Zac Brown Band Announce New Album ‘Jekyll + Hyde’ and 2015 Tour Dates
Zac Brown Band have always prided themselves on diversity, so it’s quite fitting that their new album is titled Jekyll + Hyde. Due April 28th, the new LP marks the group’s first via a new partnership with Southern Ground, John Varvatos Records and Big Machine Label Group. Clothing designer-turned-music exec Varvatos has one word for the new set of tunes: “insane.” And Brown just hints to expect the unexpected.
“Our boundaries have dissolved and we’re going to still do things that are somewhat familiar that people like, but we’re also going to stretch out and take chances beyond what we’ve done before. Some people are going to be really surprised,” the singer told Rolling Stone Country back in November.
A big surprise they’re leaking today is Jekyll + Hyde ‘s 16-song track list. (See below.) Soundgarden and Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell is featured on a song called “Heavy Is the Head,” and pop singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles duets on “Mango Tree.” Digital pre-orders will include immediate downloads of the Cornell collab, plus the Jason Isbell-penned “Dress Blues” and the band’s current, feel-good single, “Homegrown.” (Listen to “Homegrown” here.)
While “Homegrown” is certainly a country radio friendly tune, the album is expected to have major crossover potential. Big Machine President Scott Borchetta plans to have his team market the music on a larger, international scale. “This music will play in a lot of places,” he tells Rolling Stone Country. “[Zac Brown Band] have always been a great live band, as well as a country radio staple from day one. Now, after spending some time with Zac, I’m blown away by his creativity and vision. I think ZBB are entering their most successful and prolific chapter.”
On the same week as Jekyll + Hyde‘s release, Zac Brown Band will kick off their North American stadium tour, with the first show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on May 1st. Other venues on the schedule include Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field, among other massive sports venues. (See a full list of cities and dates on the tour here.) Fan club members will be able to buy tickets for select shows starting March 10th, with general public sales starting March 13th.
The band will test out a few of Jekyll + Hyde‘s tunes live from New York this weekend, as they make their Saturday Night Live debut.
Zac Brown Band, Jekyll + Hyde Track List:
“Beautiful Drug”
“Loving You Easy”
“Remedy”
“Homegrown”
“Mango Tree” (featuring Sara Bareilles)
“Heavy Is the Head” (featuring Chris Cornell)
“Bittersweet”
“Castaway”
“Tomorrow Never Comes”
“One Day”
“Dress Blues”
“Young and Wild”
“Junkyard”
“I’ll Be Your Man (Song for a Daughter)”
“Wildfire”
“Tomorrow Never Comes” (Acoustic Version)