Soulful vanguard Allen Stone‘s forthcoming record Building Balance will be released November 8th (ATO Records), taking his soul-stirring R&B and funk to the next artistic level. Allen continues to draw inspiration from ’70s funk and soul with current flexes, sitting amid D’Angelo in its sultrier moments, and Stevie Wonder at its most melodic. Also partially inspired by becoming a husband and father, the album features the most personal, lushly produced and gorgeously performed songs of Allen’s career.
Building Balance was largely written in a cabin in the woods of Washington state and partially recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville with three producers: the acclaimed British artist/producer Jaime Lidell, Grammy-winning producer Nasri, and Jeremy Most (Emily King). The album is a textured amalgam of R&B and soul, a result of several personal co-writing sessions, collaborations with Emily King, Mike Posner & Theo Katzman / Joey Dosik of Vulfpeck, and lyrics by Allen. Equal parts sentimental (“Brown Eyed Lover”, “Consider Me”) and replete with nostalgic funk (“Back to the Swing”, “Sweaters”), Allen’s third album shows an artist who has grown into his own and learned to balance and appreciate all parts of his life: the vices of the past and the gifts of the present, career and family, the brilliant highs and discouraging lows.
“The balance through the turmoil of strife and struggle is the best balance you can build because you’re growing, you’re strengthening, you’re utilizing muscles,” he says of the album. “If it was a cake walk then you’re not gonna fortify those tendons or that willpower.”
Today, he releases new single “Sunny Days”. The song is an R&B ode to euphoric love that features slick rap verses alongside Allen’s smooth delivery in his stunningly transformative upper range. Of “Sunny Days”, Allen says the track “is a feel good, throwback song about being confident in the love you have for another. Like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day the melody cools and comforts. There is no feeling more beautiful than trusting in love.“
Having just wrapped a summer tour with Train, Allen Stone will hit the road on October 23rd for a live 15-date karaoke tour of intimate rooms. He will perform songs from his catalog and classic karaoke staples with his fans, upfront and literally face-to-face.