The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn is releasing a new solo album, I Need a New War, next month. The fourth solo album in his discography, the record is the third in a trilogy of solo albums following 2015’s Faith in the Future and 2017’s We All Want the Same Things. For the three records, Finn worked with a consistent group made up of producer/multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaufman, drummer Joe Russo, and engineer Dan Goodwin. He also brought in Stuart Bogie, Raymond Mason and Dave Nelson on horns and Annie Nero and Cassandra Jenkins on backing vocals.
Our Song of the Day is the lead single and opening track off the forthcoming record, “Blankets.” a story of complicated love and loss featuring gorgeous backing harmonies. Craig says this about I Need a New War:
Going in, I saw this record as the third part of a trilogy. Thematically, this was the third group of songs that I had written about smaller moments – people trying to stay afloat in modern times, attempting to find connection, achieving tiny triumphs and frustrating let downs in their day to day lives.
Perhaps forward motion is everything. The characters in the songs on this record, and the last two, are trying to keep up and keep their heads above water. They succeed or they don’t, but their stories are the tales of their attempts at pushing ahead. And so, with my own push forward, I feel lucky and excited to be sharing these songs and stories.
I Need a New War is out April 26 via Partisan Records. Watch Craig Finn perform live at KEXP with the Uptown Controllers in 2017 below.
Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.
Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.
