The Gaslight Anthem‘s Brian Fallon has announced new album ‘Not Bad For New Jersey’, and it features guest appearances from Brandon Flowers, Def Leppard’s Phil Collen and Marc Ribot. Check out new single ‘Pearls’ below.
Set for release on September 10, the upcoming album marks the first solo release from Fallon in more than five years, and is set to include his two previously released singles ‘Better Before’ and the title track.
Released on his own Lesser Known Records, ‘Not Bad For New Jersey’ is a blend of driving rock and infectious pop and was tracked mostly live in a series of freewheeling sessions with producer and longtime collaborator Butch Walker, alongside drummer Eric Slick.
Across the 11-tracks, Fallon introduces a variety of special guests, including The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, avant-garde guitar legend Marc Ribot, and Grammy-winning country artist Lori McKenna.
“From the beginning I knew I had to fully lean into the passion and lunacy of all these songs I felt inspired by – there wasn’t much room for subtlety,” he said, citing Bryan Adams’ ‘Run to You’ and The Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ as key touchstones.
“There was so much childlike joy in writing and recording all these songs. The whole album came together so naturally, with a level of creative fulfilment I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.”
Today (Friday June 12), the singer has dropped another single from the record, the heavy-hearted ‘Pearls’.
The song captures a weighty, yet triumphant feel throughout, and is addressed to those born into privileged circumstances.
“I’ve never been one to resent anybody for having certain advantages in life, and I don’t think there’s anything inherently pure in having to struggle,” Fallon said of the inspiration for the single. “But I do think there’s real value in overcoming the odds stacked against you, because getting to the point of feeling like you’re actually worth something is one of the toughest mountains to climb.”
The theme aligns with the message of ‘Better Before’ which explored an unravelling romance, and also fits in with the message of the title track, which looked back at Fallon’s roots and how it influenced him as an artist.
“‘Not Bad for New Jersey’ is my way of celebrating what I do and where I’m from,” he said of that track. “I wrote that song looking back on my life the way you do after almost ending up in a crash – like, ‘How did I make it through that?’ I really could’ve busted myself open somewhere along the way, but somehow I’m still here and I’m still in one piece.”
The record is out on streaming on September 10, and available in physical formats from September 11. Visit here to pre-order.
Fallon and his band The Painkillers will play some live shows to celebrate the release – starting on Sunday June 14 in New Jersey, and continuing with gigs in Tennessee, California and Illinois across the rest of the month.
Support for the headline dates comes from Emily Wolfe, and in September, Fallon will make a festival appearance at Riot Fest 2026. Visit here for tickets.
Brian Fallon & The Painkillers 2026 live shows are:
JUNE
14 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony
16 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
20 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour
22 – Chicago, IL – Reggies’ Rock Club
SEPTEMBER
18-20 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest 2026
In 2023, Fallon spoke to NME as part of our Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! series, and put his memory to the test when asked tricky questions about his career.
At one point, he correctly recalled which The Gaslight Anthem song The Killers covered in New York back in 2017.
“‘American Slang’,” he answered, sharing his fondness for the frontman. “It was a good version, and I was excited ‘cause I really like The Killers. I know Brandon Flowers a little bit. We text mostly about Depeche Mode – we’re both big fans.”
Earlier this year, Fallon joined forces with Fender to release a limited edition custom guitar, which is a recreation of Fallon’s Telecaster from his early days as a touring musician.
As for The Gaslight Anthem, the New Jersey rockers released their sixth studio album ‘History Books’ in 2023, and Bruce Springsteen appeared on that record’s title track.
The two artists had collaborated several times before that, with the Boss even joining them during their set at Glastonbury 2009.