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Jess Williamson announces new album A Mile South of Heaven
Developed over time first seen 4 months ago
Texan singer-songwriter Jess Williamson has announced her new album, A Mile South of Heaven, which is due for release on 9 October via New West. The record follows her 2023 album Time Ain’t Accidental and was produced by Shooter Jennings at Sunset Sound in Hollywood. The announcement matters as it sets up Williamson’s next full-length release and introduces its themes of ambition, place and personal perspective.
The lead single, “Goodbye to All That”, arrives with a mini road-movie video and takes its title from Joan Didion’s essay about leaving New York. Williamson said she wrote the song in what she thought was her final year in Los Angeles, intending it as a farewell, but the writing process made her realise she was not ready to leave. The 12-track album includes songs such as “High Heels and Blue Jeans”, “Dark Day in Dallas” and “The Gem and Mineral Show”, while Williamson has described the title as reflecting the idea that being “a mile south of heaven” can feel either sad or hopeful, depending on one’s outlook.
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In short
- Jess Williamson’s new album arrives on 9 October.
- Lead single reflects her shifting feelings about Los Angeles.
- Album title centres on perspective and imperfect progress.
How this story developed
- 4 months ago Another update restored “Country Mile” in the cited tracklisting instead of “High Heels and Blue Jeans” and returned to the interpretation of the title as valuing how far one has come rather than fixating on an impossible destination.
- 4 months ago A later report revised the background to say the album follows Williamson’s 2023 record Time Ain’t Accidental rather than a 2024 release, added “High Heels and Blue Jeans” to the tracklist details, and recast the title as suggesting either sadness or hope according to perspective.
- 4 months ago Jess Williamson announced that her new album, A Mile South of Heaven, will be released on 9 October through New West Records, alongside the road-trip-style lead single “Goodbye to All That”, which she said began as a farewell to Los Angeles before she reconsidered leaving.
- Stereogum Jess Williamson Announces New Album A Mile South Of Heaven: Hear “Goodbye To All That”
- Clash Jess Williamson Announces Shooter Jennings Produced LP ‘A Mile South Of Heaven’
- Brooklyn Vegan Jess Williamson announces new album, shares “Goodbye to All That”
- Pitchfork Jess Williamson announces new album A Mile South of Heaven
Explained simply
Los Angeles and Texas have long featured in Jess Williamson's music, and her work often draws on personal experience and a sense of place. She built her name as a singer-songwriter within Americana and folk-influenced circles, releasing several albums before her 2023 record Time Ain't Accidental.
Williamson is also known for Plains, her collaborative project with fellow musician Waxahatchee, though this new release is a solo effort. New West, the label putting out the album, works with a number of artists in similar roots-influenced genres.
Album announcements like this typically mark the start of a promotional cycle, with singles and details released ahead of the full record, giving fans and listeners early insight into its sound and themes before its official release.
Coverage · 4 sources
- PitchforkJess Williamson announces new album A Mile South of Heaven
- StereogumJess Williamson Announces New Album A Mile South Of Heaven: Hear “Goodbye To All That”
- ClashJess Williamson Announces Shooter Jennings Produced LP ‘A Mile South Of Heaven’
- Brooklyn VeganJess Williamson announces new album, shares “Goodbye to All That”
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Pitchfork as “Jess Williamson Readies New Album A Mile South of Heaven”.