After moving from the Sunshine State to a small town in New Mexico, the time esteemed rock vocalist Stephen Christian spent in that town had a profound effect on him that remains with him to this day. That’s why, even after returning back to Florida, Christian has decided to pay tribute to New Mexico on the fifth Anchor & Braille full-length, which is not only named after the state, but whose 14 tracks capture its heart and soul. Just by listening to it, you can tell much of a cherished place it remains for the songwriter. NEW MEXICO is due July 25 via Equal Vision Records.
“I have not had more fun songwriting for a record, perhaps in my life,” Christian shares, and continues, “It was just so much fun to create. These songs are all internal dialogs I've had with myself, where I'm trying to figure out how I can help someone if they're having the same thoughts or the same anxiety or the same worries. Because if they are, hopefully, they can find a little bit of solace in this music. It’s supposed to be a full-on immersive experience. I want people to explore this place and help them feel at home, no matter where they are.”
In addition to the album announcement, Anchor & Braille released the first single off the upcoming record, “Sweet Jesus Knows”, a raw, electric journey that dives into the chaos of fleeting moments and high-stakes connections. With lyrics like “We only kill when we need / We only eat what we kill,” Christen intended to capture the pulse of living for the thrill, where every second feels like a gamble. The melodies and driving rhythms carry the weight of those questions we all wrestle with—where will we land, and who’s with us when the dust settles?
“SWEET JESUS KNOWS”
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NEW MEXICO tracklist:
1. Drive
2. Sweet Jesus Knows
3. Stones
4. Corrales
5. Rattlesnake
6. Sozo
7. Slow Burn
8. Real Life
9. Time Is Cruel
10. Sozo Dos
11. The Weight Of 1917
12. Backlands
13. Uninvited
14. Sozo Tres
NEW MEXICO is Christian leaving his past behind by immersing himself in it, both physically and emotionally. It’s an album that looks back as it steps forward, and which sees Christian reconcile the two as he relives his memories from there and then in the here and now. Doing so not only helped him in his personal journey of healing, but also gave him one of the most rewarding recording experiences of his career.
Anchor & Braille is Stephen Christian.