Bluegrass trailblazer Billy Strings is back with Highway Prayers, his first solo studio release since 2021’s critically acclaimed Renewal. Following his collaborative father-son album Me/And/Dad in 2022, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter returns to the solo spotlight with a 20-track album that once again looks to expand the limits of modern bluegrass as he always does. Co-produced by Strings and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Mac Miller, Aimee Mann), Highway Prayers is another showcase of Strings’ relentless creativity and wide-ranging vision.

Lead single “Leadfoot,” written by Strings, has already made waves. Featuring the musician's multi-instrumental talents - he takes on vocals, banjo, bass, steel guitar, EBow electric guitar, and even a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle - alongside Matt Chamberlain on drums, the song showcases the crazy level of virtuosity fans have come to expect from him. With its unending drive and complex playing, “Leadfoot” captures everything that Highway Prayers has to offer, an album that blends traditional bluegrass roots with a modern, expansive sound.

Recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, Highway Prayers sees Strings reuniting with his trusted bandmates Billy Failing (banjo, vocals), Royal Masat (bass, vocals), Jarrod Walker (mandolin, vocals), and Alex Hargraves (fiddle). Together, they form the core of a group that never fails to deliver the intricate string work and dynamic rhythms that have come to define Strings’ sound.

But Strings didn’t stop with his band. The album features an all-star lineup of guests, including bluegrass legends like Jerry Douglas on dobro and Jason Carter on fiddle, as well as the rich vocal harmonies of Lindsay Lou and Taneka Samone. Jon Brion himself contributed bass, drums, and percussion, while musicians like Nathaniel Smith (cello), Cory Henry (piano), Peter “Madcat” Ruth (harmonica, jaw harp), and Victor Furtado (clawhammer banjo) add layer upon layer of texture to the already wide sonic palette.

With Highway Prayers, Billy Strings sets the stage for what could be his most ambitious album yet. Always known to transcend bluegrass boundaries, Strings continues to blend traditional Appalachian sounds with elements of rock, folk, and Americana. This is an album that manages to be both timeless and entirely contemporary, tapping into the emotional depth and storytelling that’s long been a hallmark of American roots music. Highway Prayers offers a glimpse into the next chapter of Billy Strings’ story, which he refuses to stop writing. Buckle up for this one, it’s going to be a wild ride down the highways of American music.