Free Nationals Release Self-Titled Debut Album [Stream]

Free Nationals, best known for being the backing band for Anderson .Paak, released their self-titled, debut album on streaming platforms Friday.

The band has been steadily releasing singles over the past year from Free Nationals, including “Beauty & Essex” which featured Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. This was followed by “Time” with special guests Kali Uchis and Mac Miller; “On Sight” with J.I.D., Kadhja Bonet, and MIKKNA; the recent single “Shibuya” featuring Syd; and the latest live premiere of “Gidget” featuring Anderson .Paak on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The star-studded LP also features guest appearances from Shafiq Husayn, Benny Sings, T.Nava, Callum Cooper, Conway, Westside Gunn, and Joyce Rice.

The band has noted on social media that the reason it took so long for the album to debut is due to their demanding touring schedule backing .Paak, an obligation that has taken the band across Australia, Europe, and the United States over the past year. Guitarist Jose Rios addressed the task of balancing recording the album with their schedule in a recent interview with Isolated Nation.

“The things we’re doing, it aint gonna be easy,” Rios said. “We’ve had some trying times, we’ve had some issues with just being too busy. We’re trying to do this at the same time Anderson is putting out two records, there was a lot things that slow us down. We couldn’t record for a while. But like I say man, nothing in this world is worth doing if you don’t go through something. We had to go through some hurdles man, we persevered.”

Anderson .Paak and the Free National’s only upcoming concert will be at 4xFar Music & Adventure Festival in Coachella Valley, CA January 18th. Tickets are available here.

Stream Free National’s debut album Free Nationals below.

Free Nationals – Free Nationals – Full Album