NASHVILLE, TN – Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Amanda Shires is set to release her highly anticipated new album, Nobody’s Girl, on September 26th via ATO Records. The announcement comes alongside the release of her latest single, “Lately,” offering fans a further glimpse into the deeply personal and sonically rich project.
“Nobody’s Girl” marks Shires’s latest studio album and the follow-up to her widely lauded 2022 release, “Take It Like A Man.” The new collection promises to be her most powerful work yet, delving into themes of heartbreak, loss, resilience, self-discovery, and empowerment. Shires herself describes the album as “what came after the wreckage, the silence, the rebuilding,” reflecting a journey of standing in the aftermath of life-altering experiences and finding inner strength.
“Lately”: A Soul-Searching Single
The newly released single, “Lately,” co-written by Shires and keyboardist Peter Levin, exemplifies the album’s introspective yet hopeful tone. The track explores an optimistic, soul-searching “in-between place,” inviting listeners into Shires’s reflections. While the initial context highlights the song’s optimistic yet soul-searching nature, “Lately” has also been described as Warren Zevon-like, though one review noted an overblown guitar solo detracting from its impact. Despite such critique, the song, like much of Shires’s recent music, is characterized by her delicate vocals and vulnerable lyrics.
A Deep Dive into “Nobody’s Girl”
Produced by Lawrence Rothman, “Nobody’s Girl” is a 12-track record that showcases Shires’s moving vocals and signature fiddle playing. The songs range from raw, achingly beautiful ballads to more robust, rock-infused anthems. The album was meticulously recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, TN, with contributions from a stellar lineup of musicians including Fred Eltringham and Julian Dorio on drums, Dominic Davis on bass, Peter Levin on keys, Zach Setchfield on guitar, and Rothman also contributing guitar. Additional tracking took place at Rothman Recorders in Los Angeles, CA, with Jay Bellerose, Pino Palladino, Jimbo Hart, and Joe Kennedy also lending their talents.
Shires has never shied away from blurring genre lines, but “Nobody’s Girl” is noted for focusing more on emotional boundaries than sonic ones. The album delves into the complexities of navigating personal upheaval, including the finalization of her divorce from fellow musician Jason Isbell, the loss of her father and grandmother, and a recent car accident. Shires views the album not as an instruction manual, but as a “companion if you’re going through hard things”.
Amanda Shires: A Career of Artistic Evolution
Amanda Shires’s musical journey began at the age of 15 when she started playing fiddle with the legendary Texas Playboys. Over her career, she has released seven solo albums, with “Take It Like A Man” in 2022 receiving significant acclaim and landing on numerous “Best of” lists. She is also a founding member of the country supergroup The Highwomen, alongside Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby. Shires’s instrumental prowess extends beyond the fiddle, as she also plays tenor guitar and ukulele. Her songwriting has earned her an Emerging Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association in 2017.
The thematic core of “Nobody’s Girl” centers on Shires’s personal rebuilding and self-reliance, encapsulated in the album’s title. “‘Nobody’s Girl’ is what came after the wreckage, the silence, the rebuilding,” Shires explained. “It’s about standing in the aftermath of a life you thought would last forever and realizing no one is coming to save you.” This sentiment of belonging to oneself and possessing the inner strength to shape one’s life resonates throughout the album’s musical and lyrical landscape. The release of this new album signifies a significant chapter in Shires’s ongoing artistic exploration and her consistent contribution to contemporary music.
Fans can anticipate experiencing Shires’s new material live as she embarks on an extensive North American tour supporting Aly & AJ, commencing September 19th in Los Angeles. She is also scheduled to appear at the Americana Festival in Nashville and other venues throughout the fall.
