Check out ‘Ballad of a Broken-Hearted Man’, the new single from acclaimed southern rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck. Beginning with hypnotically-finger-picked acoustic guitar and delicate keys before energetic percussion and dynamic electric guitar kick in, the opening minute is hugely atmospheric. Robert Jon Burrison delivers a typically powerful vocal, accompanied by absorbing musical textures; new keyboardist Jake Abernathie adds some gorgeous extra depth while Andrew Espantman (drums) and Warren Murrel (bass) form a driving rhythm section. Particularly notable is the outstanding electric guitar from Henry James Schneekluth – his searing slide solo is glorious. We see them performing together in the video and the band is incredibly tight.
It is a song of heartbreak but it’s also infused with a sense of resilience and strength. The band say of the song: “With an intro’ that places you on the set of a classic western and a mesmerising guitar riff that takes you right into the action, ‘Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man’ is a story of just that. Two people down on their luck trying to figure it out together, but for some reason, they never do.”
This is the fourth single to be released ahead of the band’s next studio album, which is due out this year. As well as relentless touring musicians (details of the winter tour in the US are here), Robert Jon & The Wreck are prolific writers – their eleventh studio album ‘Ride Into the Light’ was only released in August 2023. Enjoy.
Great band. Shame the European leg of their tour isn’t including the UK