James McMurtry Set to Release His First Album in Four Years: The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy

Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry is back with a poignant new record, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy, marking his first album release in four years. The forthcoming album, set to drop on June 20 via New West Records, is a deeply personal reflection inspired by the loss of McMurtry’s father.

The album’s title track, released today, dives straight into themes of memory and loss, a sentiment that resonates profoundly with the artist. McMurtry shared that the inspiration for the song and the album title stemmed from a conversation with his stepmother, Faye. “After my dad passed, she asked me if he ever talked to me about his hallucinations…his favorite hallucinations were the black dog and the wandering boy,” he explained. This blend of personal narrative and fictional character serves as a compelling backdrop for the entire album.

The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy follows McMurtry’s previous work, The Horses and the Hounds, released in 2021. Co-produced with Don Dixon, this new album features a star-studded lineup of contributors, including Sarah Jarosz, Charlie Sexton, Bonnie Whitmore, and accordionist and vocalist BettySoo. The collaboration promises to add rich layers to McMurtry’s already intricate storytelling.

With tracks like “Laredo (Small Dark Something)” and “Sons of the Second Sons,” McMurtry continues to carve out his unmistakable niche in Americana music, exploring themes that resonate with both personal and universal significance.

For fans eagerly awaiting new material, this album promises a blend of McMurtry’s trademark lyrical sharpness paired with the emotional weight of his recent experiences. Listen to the title track now, and prepare for an album that once again showcases why McMurtry is a modern master of narrative songwriting.

Tracklist for The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy:

1. Laredo (Small Dark Something)
2. South Texas Lawman
3. The Color of Night
4. Pinocchio in Vegas
5. Annie
6. The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
7. Back to Coeur d’Alene
8. Sons of the Second Sons
9. Sailing Away
10. Broken Freedom Song

As the release date approaches, expect The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy to resonate with fans both new and old, reaffirming McMurtry’s vital place in contemporary music.

Written by Pitchfork