Out now, Joe Bonamassa’s latest album, Breakthrough, and riding alongside it is his new single ‘Broken Record’ as his latest single, both available via J&R Adventures.
As to be expected, Bonamassa’s latest single is blues intoned, but there are also classically imbued changes that seem to echo the Bach-influenced early work of Focus. Reflective in nature, the actual breakthrough on this track is in his believing he’s learned to stop repeating past mistakes; life lessons we all grapple with and one musically he succeeds in coming out safely from by the end of the song’s labyrinthian solo.
‘Broken Record‘ follows a series of singles from the blues rock powerhouse. Most recently ‘Still Walking With Me’, and before that the introspective groove of ‘Shake This Ground‘.
Anchored by a warm groove and a classic feel, ‘Still Walking With Me‘ is intended as an uplifting tribute to resilience, redemption, and the people who stick with us even when we don’t deserve it. Bonamassa’s lyrics walk the line between gratitude and humility, “You could’ve left a long time ago, I wouldn’t blame ya, ”he sings while celebrating the kind of enduring partnership that weathers all storms. With its catchy refrain and unshakeable optimism, the song delivers a feel-good message wrapped in rich instrumentation and vintage tones.
Jazzy ‘n snazzy with a bold blues swagger, Joe Bonamassa’s ‘Still Walking With Me’ is a get-up and dance number that tells you summer is on its way!
The aforementioned ‘Shake This Ground’ is an anthemic call to shake free from the past and present, the track pulses with raw intensity, pairing Bonamassa’s masterful guitar work with gripping storytelling and an unrelenting rhythm.
By virtue of its title, you somehow expect ‘Shake This Ground’ to explode with a torrent of raging six string power instead an acoustic guitar rings out loose but warm, joined by organ and backing vocals. It’s in fact the dry timbre of Bonamassa’s narrative voice that keeps you listening, so much so you’re only dimly aware of various other subtle sounds shifting in and out this near-country ballad, meaning you’re more than likely to hit replay.
Co-written by Bonamassa and James House, ‘Shake This Ground’ is about hitting a rough patch in a relationship and finding a way to shake things up before it’s too late. The song’s steady rhythm and heartfelt lyrics capture the moment when two people recognise the need to break out of a rut and get back to what made them strong in the first place. Bonamassa’s rich, expressive vocals bring both grit and warmth to the track, making every word feel real and lived-in. Lines like “Ain’t saying that I have all the answers, ‘cause I got more questions than I need” speak to the uncertainty that can creep into any relationship, while the powerful chorus is all about moving forward—A hopeful and inspirational reminder that it’s never too late to turn things around.
The singles were produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, Journey), with Bonamassa’s evolving sound while staying rooted in his blues rock foundation and is the first glimpse from his upcoming new studio album slated for later this year. The tracks arrive on the heels of his collaboration with Sammy Hagar on the searing single ‘Fortune Teller Blues’, further cementing Bonamassa’s place at the forefront of modern blues. “This is a song that James House and I wrote randomly that did not seem to find a home until almost a year later,” Bonamassa recalled. “I love the way James writes lyrics. The lines sing themselves and have a good amount of meaning now. All good songs find their time and place eventually.”
You can stream the singles here and check out the videos here too.
The Breakthrough album is available here.
