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Jon Pardi unveiled long-awaited details about his fifth studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, on Friday (January 17). The first California-born country star to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry continues his signature style of fresh, modern twists on traditional country music. Pardi said he hopes the record will honor his home state as first responders have been battling devastating wildfires, particularly in the Los Angeles area.
Pardi, 39, teamed up with award-winning producer Jay Joyce for the first time on Honkytonk Hollywood. Pardi spent weeks in the recording studio, per a press release announcing the record, which kicks off with an “explosive” anthem and takes listeners on a journey with some tracks that “push boundaries even further sonically,” it states.
“All my albums have been rock and roll with a country flare – this one keeps on rockin’,” Pardi said in a statement. “It’s also the most grown-up record I’ve ever made, all my soul basically. ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’ is for the Nashville that’s in my blood and it’s also a nod to my California roots. And right now, more than ever, I hope it’s a way to honor and lift up the people of my home state.”
Pardi, who confirmed the album’s title while he responded to questions from fans on his Instagram story over the summer, debuted the title track on Friday. Before that, the sole release from the record was “Friday Night Heartbreaker,” an anthem written by Josh Miller, Chris Tompkins, Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross and Ryan Hurd. The “Friday Night Heartbreaker” music video, directed by Jim Wright and filmed in historic Printer’s Alley in Nashville, Tennessee, premiered earlier this month.
“I always enjoy filming with Jim Wright, even if it means being in Printer’s Alley until 2 AM,” Pardi said in a statement. “You really see some wild characters down there at that hour. One of my favorite parts of the shoot was chatting with the actors and actresses who performed the circus stunts—they were amazing! All I had to do was play guitar and drive a cool car while they were over there breathing fire and swallowing swords. It was awesome to watch it all come together!
“‘Friday Night Heartbreaker’ kicks down the door of this next musical chapter,” Pardi said in a previous statement via his record label. “I challenged myself to elevate in every aspect, and this is the tip of the spear for what’s to come. When I first heard the song, I knew instantly that I had to cut it… and what a journey it was recording alongside the professor Jay Joyce. I’m as excited as I have ever been to share new music.”
Honkytonk Hollywood will arrive on April 11. Listen to the title track here, and find the full track list below.
HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD Track List:
1. Boots Off
2. Friday Night Heartbreaker
3. She Gets to Drinking
4. Gambling Man
5. Hey California
6. Rush
7. She Drives Away
8. He Went to Work
9. Last Call Thing
10. Honkytonk Hollywood
11. Love The Lights Out
12. Nice Place to Visit
13. Hard Knocks
14. Don’t You Wanna Know
15. Bar Room Blue
16. Who I Don’t Wanna Be
17. Kinda Wanna Keep It That Way