Kendell Marvel Previews Dan Auerbach-Produced Album With Hard Time With the Truth

Over the course of his songwriting career, Kendell Marvel has spent time in the same rooms as many Nashville heavyweights, including Chris Stapleton (Either Way) and Jim Lauderdale (Twang). Even so, he had a rare moment of intimidation when he was working on his new album and producer Dan Auerbach scheduled a writing session with beloved neo-traditionalist John Anderson.

Hes right there at the top with Hank Jr. and Randy Travis for me, says Marvel. Hes got that big voice. I call him a drive-by singer he sounds like hes in a car going by when he sings. But he was so cool, it was like Id known him forever.

The three of them composed the song Hard Time With the Truth, which premieres today via Rolling Stone. Its the first release from Marvels upcoming album Solid Gold Sounds, which Auerbach (whos overseen recent country albums from Dee White and Yola) co-produced with Dave Ferguson. As with past projects, the Black Keys singer-guitarist employed the Easy Eye studio band of icons like drummer Gene Chrisman and pianist Bobby Wood to create a sound thats at once retro and totally contemporary.

Dan Auerbach on How the Black Keys Came BackDee White on Debut Album 'Southern Gentleman,' Working With Dan AuerbachEmmys 2019: 10 Biggest SnubsMarty Stuart on Making Ken Burns' 'Country Music'

Shadowy reverb and rumbling pianos augment the gentle-but-menacing vocals supplied by Marvel, singing from the perspective of a man whos haunted by his demons and unable to settle down. If Im being honest, its easier to lie/Than to go and break a promise/Go and make you cry, he sings.

Its quite a stylistic shift from the rowdy, in-your-face country rock of Marvels 2017 album Lowdown & Lonesome, but that was at least part of the point of working with someone like Auerbach.

I remember saying to Dan when we first starting working together, Have you listened to my album?' says Marvel. He was like, You dont want to make that record again, do you? Youve already made it. I was like, Hm, youve got a point. I want to do something completely different.'

Solid Gold Sounds will be released October 11th and features 10 new tracks, nine of which Marvel co-wrote. The album also features a cover of the Bee Gees Ive Gotta Get a Message to You.

Kendell Marvel Solid Gold Sounds track list: