Sturgill Simpson Welcomes New Era as Johnny Blue Skies; Announces New Album and US Tour

Goodbye, Sturgill Simpson. Hello, Johnny Blue Skies.

After fulfilling his promised five-album stint as the former, the reclusive singer-songwriter has traded in his government name for something more heavenly as he embarks on a new era with a new record in tow.

Titled Passage Du Desir, the eight-track collection is set to arrive on July
12, by way of his own independent label, High Top Mountain Records.

Upon the release of his 2021 album The Ballad of Dood and Juanita, the artist explained it would be "the last Sturgill record” in a Rolling Stone interview, hinting at a name and artistic change then.

“I always said there would be five [2013’s High Top Mountain, 2014’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, 2016’s A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, 2019’s Sound & Fury and 2021’s The Ballad of Dood and Juanita, barring his 2020 bluegrass projects, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 and Vol. 2.] and I wondered if I’d go back on that," he told the outlet. "But it really has cemented every step of the way how much I don’t want to carry all that weight. Going forward, I’d like to form a proper band with some people who I really love and respect musically, and be a part of something truly democratic in terms of creativity. Not having to stand up there behind my name would allow me to be even more vulnerable, in a way.”

He first debuted the Blue Skies moniker during his collaboration with Diplo and Dove Cameron on the 2023 released 'Use Me (Brutal Hearts).'

In another batch of exciting news, the musical phenom will be hitting the road on a sprawling U.S. trek. Titled the Why Not? Tour, Simpson will be kicking things off on September 14 in LA before weaving around the country through the end of November.

Passage Du Desir Track List:

1. 'Swamp of Sadness'
2. 'If The Sun Never Rises Again'
3. 'Scooter Blues'
4. 'Jupiter’s Faerie'
5. 'Who I Am'
6. 'Right Kind of Dream'
7. 'Mint Tea'
8. 'One for the Road'

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