Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s New Album ‘Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)’ Looks Like It’ll Be a Blast

On June 14, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real will release a new album titled Turn Off the News (Build a Garden), which the ensemble previewed with a high-energy new song titled “Bad Case” on Wednesday:

This new album comes at a time when Nelson (Willie’s son) and his band are at the height of their career, popularity – wise. Penning some songs for the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning 2018 film A Star Is Born will do that to a band.

Joining the band on the new record are special guests including Sheryl Crow, Neil Young (with whom POTR has played several gigs in recent years) and Ke$ha.

Said Nelson of the new material to Rolling Stone:

“We wanted these songs to be fun and upbeat,” Nelson said. “But we also wanted to have something to say. Rock & roll began as a countercultural movement, so in the true spirit of rock & roll, we’re trying to encourage a lifestyle where people can be active in their local communities, rather than glued to a device. We listen to so many artists — the Byrds, Tom Petty, Al Green, Neil Young, Little Feat, J.J. Cale — and this album carries forth something they all represented, the idea of turning off the news and doing something constructive. It’s a statement about how you can live your life with your heart leading the way.”

The guests listed above aren’t the only musicians the band welcomed into the studio during the recording process, as Nelson told Rolling Stone they’re inspired by the communal aesthetic of The Band:

Other guests on the LP include Nelson’s brother Micah, Shooter Jennings, Randy Houser, Lucius, Madison Ryann Ward, Hunter Elizabeth and more. Nelson said they enlisted the album’s many collaborators with his heroes the Band in mind. “They supported so many incredible people throughout their career, but they were also focused on their own music,” he said. “We’re the same way. We want to see good music and great artists succeed, because a rising tide raises all ships. We’re cheering for our friends, just as they’re cheering for us.”

It certainly sounds as if Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s new album will be a great time. Stay tuned for more!