Rock legend Bruce Springsteen has surprised fans with the announcement of a previously unreleased country album, recorded nearly 30 years ago. Titled Somewhere North of Nashville, the album is set for official release on June 27. The first single, “Repo Man,” is already available and showcases a twangy, high-energy sound that echoes the style of 1990s country music. Fans have praised the track for blending classic country elements with Springsteen’s distinctive voice.
Although the album is new to the public, Springsteen actually recorded it in 1995. In a statement shared by The Tennessean, he revealed that the country songs were written during the same period as his 1995 album The Ghost of Tom Joad. He explained that the recording sessions for both projects often overlapped. “What happened was I wrote all these country songs at the same time I wrote The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Springsteen said. “There were days when I was working on both albums.”
Springsteen also shared why he explored a different genre. While The Ghost of Tom Joad was focused on socially conscious themes, he said other musical influences were also present. “At the same time, I had this country streak running through those sessions,” he said. “And I ended up making a country record on the side.”
The country album is just the beginning of what promises to be a major rollout of unreleased material. Somewhere North of Nashville is part of a larger project titled Tracks II: The Lost Albums, a box set that will include seven never-before-heard albums from various periods in Springsteen’s career.
In addition to the country album, the collection will feature songs from his Streets of Philadelphia sessions and the 1983 L.A. garage recordings. Longtime fans are expected to be especially excited by these deep cuts, which shed light on different eras of Springsteen’s creative journey.
With this release, Springsteen once again proves his versatility as an artist, moving seamlessly between genres while offering fans a rare glimpse into his musical archive.
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