Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on February 12, 2026
Sentimental Fever will be available May 1st, 2026
Singer-songwriter Ben Musser releases the new single and video “Falling by the Wayside” today, a propulsive, pissed-off blues-rocker pushed forward by Wurlitzer and slide guitar in a way that calls back to Eric Clapton and Duane Allman’s ’70s heyday.
“I’m sounding the alarm,” says Musser, “that the life and privileges enjoyed by Americans is ‘Falling by the Wayside’ because of apathy. Some of these influencers have reach, but won’t engage in politics. I want them to do something besides just drawing attention to themselves for the sake of drawing attention to themselves.” “Staring at your screens / Being tracked by the man / C’mon stand up and fight,” Musser sings.
GRAMMY-winning legend Scott Mathews plays drums, alternating between sparse alt-rock toms in the verses and full-on ride-cymbal rock on the choruses.
The “Falling by the Wayside” video accentuates the point that Musser played nearly everything on the record, while showcasing his homestead in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Multiple versions of Musser appear as a band in varied visions of Western wear, orchestrated by fashion designer and film-producer W. Zeb Smith.
WATCH: “Falling by the Wayside” (YouTube)
Album Announcement
Musser’s new album Sentimental Fever arrives May 1 via Blackbird Record Label. The record takes on classic pop and soul through a lens of folk-rock, Americana, blues and even ’50s doo wop, finding Musser taking stock of the sentimental things in his life: being a good husband, fatherhood, loves lost, loves found, and everything in between. It’s more than the first album to be released under his own name (fka Benyaro); it’s also the singular work of a one-man band, with Musser writing every song and playing nearly every instrument.
Sentimental Fever was co-produced with Mathews (known for work with The Beach Boys, Jack Nitzsche, Mick Jagger, Van Morrison and Roy Orbison). Mathews contributed drums and spinet on two tracks and background vocals, while Musser recorded every other instrument during a demanding two-week session. The album was mastered by Jeff Lipton (Bob Mould, Andrew Bird, Madison Cunningham, Alejandro Escovedo, Stephen Malkmus).
More Info
benmusser.com
