Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit just released "Hope The High Road," the first single from their anticipated new album, The Nashville Sound.
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A few weeks ago, Isbell and company teased a dramatic, rock-heavy sound for the upcoming project. While there's likely more of that on the album, you won't find it on the new single. "Hope The High Road" feels like a familiar extension of the band's rootsy, alt-rock sound. It's the song's lyrics and the overall message that seem to show growth and new direction.
At its core, this is a song about dealing with the disheartening reality of modern America. That's not necessarily a new theme in Isbell's music, but here he's at a point where he knows being sad and angry isn't going to yield anything worthwhile.
"I've heard enough of the white man's blues/I've sang enough about myself/So if you're looking for some bad news/You can find it somewhere else."
Isbell has come out of the hellish nightmare of 2016 a more seasoned songwriter, employing the best tool for squashing societal frustrations: rock and roll.
For Nashville Sound, Isbell recruited producer Dave Cobb, who produced Jason's two previous albums. Look for the album on June 16.
The band doesn't yet have a full list of 2017 tour dates, but they will play a string of shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville this October.
"Hope The High Road" Lyrics
I used to think that this was my town
What a stupid think to think
I hear you're fighting off a breakdown
I myself am on the brink
I used to wanna be a real man
I don't know what that even means
Now I just want you in my arms again
And we can search each others dream
I know you're tired and you ain't sleeping well
Uninspired and likely mad as hell
But wherever you are I hope the high road leads you home again
I've heard enough of the white man's blues
I've sang enough about myself
So if you're looking for some bad news
You can find it somewhere else
Last year was a son of a bitch for nearly everyone we know
But I ain't fighting with you down in the ditch
I'll meet you up here on the road
I know you're tired and you ain't sleeping well
Uninspired and likely mad as hell
But wherever you are I hope the high road leads you home again
To the world you want to live in
We'll ride this ship down dumping buckets overboard
There can't be more of them than us
There can't be more
I know you're tired and you ain't sleeping well
Uninspired and likely mad as hell
But wherever you are I hope the high road leads you home again
To a world you want to live in
