Bob Dylan announces new album, Rough And Rowdy Ways
His first collection of new original material since 2012 is set to arrive in June.
Photo: Harry Scott / Redferns
Following the surprise release of the 17-minute ode to John F. Kennedy, Murder Most Foul, and the sparsely arranged ballad I Contain Multitudes, Bob Dylan has finally lifted the veil on his new upcoming 10-track album, Rough And Rowdy Ways – set to arrive 19 June.
Rough And Rowdy Ways – which will be Dylan’s 39th studio album and first to feature new songs since 2012’s Tempest – was announced in a tweet from the bard himself, where he shared the album’s release date, as well as a new six-minute single entitled False Prophet. Take a look at the full tweet here.
New album ‘Rough And Rowdy Ways’ coming June 19th.
Pre-order now: https://t.co/SN0XeyNKiN
Listen to “False Prophet” here: https://t.co/05k7HYtPiK pic.twitter.com/raitEZpabe— Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) May 8, 2020
Unlike the two previously released singles, the blues-rock shuffle tune False Prophet sees Dylan backed by a full band – complete with guitar, bass and drums. Take a listen below.
Dylan teased new material in a cryptic tweet posted earlier today (8 May), in which he shared an image of a top-hatted skeleton in an art style reminiscent of retro pulp novels, accompanied by the caption: “What are you lookin’ at – there’s nothing to see.” That image has since been revealed to be the single art for False Prophet.
Pre-ordering for the album on Dylan’s official website has begun. Rough And Rowdy Ways will be available as both a double CD and as a double-vinyl release. Although a caption revealed that the album will feature 10 tracks, its tracklisting is blurred in product images. Take a look below:
Dylan had been set to perform a string of shows in Japan in April – but those plans were dashed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, the show organisers wrote: “We are so sorry to cancel the shows, but in the interest of Public Health And Safety, we are left with no alternative. Therefore we have [regretfully] decided to cancel the upcoming Bob Dylan concerts here in Japan scheduled 1 to 24 April. We will look to rebook the shows in the future.”
Learn more at bobdylan.com.
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