JIMMY BARNES will release his new album, Defiant, on June 6, 2025 via Mushroom Records. About the title, Barnes said "It's no secret that this has caused me some problems over the years, but I've finally learned how to turn my stubborn Scottish streak into something positive – something that helps me survive. I didn't set out to do it deliberately, but now that the album is finished, I can see there's a recurring theme about the satisfaction you can get from fighting back. That's why it's called Defiant
Aussie rock legend JIMMY BARNES release today his 21st solo studio album “Defiant“, just one day before launching a national tour across Australia. Out now via Mushroom Music, “Defiant” arrives after a difficult period for Barnes, who has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years, including a life-threatening heart operation.
Despite the challenges, the Cold Chisel frontman new 10-track set carries a message of resilience. But what we really didn’t expected from Barnes is an album so Melodic Rock oriented. And with this bite.
Indeed, “Defiant” rocks, really rocks, with melodic yet sharp guitar riffs, and Jimmy vocally on fire. And dude, there’s some very good songs here. Forget the 69-year old man picture with a serene look on the cover art – Barnes is back with a rock n’ roll attitude in “Defiant”.
Since the brilliant opener ‘That’s What You Do For Love’, which is a really tip of the hat to classic tracks like ‘Driving Wheels’, this new album capture that anthemic sound Barnes brought to his early solo work. Add that to the fact guest appearances from Journey’s Jonathan Cain (who penned Working Class Man) and Black Country Communion’s Joe Bonamassa & Jason Bonham bless this album starter and you can hear for yourselves the impact it strikes.
Next track ‘New Day’ is a wonderful melodic rock tune with a true Eighties feel, plus uplifting lyrics too. Another highlight should be ‘Never Stop Loving You’ – with is simplistic opening with distant guitar and thumping bass line warming the path for Barnes to lead us in with his crisp clean vocals. “Even when its tough, you always shine your light, I’ll never stop loving you.” But its the second verse when things really start to build, snare drum and harmonies, with Jimmy now picking up the pace vocally, and letting us begin to hear the emotion this song must pull for him personally. Before you know it the chilled beginning has enveloped you into this foot tapping banger of a track! And the guitar work from Audley Freed is simply sublime. Sheer brilliance.
There are elements of Americana, blues & roots on here to, giving the album a nice diverse feel and which makes total sense with the fact that many of the songs were recorded out in Nashville; ‘Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don’t’ opens with those country tones before slipping into a real Rolling Stones feel.
‘The Long Road’ plays us into that same vibe but with more of a chain gang blues n’ roots feel, before dropping a shoulder and feigning right to hit us with a driving rocky chorus.
The nearest we get to a ballad would have to be album closer ‘Sea of Love’ but even then we still find it has a real swing to it, and one that just makes you want to sway and click your fingers. It is a real nod to those wonderful songs of yesteryear (and even has a classic key change midway!) that takes you back to Barnes’ 1991 album ‘Soul Deep’.
Produced by Kevin ‘Caveman’ Shirley and featuring a host of wonderful musicians, ‘Defiant’ once again highlights the fact that Jimmy Barnes still has plenty to write & sing about and judging by the recent Cold Chisel 50th anniversary shows, those bionic hips have plenty more stage miles to tread yet and I for one will be front and centre to enjoy it!
Highly Recommended
1 That's What You Do For Love
2 New Day
3 Beyond The River Bend
4 Never Stop Loving You
5 Defiant
6 The Long Road
7 Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don't
8 Dig Deep
9 Nothing Comes For Nothing
10 Sea Of Love
Jimmy Barnes – Defiant 2025, MP3+FLAC
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