 with stops in New York City, Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston, and extra. More data and ticket availability will be discovered right here.
Tracks from Orpheus Descending are getting their dwell debut throughout the present tour, and attracting media consideration. The Chicago Tribune wrote: “Awash in death, ‘Hey God’ functioned as a plea for deliverance from senseless gun violence. Preceded by a story about his encounter with a 20-something homeless woman, the solo acoustic ‘The Eyes of Portland’ took aim at the empty ‘thoughts and prayers’ condolences offered as a solution to major tragedies and dilemmas.” LA Weekly provides that his performances on the tour are “authentic, grounded and painfully honest.”
Mellencamp’s acclaimed studio LP Strictly A One-Eyed Jack got here out early final 12 months and gained reward from the New York Times, NPR Music, Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and extra. “Mellencamp is a poet of ennui, making him an apt mouthpiece for our moment,” wrote the New Yorker, whereas Forbes famous: “Mellencamp is absolutely uncompromising and unyielding as an artist.”
Associated Press added: “Longtime fans of Mellencamp will find much to like on this new offering from the artist. Time spent listening will certainly not be wasted time.” The New York Times’ verdict was: “It’s a vintage-style blues stop with slide guitar and fiddle flanking his voice, and though he proclaims his bitter solitude, he has a crowd shouting alongside him by the end.”
For the Wall Street Journal, the album was “a collection of songs steeped in folk and blues, told from the perspective of a man looking back over his life, while Rolling Stone mused: “Mellencamp has made an urgent-feeling, musically rich record, one of his most memorable in a while. Whether life has much left to give him is his call to make, but he still has plenty to offer us.”
Mellencamp additionally not too long ago launched a deluxe version reissue of his landmark 1985 album Scarecrow, providing a large assortment of bonus tracks, rarities, and unreleased gems.
Pre-order Orpheus Descending, which is launched on June 2.