Jason Isbell Says His Forthcoming Album May Make Fans Want to … Dance?

After recently releasing a mysterious teaser on social media, Jason Isbell has announced that he is almost finished with his next album -- and, he says, the new music may invoke a different sort of reaction from fans.

Isbell recorded the follow-up to 2015's Something More Than Free in January, during a two-week session with his longtime producer, Dave Cobb, at RCA Studio A, Rolling Stone reports. The project will feature Isbell's masterfully introspective songwriting at its core, but it will also bring the singer's powerhouse band, the 400 Unit, front and center.

"Lyrics and melody are still the driving force behind what we're doing, but this time around, there's more of a rock 'n' roll influence," Isbell says. "You might shed some tears, but for once, there's a chance you might also dance a little."

Isbell's decision to take his latest record down a rock road is a definite departure from the classic Americana-folk sound that has grounded his previous albums, but it's one that felt natural to the "24 Frames" singer. Isbell says that the album is "topical, current, a record of time passed;" in that sense, it will perfectly complement his past offerings of relevant and universal recordings.

Isbell and the 400 Unit have yet to debut any of the new songs from the upcoming record, and a release date and other details haven't been announced, but with a string of tour dates on the horizon, it's a good bet that fans will be able to get a peek at the new material during a live show.

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