On Thursday morning, Bruce Springsteen rode on up on his horse with confirmation of his first new album in five years, Western Stars, due out June 14th via Columbia. As promised, he’s let loose his first new single off the record, “Hello Sunshine”.
Seeing how the album draws inspiration from the SoCal pop records of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, it’s not surprising to hear echoes of Glenn Campbell’s somber vocals or the arrangements of Burt Bacharach. Springsteen’s wearing his influences aboard a train from Middle America to the West Coast.
“You know I always liked that empty road/ No place to be and miles to go,” he croons deep into the ballad, which soon connects with a mild warning, of “You can get a little too fond of the blues/ you walk too far, you walk away.” At 69 years old, he’s still imparting words of wisdom. Probably always will.
Hitch a ride with Bruce and hit the open roads by watching the song’s accompanying video, which you can see below.
Western Stars Tracklist:
01. Hitch Hikin’
02. The Wayfarer
03. Tucson Train
04. Western Stars
05. Sleepy Joe’s Café
06. Drive Fast (The Stuntman)
07. Chasin’ Wild Horses
08. Sundown
09. Somewhere North of Nashville
10. Stones
11. There Goes My Miracle
12. Hello Sunshine
13. Moonlight Motel