Powerhouse guitarist-vocalist Ana Popovic returns with her new album, "Dance To The Rhythm" (Electric Heel Records; Release Date: September 26, 2025 digital, October 30, 2026 physical street date). 'Dance to the Rhythm’ blends searing blues style with elements of rock, R&B, soul and funk to create a unique sound that is intriguing and powerful, unpredictable and new, but unmistakably her very own.
The Serbian-born, Los Angeles based artist known for her electric guitar wizardry and captivating live shows has delivered a ten-track potpourri of tunes -- many that seems like Ana is determined to get her fans up and dancing, with upbeat, dance-tinged tracks such as "Worked Up," "Hurt So Good," "Sho' Nuf," and the title track. There's also a tasty remake of Paul Simon's "Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover;" the hot, funk-with-rap flavored "California Chase" and "Hottest Ticket In Town;" and the soul-gospel infused "Dwell On The Feeling" which merges Popovic’s torrid guitar licks with her sweet-toned, idiosyncratic, yet commanding vocals. Popovic shows off her guitar chops on the soulful "Soulution." Dance to the Rhythm is a mission statement for the masses, alerting her faithful fans that the six-stringer is back—with a bullet.
"Dance To The Rhythm sums up my life and affection towards this incredible path of music I chose, my perseverance and joy of being who I am, musically and in every other way, surrounded with people that support my vision," says Popovic. "Back in 2022 and 2023 with the Power album I wasn’t sure of anything. I wasn’t sure if that was going to be the last record I would record, if I was taking a break, or if I was even able to physically tour and record. Those were the most challenging few years of my life. The future was unsure.
"For the past three years, Buthel and I have been cooking up another ten pieces of music -- pieces of our lives, carefully crafted, to support space and time where we musically right now, and where we want to be in the next few years with our big band, our small band… all the band formations we have," adds Popovic. "People write to satisfy the critics, to cross over, to satisfy the ‘blues police’ the “rock police” the "any other police.” We write to accommodate our live show. To inspire the band. Because the live show is where it’s at, for us. That’s my passion and that’s my quest in music.
"And it will, as with every record I ever made, let you discover a new Ana, simultaneously reminding you who Ana really is. Because, my dear fans and friends, you haven’t heard it all just yet."
Dance To The Rhythm, which merges the soulful bliss of ‘70s funk and R&B with Popovic’s rare brand of fearless modern blues, is a barnburner. Ana Popovic remains an inventive modern-day maestro. Listen to the unbridled energy and subtle nuances throughout Dance to the Rhythm and enjoy an eye-opening, ear-expanding experience. Take the journey.
TRACK LISTING
Dance To The Rhythm (4:13)
Worked Up (3:09)
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (4:36)
California Chase (3:31)
Hurt So Good (4:26)
Sho' Nuf (3:48)
Dwell On The Feeling (3:49)
Soulution (4:39)
Hottest Ticket In Town (2:51)
Sisters And Brothers (4:11)
PERSONNEL
Ana Popovic: Vocals, Guitar, Slide Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Bruthel: Bass Guitar, Background Vocals
Michele Papadia: Keyboards (Tracks 3, 4, and 8)
Jeremy Thomas: Keyboards (Tracks 1, 2, and 6)
Chris Coleman: Drums (Tracks 4, 7)
Donnel Spencer: Drums (Tracks 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10)
Claudio Giovagnoli: Saxophone (Track 3)
Davide Ghidoni: Trumpet (Track 3)
Jordan Carr: Trumpet and Horn Arrangements (Tracks 1, 4)
Evan Knight: Saxophone (Track 1)
Brett Lamel: Trombone (Track 1)
Karl Vandenbosche and Frank Moca: Percussion (Track 10)
Colonia Calhoun Burns: Background Vocals (Tracks 3, 7)
Traci Nelson and Skyler Gordon: Background Vocals (Tracks 1, 2, 6, 8)
J Sabin: Background Vocals (Tracks 4, 5, 6 10)
Jordana Kelly: Background Vocals
