Today, following months of anticipation, Texas blues torch-bearer Gary Clark Jr. has officially released his fifth studio album, This Land. Since the then-unnamed album was initially detailed back in October, fans have eagerly awaited the release of the project, which Clark promised would stretch perceptions of him as a straight blues artist.
As Clark explained in a video announcing the project, “When I started off on the record, it was really about the drums. If the drums aren’t poppin’, you’re wasting your time.” He continued, “I got all the colors, I’ma paint with all of them. … My punk edge comes from really just wanting to be a punk. Reggae influence? Yes. It goes back to that fusion thing. … When I was growing up, a lot of music venues played lots of different types of music every night. A lot of influences. A lot of stuff going on. It’s in what I do, I guess. … I’m not gonna give you my whole recipe, but the only person who can put rules on it is yourself.”
Now that sprawling 17-track album is out, it’s clear Clark wasn’t exaggerating about its stylistic scope. From the scorching hip-hop-inflected diatribe of “This Land” to the defiant blues-rock of “What About Us” to the smooth R&B-turned-arena rock of “I Got My Eyes On You” to the shimmery pop vibes of “I Walk Alone” and the island reggae aesthetic of “Feelin’ Like A Million”, This Land wastes no time making good on Clark’s promise of a diverse offering.
The wide-ranging approach continues to broaden with the Ramones-like punk drive of “Gotta Get Into Something”, grungey horn-fueled anthem “Got To Get Up”, the Curtis Mayfield-reminiscent croon and NOLA-style horns of “Feed The Babies“, the soulful slow burn of “Pearl Cadillac“, the early rock and roll feel of “When I’m Gone”, and the disco-funk-flavored “The Guitar Man”.
Of course, Clark’s well-known blues chops are still on display, from the distorted drive of “Low Down Rolling Stone” to the easy-going front porch strumming of “The Governor”, which also makes a contrasting cameo at the end of the fiery “This Land” music video.
But as soon as you think the album is moving back toward Clark’s more familiar blues territory, it takes yet another left turn into “Don’t Wait Til Tomorrow”, a contemporary R&B number that wouldn’t sound out of place on a record from any mainstream hip-hop artist’s album.
Gary Clark Jr.’s 12-bar roots once again bubble to the top to close the album proper with “Dirty Dishes Blues”. However, his stylistic diversity once again pops up in the album’s two bonus tracks: the 808-propelled “Highway 71” and the sexual 70s funk vamp “Did Dat”.
All told, This Land is a truly impressive, wide-ranging showing from an artist long associated with a somewhat niche style. If you thought Gary Clark Jr. was just your run-of-the-mill blues shredder, This Land will make you think again. On his new record, Gary Clark Jr. tees up a boatload of genres and makes all of them his own with stunning fluidity. Once the world hears it, there should be no disagreement. As the title track confirms, this land is Gary Clark Jr.’s.
Listen to This Land in its entirety below:
Gary Clark Jr. – This Land – Full Album
In support of This Land, Gary Clark Jr. is preparing to head out tour this spring and summer. Head over to his website to find out when you can catch him live.
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