THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “British blues-rock sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor’s 10th album Black & Gold reunites her with iconic producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Journey, Joe Bonamassa). Showcasing Taylor’s bold creativit while, blending blues-rock with influences from Americana and indie rock to ’80s pop, Black & Gold offers a captivating mix of heart-wrenching ballads and hard-hitting rock tracks that redefine the boundaries of blues.
Black & Gold delves into the intricacies of human connection, resilience, and self-discovery, capturing the highs and lows of life with raw authenticity. The album balances deeply personal reflections with universal themes, exploring heartbreak, empowerment, and the bittersweet nature of change. Musically, it pushes the boundaries of blues-rock, setting Taylor’s soulful guitar work and powerhouse vocals against a variety of genres. With its rich emotional depth and dynamic soundscapes, Black & Gold is a compelling journey through the complexities of modern life, delivered with the fearless innovation that has become Taylor’s hallmark.
Joanne shares about the single Grayer Shade Of Blue: “This story is a personal one to me. Since this is my 10th studio album and I’m going into a fresh decade’s worth of recording, I decided I wanted to use some of my writing on this album to put to bed something that has been bothering me. This song is about a close friendship I had for over a decade that ended suddenly. I’ve never known why. The person just stopped communicating with me, which understandably has made me very sad. This song was my attempt to give myself some closure on the situation as evidently, none will; be given to me otherwise. I love how it turned out and I’m very happy now to close that chapter in my life but still be able to cherish memories.”
Grayer Shade Of Blue follows a string of acclaimed singles Joanne has released over the past year from the album, including Who’s Gonna Love Me Now, a deeply personal exploration of grief and healing, and I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down, which channels the frustration and resolve of ending an on-again, off-again relationship dominated by unfulfilled promises. Earlier singles like All The Things I Said and her celebrated cover of the Sam Sparro-penned title track further highlight the album’s dynamic scope, with each track showcasing Joanne’s ability to blend raw emotion with searing guitar work and masterful songwriting.”
