By Brent Thompson

On Friday, October 2, Drive-By Truckers will release The New OK [ATO Records], the band’s second 2020 release and its 13th overall studio album. The album’s title is taken from the phrase, “I’m OK – the new OK,” a phrase vocalist/guitarist Patterson Hood found himself repeating throughout 2020. In a year that found the Truckers’ touring plans derailed by COVID – while combating anger and depression over the country’s well-documented turmoil – Hood and company have turned these raw emotions into nine songs. Produced by David Barbe (DBT, Amy Ray, k.d. lang), The New OK was recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Service in Memphis. In addition to a large dose of Hood compositions, guitarist/vocalist Mike Cooley contributes the song “Sarah’s Flame” and bassist Matt Patton shines on a cover of The Ramones’ “The KKK Took My Baby Away.” A horn section rounds out the band’s sound on two tracks, “Sea Island Lonely” and “Tough To Let Go.” In a challenging year for all of us, this surprise release is a helpful cure for the 2020 blues.