Sturgill Simpson Embarks on 'Disco-Hedonism' with New Johnny Blue Skies Album

Sturgill Simpson is making good on his promise to release only five studio albums under his own name. Mutiny After Midnight, the second record under the singer-songwriter’s Johnny Blue Skies moniker, is set to arrive March 13 via Atlantic Outpost on physical formats only (vinyl, CD, cassette).

In a letter posted ahead of the official announcement, Simpson states that he and his band—now known as Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds—“decided to make an album centered firmly on groove,” adding that the songs on the album break down “into two categories—the dark state of the world and the bright state of love.”
Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds: Mutiny After Midnight Album Cover Art

As for the title, Simpson notes, “this mutiny is really more about the primary dance. The dance of all creation. To be clear it is a protest against oppression and suppression, and the only tried & tested true antidote to that is pure, unfiltered, unapologetic, relentless disco-hedonism.”

Also included in the press release are Simpson’s lyrics from opening track “Make America Fuk Again”:

> Been learning lessons and getting bubbles busted
> Learning how to turn ADHD into hyper-focus
> Getting my heart broke by people I trusted
> Weaponizing my autism to shit out an opus
> Been coming to terms with my obsolescence
> Taking ketamine to kill my depression
> It beats being fogged out on anti-depressants
> Wait, that reminds me, time to book another session...
> Maybe things have been worse but I can’t remember when
> Wanna start a revolution and watch it begin

Johnny Blue Skies released their first album, Passage du Desir, in 2024. Simpson’s last album as Sturgill Simpson was 2021’s The Ballad of Dood & Juanita.

Here is the tracklist for Mutiny After Midnight:

1. Make America Fuk Again
2. Excited Delirium
3. Don’t Let Go
4. Stay on That
5. Viridescent
6. Situation
7. Venus
8. Everyone Is Welcome
9. Ain’t That a Bitch

In his letter, Simpson further elaborates on the album's themes and the band's camaraderie:

"The enjoyment we experienced in making this album of songs will be quite evident for the listener... To categorize Mutiny is tricky, but many will no doubt come with their glass ceilings to try. We believe the term American Music pretty much says it all... this mutiny is really more about the primary dance... a protest against oppression and suppression, and the only tried & tested true antidote to that is pure, unfiltered, unapologetic, relentless disco-hedonism."

He also expresses gratitude for his bandmates: drummer Miles Miller, lead guitarist Laur Joamets, bassist Kevin Black and keyboardist/saxist Robbie Crowell. He acknowledges their individual brilliance and the collective shine they create together.

Simpson concludes with a message of defiance and artistic freedom:

"Beyond the static, the only things that truly matter are the sounds we make and the ears that absorb them... I now wake up every day with the sole intention of doing my best at what I’m best at simply being a pirate... There will be no quarter nor mercy offered nor given."

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