Country music legend Dwight Yoakam, a multiple GRAMMY Award-winning artist, will release his highly anticipated album, ‘Brighter Days,' on November 15, 2024, through Via Records/Thirty Tigers. This marks Yoakam’s first album of new material in nearly a decade. The record’s debut track, ‘I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom),' is a collaboration with Post Malone and is available for streaming now, alongside an official music video. Yoakam also recently released another song from the album, ‘Wide Open Heart,' giving fans a further taste of his latest sound.
‘Brighter Days,' recorded and written over the last three years, features 12 new songs penned by Yoakam and two standout covers that bridge genres: the Carter Family’s classic ‘Keep On The Sunny Side' and ‘Bound Away' by Cake. The album, self-produced by Yoakam, delivers a unique blend of his “cowpunk-tual” style—combining the timeless roots of country with a rebellious, California rock-and-roll edge. His signature craftsmanship and lyrics have been elevated by mixing engineer Chris Lord-Alge, adding a powerful dimension to Yoakam's hallmark sound.
Brighter Days Tracklisting:
- Wide Open Heart
- I’ll Pay The Price
- Bound Away (Cake cover)
- California Sky
- Can’t Be Wrong
- I Spell Love
- A Dream That Never Ends
- Brighter Days
- I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom) (with Post Malone)
- If Only
- Hand Me Down Heart
- Time Between
- Keep On The Sunny Side (The Carter Family cover)
- Every Night
(Produced by Dwight Yoakam)
With ‘Brighter Days,' Yoakam once again demonstrates his ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with striking, genre-defying soundscapes. The album’s covers uniquely reinterpret classic tracks, seamlessly woven into Yoakam’s body of work to create a profound listening experience. The mix of traditional country, rock, and punk elements reinforces Yoakam’s legacy as a trailblazer in the country and “cowpunk” movements.
Dwight Yoakam’s career spans over four decades with more than 26 million albums sold worldwide, five #1 Billboard albums, and a vast list of accolades. With 21 GRAMMY nominations, Yoakam has earned both Gold and Platinum albums, and in 2024 he’ll be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Music Awards. Known for his innovative collaborations across genres, Yoakam has worked with artists ranging from Beck and Jack White to ZZ Top, and has shared stages with legends like Johnny Cash and Buck Owens.
Yoakam has also built an impressive acting career, with roles in over 40 films, including Sling Blade, Panic Room, Logan Lucky, and a recurring role in Amazon’s Goliath. His diverse roles have seen him perform alongside Hollywood stars such as Jodie Foster, Tommy Lee Jones, and Matthew McConaughey.
Starting in Nashville before relocating to Los Angeles in 1977, Yoakam became a pioneer of the “L.A. Cowpunk Scene,” a genre rooted in the raw energy of second-wave rockabilly and punk. Now, with ‘Brighter Days,' Yoakam brings his unique sound to a new era of listeners. Fans can pre-save the album now and tune in to hear Yoakam’s latest masterpiece unfold.
