Americana, roots-rock outfit Jamie McLean Band will release their newest full-length album, One Step Forward, on October 25th via Harmonized Records. Recorded at Grand Street Recording in Brooklyn, NY, the album was engineered and mixed by Ken Rich and mastered by Whynot Jansveld.
Ahead of the album’s release, the video for McLean’s single “Summer of Who Knows When” premiered on Americana Highways, who praised it, saying, "Is there anything that feels more like summertime than heartland rock? Jamie says he had Tom Petty on his mind when composing this song, and you can certainly tell—it’s soaked in that vibe. Nostalgia and those summers of youth and laid-back rhythms. This one is as sweet as they come." Jamie McLean Band will be touring throughout 2024, with stops in Boston, Richmond, VA, Washington, DC, Woodstock, NY, New York City, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Charleston, SC, and many more!
One Step Forward explores themes of "life, loss, and love," says McLean. "The things that inspire us and keep us going. The things we’ve lost. The people we love the most. Positivity. I’m recently engaged and want to share that happiness." The most poignant track on the album, “Don’t Leave Us Now,” was written in response to losing a close friend to suicide. McLean highlights the importance of men reaching out to one another in times of despair. "I never imagined my life would be touched by suicide. I’ve also personally struggled with depression. It’s a rarely discussed epidemic, especially for men, and I want people to know there’s no shame in struggling, seeking help, and doing all we can to get healthy, happy, and prevent these tragedies. It’s a call to action and a song of hope for anyone who may be struggling."
The Jamie McLean Band showcases the songwriter’s strong hooks, deft guitar skills, and whiskey-soaked vocals, with performances by drummer Brian Griffin (The Black Crowes, Brandi Carlile), bassist Chris Anderson (Rachel Platten, Richard Marx), and original JMB keyboardist Jon Solo (Brett Dennen, Angus & Julia Stone).
The album kicks off with the infectious and immediate “The Summer of Who Knows When,” where McLean joyfully reminisces about summers past and classic childhood memories. The song nods to Tom Petty’s catchy Southern rock style. "A true summer anthem! This is a roll-your-windows-down, crank-up-the-stereo, put-your-feet-in-the-sand kind of song with a big rock-and-roll groove and sing-along lyrics! Tom Petty’s ‘Running Down A Dream’ is name-checked in the lyrics, and you can feel Petty’s spirit throughout. The rock-and-roll guitar riff at the start sets the tone for a summer party," McLean exclaims.
The LP seamlessly transitions into the celebratory “Calendar Girl,” McLean’s musical love letter. "As I prepared to propose to my longtime girlfriend, this song just flowed out of me. When I wrote the lyric, ‘I think she’s the one. She might be the one. I KNOW she’s the one,’ it was an emotional moment that solidified my feelings about the relationship. The verses capture all the things I love about her."
Next is the groove-laden “Too Little Too Late,” which highlights Chris Anderson’s melodic basslines. "This was written in Nashville during a co-write with the great Jabe Byer,” McLean shares. "We were talking about a relationship that hadn’t worked out, and the song quickly wrote itself. We explored many musical ideas, but once we landed on this funky arrangement, it felt perfect. It really grooves, and the outro guitar solo brings an exciting moment of exploration during live shows."
“Don’t Leave Us Now” features soaring melodies and poignant lyrics, accompanied by chiming guitars and steady drum grooves, creating a beautiful sonic backdrop for a deeply emotional subject. "This song is about losing someone to suicide," McLean explains. "It’s a call to action and a message of hope for those struggling."
The intro to “New York Penny Lane” clearly showcases its George-Martin-Beatles influence. "I’ve heard ‘Why don’t you ever write a song about me?’ more than once. This time, I finally followed through. The verses take you through moments of a relationship, and I love how the track turned out—it’s exactly as I heard it in my head, which rarely happens."
“Feeling Good” opens with a gentle, upbeat acoustic guitar, with McLean painting a summery scene of what inspires him to feel good. "I find rejuvenation in the ocean and the southwestern sunsets. The ‘sparkles on the water like diamonds’ is an image I go to often in my mind. Once I sang that line, the song took on a life of its own. It invites the listener to join in—'I’m feeling good. How about you?'"
The bass drum and McLean’s percussive guitar introduce “I Believe In Love.” "I write a lot in the early morning, and this song came to me while sitting on my front steps one fall afternoon. It was a dark time personally and around the world, and I needed to reassure myself and others that things would get better. The chorus is a mantra: 'I believe in love.' It’s simple, universal, and powerful."
The album’s final track, the title song, once again features Chris Anderson’s groovy bass playing, McLean’s rhythmic guitar riffs, and Jon Solo’s dreamy organ. "This song started as a subtle guitar riff, and before I knew it, a song had formed. It was late at night on the couch, and I sang, ‘All night, just waiting for a little magic. Something to turn me on.’ I guess I needed some inspiration, and the song became my muse. The chorus speaks to missteps, perseverance, and reassurance: ‘I’ve been a hurricane, but I’m on my feet.’"
