Today, June 29, Robert Finley has announced the Oct. 27 release of his fourth studio album, Black Bayou, via Easy Eye Records. The fresh set finds the musician working alongside The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, who produced and assisted on the collection. Along with news of a full-length release, Finley previewed his impending project by sharing the first single, “What Goes Around (Comes Around).” Listen here. 

Black Bayou presents listeners with a sonic portrait of the artist’s home state, Louisiana, the region which formed the man behind the lyrics. A mix of gospel, blues, rock-and-roll, and more permeates the 11-song tracking list to depict the artist’s experience, steeped in a geographic interplay. “It’s amazing to realize how much of an impact Louisiana has had on the world’s music,” offered Auerbach via press release. 

“And Robert embodies all of that. He can play a blues song. He can play early rock and roll. He can play gospel. He can do anything, and a lot of that has to do with where he’s from,” the producer continued. The new collection marks the fourth time Auerbach and Finley have collaborated, although they did things a little differently for their latest delivery. Rather than write songs beforehand, the pair devised everything in the studio. 

Along with Auerbach, Patrick Carney (The Black Keys), Jeffrey Clemens (G. Love & Special Sauce), bassist Eric Deaton, and legendary Hill Country blues guitarist Kenny Brown along with vocalists Christy Johnson and LaQuindrelyn McMahon–Finley’s daughter and granddaughter–devised their parts spontaneously. “I started singing, and they started playing,” Finley explains. “That’s how we made the album. It wasn’t written out. Nobody used a pencil and paper. We just sang and played together in the studio.”  

On the topic of today’s single release, the artist also offered: You gotta reap what you sow… do to another what you would have done to you. Be real, tell the truth. For all those out there hurting, you just have to keep the faith. I’ve seen it over the years, especially with my career – you got to put joy out into the world and it will come back. It’s never been anything short of the truth for me.” Watch the single’s visual equalizer below. 

Pre-order Black Bayou and stream “What Goes Around (Comes Around)” here. 

Tracklist

01. Livin’ Out A Suitcase

02. Sneakin’ Around

03. Miss Kitty

04. Waste Of Time

05. Can’t Blame Me For Trying

06. Gospel Blues

07. Nobody Wants To Be Lonely

08. What Goes Around (Comes Around)

09. Lucky Day

10. You Got It (And I Need It)

11. Alligator Bait