The Gaslight Anthem frontman has announced “Not Bad For New Jersey”, his first solo album of original material in more than five years. The 12-track collection arrives digitally on September 10th via Fallon’s Lesser Known Records, with physical editions following a day later.
Leading the announcement is the newly released single “Pearls,” a reflective heartland rock anthem that finds Fallon grappling with privilege, perseverance and self-worth. “I do think there’s real value in overcoming the odds stacked against you,” he says. “Getting to the point of feeling like you’re actually worth something is one of the toughest mountains to climb.”
Produced by longtime collaborator Butch Walker at his Nashville-area studio, “Not Bad For New Jersey” finds Fallon leaning into a bigger, more exuberant sound than some of his previous solo outings. Drawing inspiration from classic radio staples like Bryan Adams’ “Run to You” and the Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” the album blends power pop hooks with the blue-collar romanticism that has defined much of his songwriting career.
The record also boasts an impressive supporting cast. The Killers’ Brandon Flowers appears on “Love at the End of the World,” while Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, celebrated avant-garde player Marc Ribot and Grammy-winning songwriter Lori McKenna contribute elsewhere across the album. Walker himself played multiple instruments throughout the sessions, joined by drummer Eric Slick of Dr. Dog.
Elsewhere, Fallon takes inspiration from one of punk rock’s most enduring figures. “Nobody Likes You in New York City” is described as a surprisingly tender tribute to Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone, written from the perspective of his former wife, Vera Boldis.
The new album arrives after a particularly active period for Fallon. In 2023, the Gaslight Anthem returned from a lengthy hiatus with “History Books”, their first studio album in nine years, followed by an extensive international touring schedule. Last week, Fallon performed Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” during Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us, a celebration tied to the opening of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University in New Jersey.
The Fat Angel Sings 