The highly anticipated sixth studio album from The Lone Bellow, ‘What a Time to be Alive’, is officially set for release on February 13th, and the news is nothing short of thrilling. This new record marks a whole new chapter for the Nashville by-way-of-Brooklyn trio. They broke fresh sonic ground by writing and recording collaboratively for the first time with their full touring ensemble, which includes drummer Julian Dorio and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Geertsma. Laying down tracks in the legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the band created ecstatic arrangements that truly capture the immense energy and firepower of their acclaimed live performances. The result is their most exhilarating, cohesive, and strongest record yet, a true testament to their evolution. As Zach Williams expressed, “This record encapsulates everything we love and respect about each other, it’s a snapshot of the friendships we’ve built over the last decade-and-a-half, of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown.”
Music fans are already falling in love with the tracks they have unveiled. The new single, “You Were Leaving,” is a stunning piece that beautifully grapples with the fleeting transience of life. It was preceded by the “harmony-rich” “Common Folk,” a heartfelt anthem dedicated to the quiet strength of everyday people, and “No Getting Over You,” a raw and unguarded track that MXDWN praised for a “stunning performance from Kanene Pipkin, whose voice captures both the fragility and strength that come with heartbreak.” Holler also called “Night Goes Black” “mesmerizing, with the band’s signature harmonies and anthemic indie folk turned up full.” The songs on ‘What a Time to be Alive’ are earnest and poignant, full of ruminations on innocence, loss, and the mysteries of love, with rapturous performances that perfectly balance rock and roll swagger with sincere folk tenderness. The creative process began in Henderson, KY, where producer Peter Barbee converted an abandoned firehouse into a recording studio. There, they improvised instrumental beds by jamming, trying a new approach that Elmquist says “felt like we were teenagers again playing in a garage, which is a magical thing for a band that’s 15 years into their career.”
This album represents more than just music; it is also a story of community. After the devastating theft of their van, gear, and hard drive containing their new recordings, the band’s diehard fanbase stepped up, raising enough funds to replace everything and get them back in the studio within hours. This humbling experience motivated the group to push even harder, resulting in a record that is their best yet and a powerful testament to the enduring bonds their music has forged. They will be playing a blowout hometown show tomorrow at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium before kicking off a nationwide headline tour early next year to support the new release. The first set of tour dates will take them through Pittsburgh, Chicago, Louisville, Iowa City, and Madison, among many others. The palpable chemistry fueling these blissful, freewheeling celebrations of the human spirit will surely make for unforgettable nights on the road.