The album was recorded in Nashville
Bon Jovi guitarist Phil Xenidis (Phil X) has confirmed that the band is prepping to release a new album in 2024. Although details are scarce, he tells legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff during the latest episode of The Kenny Aronoff Sessions that the group recently finished recording the project.
“We just made a new record in Nashville. We were there for five weeks. I’m excited about it. I’m super excited about it.” Phil says. “We did pre-production in [New] Jersey earlier in the fall. It wasn’t [with] in-ear [monitors]. It was [drummer] Tico [Torres] on an electronic [drum] kit, and small amps and a PA and Jon played the songs for us and we just started jamming it. And there were a couple of instances where were all as a group collaborating, and I got flashbacks to watching an Eagles documentary where they were creating Hotel California.”
He says the album is different from the band’s previous records and is more rock-oriented.
“I’m always like, ‘I don’t think the guitars are loud enough on the last couple of Bon Jovi records,'” he says. “I think if the guitars are in the right space, then I’m gonna be — I’m gonna be proud of it regardless – but for other listeners, I want them to feel the guitars. ‘Cause it’s Bon Jovi, right? It’s a rock record, so I hope it gets that chance.”
He adds, “Jon is really excited about the record. I think the whole band is super excited about the record… Even though we did the 2020 record, we recorded the [music] beds live off the floor in the same studio [as 2020] — Ocean Way Nashville — this one just felt like, ‘Holy shit!'”
The group is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its debut, self-titled album with three special releases via Island/UMR. The releases officially kick off the Bon Jovi 40 campaign and are accompanied by various 1984-era merchandise and a 40th anniversary trailer.
This spring, fans can go inside the world of the band with the four-part docu-series, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, the first-ever to focus on the band’s history with full cooperation from all past and present members of Bon Jovi. Hulu has acquired the rights to the docu-series, produced by ROS, the banner of filmmaker Gotham Chopra.
The all-access series chronicling four decades of the iconic rock band Bon Jovi premieres Friday, April 26th on Hulu in the US and coming soon to Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories. Following one of the world’s most iconic bands and its frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, the documentary gives us a view of the music and the man.
Last fall, the band teamed with Hasbro for a Bon Jovi-branded version of Monopoly. The Hasbro-produced game includes six collectible tokens — 40th Anniversary Heart & Dagger logo, The Have a Nice Day Smirk Face, The Diamond Superman Logo, the band’s home state of New Jersey, the classic Skull logo, and Jon Bon Jovi’s Famous Acoustic Guitar.
This spring, NECA will release a seven-inch Jon Bon Jovi action figure. The posable collectible will feature Jon from the Slippery When Wet era complete with guitar and microphone.
Jon will also be honored as the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year for the 33rd annual Person of the Year benefit gala taking place ahead of the Grammys on February 2nd in Los Angeles. In addition to his extensive musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is being recognized for his impactful philanthropic work. Performers include Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Melissa Etheridge and others.
