Craig Finn has announced the forthcoming release of his fifth solo album, A Legacy of Rentals, via Positive Jams/ Thirsty Tigers, due out on May 20. The Hold Steady frontman has also shared the first song off the LP, “Messing With The Setting.” 

The 10-track album was written throughout 2020 and sees Finn contemplating the line between song and storytelling. A Legacy of Rentals features contributions by saxophonist Stuart Bogie as well as vocalists Cassandra Jenkins and Annie Nero, drummer Joe Russo, bassist Michael Libramento, and a 14-piece string section arranged by Trey Pollard.

“Memory is a major theme through A Legacy of Rentals,” shared Finn, “and I wanted to be the first song on the record to open on that note. This song is literally a eulogy, Ut’s delivered by someone who has lost touch with the recently deceased but still finds them important. Musically, it really explores the line between talking and singing, which was something we leaned into on this record.” 

Listen to “Messing With The Settings” now. 

Pre-order/ pre-save A Legacy of Rentals here. 

Watch the album trailer below.

Tracklist:

  1. Messing With The Settings 
  2. The Amarillo Kid 
  3. Birthdays 
  4. The Year We Fell Behind 
  5. Due To Depart 
  6. Curtis & Shepard 
  7. Never Any Horses
  8. Jessamine 
  9. A Break From The Barrage 
  10. This Is What It Looks Like