Ahead of their new album out this Friday, Nashville rockers Country Westerns share new track “Knucklen” – listen HERE. Marking the band’s second full-length release for Fat Possum, Forgive The City is also their second to be helmed by famed producer Matt Sweeney (who also contributes his lead guitar stylings to a few tracks). The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch in the lead-up to the album’s release, including the album’s recent designation as one of Pitchfork’s “43 Most Anticipated Albums of Spring 2023.”

“‘Knucklen’ is a song about being restless and tired, which was fitting during lockdown and has a renewed meaning for me now that we’ve been on the road for the better part of the last year,” says vocalist and guitarist Joey Plunket. “It’s also about enduring partnerships and resilience. On that note, it features our long-enduring producer Matt Sweeney on the six string guitar which really adds some atmosphere. We recorded it early in the sessions and set the tone for the pace and punch we wanted on the LP so it felt right to make it the opening track.”

Country Westerns recently wrapped their second run of tour dates with indie rock heroes Titus Andronicus, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be off the road for long. Coming up this summer and fall, the band will also support Deer Tick on an extensive run of shows, and they’ve got new headline dates of their own as well. See the full list of dates below, which include stops at Third Man Nashville’s Blue Room venue and Brooklyn hotspot Union Pool. Additionally, fans can catch the band performing a live set on WFMU’s Three Chord Monte on May 8.

HEAR “KNUCKLEN” & PRE-ORDER FORGIVE THE CITY

Country Westerns' self-titled debut album (Fat Possum) drew praise from all corners of the media world. Pitchfork called the album "ragged in all the right places" and named it one of the 35 Best Rock Albums of 2020. American Songwriter called "Gentle Soul," its first single, "the band’s not-so-subtle entrance to the Nashville rock scene" and praiased its "poetic punk rock sneer." Nashville Scene also weighed in, lauding the band's "rocking post-Neil Young sound" and "casually literate songs." Shortly thereafter, BrooklynVegan noted that "Country Westerns make twangy rock n’ roll with a punk energy that is in the same tradition as The Replacements or Old ’97s or Bottle Rockets." Glide Magazine shared their enthusiasm, noting that the band are "quintessential barroom rockers." Consequence of Sound had similar sentiments for album highlight "I'm Not Ready," calling it "a ripper of the classic kind." No Depression also praised the album, calling it "a striking addition to 2020’s rock landscape."

Country Westerns’ sophomore album, Forgive the City, hits the streets on April 28th, 2023 via the venerable Fat Possum Records. With twelve songs in thirty minutes, it’s a tighter and faster spin on their sound. Joseph Plunket, chief songwriter and electric 12-string samurai had this to say about the album after being pressed for intel: 

“Overall, it’s about partnerships. Though never planned as a concept, writing the last few songs (sometimes in the studio) I started to realize that none dealt with romantic relationships in any direct way. They’re intense songs about friendships, fellow travelers, even business associations—how exciting they can be when things begin and how disappointments, betrayals or shared success can leave just as much a mark on your life as romantic love. In the end that’s all a band is right?”

Forgive the City builds on the band's self-titled debut, which Pitchfork included in their "35 Best Rock Albums of 2020" list. Handling production duties as he did on their debut, guitar impresario Matt Sweeney says about Country Westerns following their Forgive The City sessions:

“I wanna make records with these fools til the wheels come off. Joey’s this iconic poetic rocker, for real. His voice is desperate and wise. His songs are too. And anyone who’s seen Harmony Korine’s movie Trash Humpers knows how Brian Kotzur can wreck a joint but have you watched him slay the drum set? Kotzur is unmatched.”