New Music From Souled American

Founded in Chicago in late 1986, Souled American played alternative country before that term existed, slowcore before that term existed, and ambient Americana (a term that never existed). Between 1988 and 1995, the band released six records. Their style evolved from alt-country precursor to an ambient Americana that one critic termed “trance roots.” Though they received little attention at the time, their influence hung in the atmosphere of bands as diverse as Cracker, Califone, the Mountain Goats, and the Fruit Bats. Recent write-ups in Uncut Magazine (April 2025) and on NPR.com (June 2023), as well as lengthy raves in new books by Jeff Tweedy (World Within a Song), Mark Guarino (Country Midwestern), and Ira A. Robbins (Music in a Word: Volume 3) testify to the continued affection and admiration stirred by these old recordings.

Now, Souled American return after thirty years with a work of immediate relevance. Arriving just in time, with decency roundly mocked, as dissent spells career disaster and algorithms isolate us into units of convenience, Sanctions – out April 17, 2026 – dares explore roots and traditions in both sound and consequence, revealing a band that has lost members but gained gravity. Acclaimed by Jeff Tweedy, The Jayhawks, John Darnielle, and Counting Crows, Souled American here elevate their unique style of ambient Americana into a life-altering experience full of feeling and drama, like some ink-stamped elegy fresh off the printing presses of Walt Whitman. According to Stereogum, advance single “Boom Boom” is “a rootsy dirge that reveals how much these guys influenced Chicago peers like Califone and Wilco.” The song is at radio now!

“Chicago country cult legends Souled American have been laying down their unique, bleary-eyed brand of twangy rock since the mid-’80s.” – Brooklyn Vegan

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Label: Jealous Butcher Records