With a career spanning over 40 years, musician, artist and activist John Mellencamp is releasing his 25th full-length studio album “Orpheus Descending” via Republic Records. It was recorded at his own Belmont Mall Studio and produced by Mellencamp. The album is one of the most personal to date for the outspoken artist as he continues to show that he’s one of the best songwriters of his generation, focusing on social issues with standout songs “Hey God” and “The Eyes of Portland.”
John is in his Bob Dylan, cherished-American-treasure moment now, and could coast on that if he wanted. But he doesn’t want to do that. This latest record is a masterpiece, of songwriting, performances, and searing, poetic, and blunt messages. It’s raw and powerful, and musically a return to the Appalachian sound of records like “The Lonesome Jubilee” and “Big Daddy”. His voice is deeper and thinner than it was for those records, but the gravelly sound of his singing gives the songs, especially “The Eyes of Portland” and “Hey God,” a perfect weight.
Announced on Friday, the record was previewed with “Hey God,” a thoughtful and reflective bit of social commentary from Mellencamp, a musical and cultural icon whose long established a willingness to take a stand on the things that matter — in this case, the gun debate:
On June 2nd, John Mellencamp will release a new album titled “Orpheus Descending”. under exclusive license to Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. “Orpheus Descending” comes on the heels of Mellencamp’s November. 2022 reissue of his classic 1985 album, “Scarecrow”,
The Fat Angel Sings 