Kurt Vile And The Violators

w/ Ryan Davis + The Roadhouse Band

Released in God’s year of 2026, the 250th anniversary of the founding of America in Kurt Vile’s fine city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s been good to me finds one of our nation’s greatest songwriters staking a claim on his hometown. “This is my ‘bringing it all back home to Philly’ record,” Vile says. “I’m treating it like my last one. I put everything into it. It’s my best vocal record. It’s my best electric guitar record. It’s my most organic record, made in the comfort of my own zone.”

Largely self-produced, with assists from Adam Langellotti, keys wiz Matthew Jugenheimer, drummer Kyle Spence, guitarist Jesse Trbovrich, and longtime Violators boardsman Rob Schnapf, the record embodies Vile’s understanding of music as a conversation between people across time and space. The title track is an ode to his hometown that doubles as an homage to Tom Petty’s homage to California. The barn-burning “Chance to Bleed” features guest spots from Memphis OGs Natalie Hoffman and Greg Cartwright but boasts a music video proudly shot at the Philly venue Kung Fu Necktime and features a cameo by local legend Schoolly D. “You Don’t Know Cuz It’s My Life” is Kurt’s take on a stadium anthem, building up to a laid-back yet triumphant chant of “I’m from Phil-a-del-phiaaaaaaah!” that you can imagine a crowd of Eagles fans screaming along to, Twisted Teas pointed towards the heavens.