Dierks Bentley has announced that he will release his latest album, Black, on vinyl on August 12th. To celebrate, Bentley will make an in store appearance at Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis for a signing and intimate performance, just hours before he takes the stage across town during a stop on his 2016 Somewhere On A Beach Tour.
Named one of Rolling Stone’s “Best Country Albums of 2016,” Bentley’s most personal record yet has already delivered a one-two punch of critical and commercial muscle with the multi-week No. one smash of the summer “Somewhere On A Beach,” and the provocative and vulnerable “Different For Girls,” featuring two time Grammy nominated friend Elle King.
“When we created this album, I kept imagining the flow of this record being told with an ‘A’ side and ‘B’ side,” states Bentley. “We’ve released vinyl before, but I’ve never had the chance to really master it properly and didn’t really put the time in before that it deserved. With Black, every little detail has mattered to me…Sterling Sound in New York really gave the mix a warmth that you don’t hear on mp3 or CD, and I can’t wait for fans to hear the whole album this way.”
In May, Bentley visited New York City’s renowned Sterling Sound as the album began its first pressing with owner Ryan Smith. Get a behind-the-scenes look with American Songwriter below.
In addition to its commercial success landing on Neilsen’s 2016 Mid-Year Top Selling Country Albums list after only four weeks in stores, Black simultaneously continues to receive critical acclaim.
“It’s a trick Bentley manages again and again on Black, expertly weaving styles and storytelling tricks to build memorable tales to sing along with.” – Newsday
“Bentley has excelled throughout his career at combining recognizable elements of the country tradition with his own take on the form.” – The Boston Globe
“He’s made a habit of pushing himself out of his comfort zone and looking for ways to evolve and grow with each album.” – Herald Tribune
“Hits on some heavy-duty life topics, moving well beyond aircraft intoxication to explore infidelity, nasty breakups, and the kind of drinking nobody wants to raise their glass to.” – SPIN
“His songwriting has a deeply introspective side…this latest record, Black, is a concept album that tracks a young relationship through its peaks and valleys.” – The Guardian
“An abstract meditation on loneliness that leads to self-awareness and redemption.” – USA Today
With a “reputation as one of the hardest-working entertainers in country music” (Music Row), Black debuted at the No. one position on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart and Top Country Albums chart. On the heels of 14 No. one hits, Bentley’s “Different For Girls” with Elle King is currently climbing the Top 20 on the Country radio charts. “The bluegrass picker, the love song singer and the stadium rocker all packaged together” (Associated Press) recently extended his 2016 Somewhere On A Beach through October.
