“Every time I see the sun, it’s like my life has just begun,” bluegrass superstar Billy Strings sings on “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe In You”, the latest single from his forthcoming new album, Highway Prayers. That line’s thematic openness to renewal and wondrous interest in the cosmos both come into play in the accompanying video for the ethereal, two-part track, now available to view on YouTube.
From the zonked-out psychedelic haze of “Stratosphere Blues” to the sobering, learning-to-navigate-choppy-waters aesthetic of “I Believe In You”, the two-part, six-minute track/video pair retro-surrealist tendencies with stark flashes of real-life perspective to mystifying effect—so mystifying, in fact, that it’s easy not to notice that this hasn’t really been a bluegrass song until the first hints of audible banjo appear through misty effects more than five minutes in.
Highway Prayers marks Billy Strings’ first studio release since his 2022 father-son team-up LP Me/And/Dad and his first solo studio collection since 2021’s Renewal. The 20-track LP, co-produced by Billy Strings and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Mac Miller, Aimee Mann) was announced on August 2nd alongside the release of its lead single, “Leadfoot“.
Recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, the album features Strings and his longtime band—Billy Failing (banjo, vocals), Royal Masat (bass, vocals), Jarrod Walker (mandolin, vocals) and Alex Hargraves (fiddle)—as well as additional contributions from Jon Brion (co-producer, bass, drums, percussion), Matt Chamberlain (drums), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Jason Carter (fiddle), Lindsay Lou (backing vocals), Nathaniel Smith (cello), Taneka Samone (backing vocals), Cory Henry (piano), Peter “Madcat” Ruth (harmonica, jaw harp) and Victor Furtado (clawhammer banjo).
Below, watch the official music video for “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe In You” by Billy Strings and view the full list of video credits. Scroll down to see the full tracklist for Highway Prayers, due out on September 27th, 2024.
Billy Strings – “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe In You” (Official Music Video)
Billy Strings will remain busy on the road this fall with dates at a string of notable amphitheaters and arenas across the country. Find tickets to upcoming Billy Strings concerts here. Click below for a full list of dates.
The post Billy Strings Strays From Bluegrass Path On Dreamy “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe In You” [Watch/Listen] appeared first on L4LM.
