Shinedown’s Brent Smith and Zach Myers announced that that their duo group, Smith & Myers, will release a full-length album, Smith & Myers Volume 1 on October 9th . They already debuted two songs off the upcoming album. “Not Mad Enough” is an original from the duo that is focused on racial justice. It was written in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s death. The other song released is a slowed down, piano heavy cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In The Free World”. Both songs can be seen below.
Smith & Myers Volume 1 will have five original tracks and five covers that were chosen from fan-submitted songs. The five covers will include Post Malone’s “Better Now”, INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart”, Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie”, and The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody”. Zach Myers said it was an odd time to make a record at the beginning of a global pandemic, but the state of the world is reflected in the art made on the forthcoming album.
“It was some of the most creative times I’ve ever had as a musician or a songwriter. For the covers, we felt that we should approach them as a duo as if we had written the song modern day. With the originals, Brent and I had never discussed some of this subject matter before and we dug so deep while also touching on a world that’s rapidly changing around us the last eight months. We felt it would be disingenuous not to touch on social issues we ALL face as humans. We put a lot into this album and we truly hope you enjoy listening to it.”
Brent Smith added that this all started because of the fans:
“We’ve spent a great deal of time and energy making sure this project is completely authentic. The main reason Smith & Meyers exists has to do with the fans. A project that was born from multiple requests over the years has now evolved into its true identity. Make no mistake — it’s about the songs, it’s about the story, and above all it’s about the message.”
The is the duos first full-length album and first original music since releasing Acoustic Sessions, Part 1 and Acoustic Sessions, Part 2 in 2014.
Smith & Myers Volume 1 track listing:
- Not Mad Enough
- Rockin’ In The Free World
- The Weight Of It All
- Better Now
- Panic
- Never Tear Us Apart
- Coast To Coast
- Valerie
- Since You Were Mine
- Unchained Melody
