Sturgill Simpson , the reluctant outlaw country music hero appears to be moving further and further way from that designation. Simpson took to Apple Music’s Beats 1 with host Zane Lowe to preview his brutally gritty new single “Brace for Impact,†The singer/songwriter also let it be known his new album’s title, ‘A Sailor’s Guide To Earth.’
Simpson tells Lowe he made A Sailor’s Guide to Earth for his son, and it represents the next steps in his own personal musical evolution.
Never afraid to take a risk Simpson says “If you take a chance and try to progress a little bit, which for me is what it’s all about — I already made Metamodern, so I didn’t want to make another psychedelic country record,” he says. “But as soon as I open my mouth, it’s always going to be a country record. You’re always a little nervous because people might expect more of the same or they might not be as willing to take the journey with you, but I think any of the true fans probably wouldn’t expect anything less.”
On March 2, Simpson shared on social media an intriguing illustration that may well be the cover his upcoming album. Nope, actual cover updated:
A SAILOR’S GUIDE TO EARTH TRACK-LISTING:
1. Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)
2. Breakers Roar
3. Keep It Between The Lines
4. Sea Stories
5. In Bloom
6. Brace For Impact (Live A Little)
7. All Around You
8. Oh Sarah
9. Call To Arms
“Brace for Impact,†moved more the the garage rock direction of “Sugar Daddy,” Simpson’s theme for HBO’s Vinyl, rather that the Bakersfield sound on peyote of Metamodern. Funked up splashes of Hammond organ, Simpson delivers a carpe diem message of kindness with swelling guitars and synth bass crashing around.
Still no word on a release day. Release date in April 15th.
STURGILL SIMPSON TOUR DATES
May 5—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater
May 6—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater
May 7—Dallas, TX—The Bomb Factory
May 10—Houston, TX—White Oak Music Hall
May 11—Oklahoma City, OK—Criterion Theater
May 16—Lexington, KY—Lexington Opera House
May 17—Lexington, KY— Lexington Opera House
May 18—Chattanooga, TN—Tivoli Theater
May 20—Knoxville, TN—Tennessee Theater
May 21—Indianapolis, IN—Egyptian Room – Old National Centre
May 22—Louisville, KY—Louisville Palace
June 2—Royal Oak, MI—Royal Oak Theatre
June 3—Chicago, IL—Riviera Theatre
June 4—Milwaukee, WI—Riverside Theater
June 5—Minneapolis, MN—First Avenue
Listen to the song and Simpson’s interview with Lowe below.