THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The third album from Icelandic rockers Kaleo, Mixed Emotions is a landmark tackling themes from ending gun violence to overcoming despair. Co-produced by frontman JJ Julius Son and Grammy winners Eddie Spear (Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell) and Shawn Everett (Killers, Kacey Musgraves), this is Kaleo’s most ambitious album yet — it hits hard and digs deep in its mission, urging us to embrace our full spectrum of emotions during these trying times.
“The theme of Mixed Emotions is kind of going through the various mood swings of life. For me, both mentally and musically,” says JJ. “I don’t like to limit myself to a specific genre and enjoy the freedom to explore where to take my songs sonically. They are each different and require different treatments and approaches. I truly feel there is something for everyone on this album.”
Start with the single Back Door, a brooding, timeless and bluesy rocker that highlights JJ’s gravelled vocal. “Back Door is a song that we’ve had for quite a while,” he says. “We’d performed it live for years, therefore, many of our fans already know it and have been begging us to record it. We’re very happy to finally put it on tape and make it a part of Mixed Emotions. It’s always been met with such great reception when we’ve played it and we’re really excited for more people to experience it and add to the energy we feel during the shows.”
Work on Mixed Emotions began in March 2023 at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, and was completed in between non-stop touring working with Spear in Nashville as well as Everett in L.A. It is a passionate artistic statement from a band unafraid to take chances, but comfortable with the unique sound they have refined over their many years on the road. “Finding time between two years of heavy touring the band put all their energy into making this album.” Spear stated, adding, “JJ in particular dedicated and pushed himself to near destruction to get the vocal performances and arrangements to be as enjoyable as they are. There’s nothing better than making music with your friends and I am so proud to have helped facilitate the production of such a fantastic collection of songs.”
Crunching guitars and pounding drums underscore the high-octane, adrenaline-fueled Rock N Roller and Back Door — songs which show us how to let the good times roll even when the times are hard. Elsewhere, Kaleo display sonic restraint, drawing inspiration from folk and American roots. On Lonely Cowboy, they utilize subtle plucked acoustic guitars ringing over haunting pedal steels. The slow-build anthem USA Today unleashes a sound more impassioned and thought-provoking than anything the band has released. JJ’s distinct and inimitable vocals shine throughout, sharing potent stories of overcoming adversity and finding peace within.
After amassing over four billion global streams, 60 gold, platinum, and diamond certifications, countless sold-out headlining shows, plus appearances at noteworthy festivals, the Grammy-nominated Icelandic rockers have proven to be a worldwide phenomenon. Known for their electrifying live performances, they toured nonstop for three years in support of their platinum-selling debut album A/B, which spawned the megahit Way Down We Go. The song hasbene streamed more than 1.3 billion times and is featured in nearly 3 million TikToks, cementing it as one of the most viral tracks in history.”
