New Single “Afterlife” Out Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2023
Toronto, ON – JUNO Award-winning rock act Sam Roberts Band, are excited to announce their highly-anticipated new album, The Adventures of Ben Blank, set to be released on October 20th via Known Accomplice / Cadence Music Group and all streaming platforms.
The Adventures of Ben Blank is a collection of 9 tracks including irresistible melodies, rich harmonies and insightful lyrics with the distinctive Sam Roberts Band sound. It was recorded at Giant Studio in Toronto, ON with production credits including Sam Roberts, Gus van Go and James Younger (Yukon Blonde.)
Blank is the narrator of Sam Roberts Band’s eighth full-length album, and he’s at once a familiar figure and an unknowable spectre —a man in a constant state of creation, simultaneously ancient and endlessly reborn.
The album is available for pre-order now and includes a standard black vinyl and a limited edition copper nugget-coloured vinyl version via the band’s website. Pre-order the album here. Enter to win a Sam Roberts Band merch bundle, including an autographed test pressing of the album and more here.
Today, the band released their newest song off the upcoming album, “Afterlife,” which effortlessly blends rock, alternative and indie elements. The centrepiece of the record is the stunning “Afterlife”, a middle finger raised at the prospect of death, in which Blank spits “I’ll get my kicks on this side of the Styx.” It’s a reminder of the momentousness of the moment, a bold refutation of the future—both a joyful and a painful reminder that this is all we have. Watch the visualizer for “Afterlife” here.
The album will also include the focus track, “The Ballad of Ben Blank,” which serves as the album’s stomping introduction, and the band’s most recent single “Picture of Love,” which peaked at #11 on the Canadian Alternative Rock charts. Written by Sam Roberts, “Picture of Love” is a refreshing dose of warmth with guitars effortlessly woven through an irresistible melody.
With over 125 million career streams to date, Sam Roberts Band maintains their tradition of delivering chart-topping singles, consistently surpassing expectations with their music.
The Adventures of Ben Blank will be the band’s first new album since 2020’s All of Us. The album garnered critical praise and achieved notable recognition, including a JUNO nomination for Rock Album of the Year and being listed among the top 10 highest-rated albums of that year by Uncut Magazine.
Born in Montreal, Sam Roberts had been a violin player, surrounded by a vast range of musical influences, who eventually moved on to guitar and started a rock band with friends. The Inhuman Condition became the best-selling independent EP in Canadian history and included a re-recorded version of “Brother Down” and the chart topper “Don’t Walk Away Eileen”. In 2003 he released his first full-length album, We Were Born in a Flame. This year marks the 20-year anniversary for the Double-Platinum certified album, which was a huge hit in Canada and won JUNO Awards for Album of the Year, Rock Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year.
Roberts has since continued to release hit Platinum and Gold-certified albums, winning awards across the board and landing once of a lifetime performance opportunities such as at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
In addition to the new album, the band are also gearing up to head out on tour in 2024. Fans can still see the band perform live at select venues this summer.
The Adventures Of Ben Blank Tracklisting
1. Ballad Of Ben Blank
2. I Dream Of You
3. Projection
4. Cascades
5. Picture Of Love
6. Afterlife
7. Everybody Needs Love
8. Bad Country
9. If Only
