Much-adored American singer-songwriter Joan Osborne is today releasing ‘That Was A Lie’ from the politically-charged ‘Trouble and Strife’ LP – Joan’s first album of original material in six years which is due out September 18th. Released via Thirty Tigers and the label Osborne founded in 1991, Womanly Hips Records, Osborne also self-produced the new collection and penned all ten songs, with two co-writes. ‘Trouble and Strife’ finds the gifted vocalist offering a strong yet uplifting response to some of the socio-political issues plaguing the USA over the last several years and new cut ‘That Was A Lie’ is one of the most defiant of the lot. You can stream the track here: https://youtu.be/f4fBILD9W_I
A rally against abuses of power and untrustworthy government elites set to buoyant pop-rock, on ‘That Was A Lie’ Osborne’s scornful lyrics condemn “those camera-ready mouthpieces for corrupt officials”. It follows recent singles ‘What’s That You Say‘ (a pro-immigration song which features spoken-word by Ana Maria Rea, who describes the story of her family’s emigration from Mexico to the US and the challenges they faced), ‘Boy Dontcha Know‘ (a song about the plight of women in today’s broken society) and ‘Take It Any Way I Can Get It‘ (a soulful rootsy ode to living life to the fullest despite whatever odds might be stacked against you.)
On her tenth studio album, the masterful ‘Trouble and Strife’, Osborne has issued a clarion call. With stunning vocals, a diverse range of sonics and incisive lyrics, this deeply engaging collection of new original songs is her response to “the crazy, chaotic times we’re living in,” she says, and “a recognition of the important role music has to play in this moment. Music has a unique ability to re-energize people and allow us to continue to hang on to that sense of joy of being alive.”
Since she broke through 25 years ago with the multi-platinum ‘Relish’ and its touchstone mega-smash ‘One of Us,’ the seven-time Grammy nominee has never played it safe. Osborne has followed her restless musical heart, exploring a diverse range of genres: pop rock, soul, R&B, blues, roots rock, gospel, funk, and country – all of which can be heard on ‘Trouble and Strife’, along with the Western side of C&W and a touch of glam and disco. “For a lot of the record, we were going for a ‘70s AM radio vibe,” says Osborne. As for the lyrics, the songs “are the most political I’ve ever written,” she conveys of her first album of originals since 2014’s confessional ‘Love and Hate’.
Throughout her quarter-century, multi-Grammy nominated career, Joan Osborne has never been an artist confined to one space. She has utilized her incredible voice through her own songs while also becoming one of her generation’s finest interpreters. Osborne has shared the stage with artists ranging from Stevie Wonder and Mavis Staples to Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams and she continues to seamlessly blend into any genre. On Trouble and Strife, her tenth studio album, the need for her voice and words has never been stronger.
“I feel like music has this important job to do right now,” Osborne says. “Part of that job is to help imagine a better future – and to hang on to hope. I want to play for people and get them up on their feet and dancing. To let music do that thing it does – bring joy and energy because we really need that right now.” With ‘Trouble and Strife’, she intends to do just that.
You can pre-order ‘Trouble and Strife’, due for release September 18th via Womanly Hips Records/Thirty Tigers, here: https://orcd.co/
TRACKLIST
Take It Any Way I Can Get It
What’s That You Say
Hands Off
Never Get Tired (Of Loving You)
Trouble and Strife
Whole Wide World
Meat & Potatoes
Boy Dontcha Know
That Was A Lie
Panama
