Blues powerhouse Samantha Fish has announced a new album, Paper Doll, due out April 25th on Rounder Records and shared the first preview with lead single “Sweet Southern Sounds”.
Known for her soul-stirring live performances, which have earned her support slots opening for The Rolling Stones, Jon Spencer, Slash, and more, Fish said the new album, her first since 2023’s Grammy-nomiated Death Wish Blues, captures the raw, visceral energy of her live playing like never before.
“It’s taken me years to finally find my voice in a studio setting,” she admitted in a press release for the album. “But with this record, I took everything I had and slammed it right on the table.”
Produced by Detroit garage-rock legend Bobby Harlow (The Go) with assistance from fellow Detroit luminary Mick Collins (The Gories) on one track, Paper Doll features Fish’s touring bandmates Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys), who joined her at studios in Austin and Los Angeles—The Orb and Savannah Studios, respectively—amidst a grueling schedule of live shows.
“I’d never made a record on the road like that,” Fish explained. “Even though it was so intense, it felt good to keep up the momentum from the live show. It helped us make an album that’s got a real living, breathing pulse to it.”
With the release of “Sweet Southern Sounds”, which arrived on Valentine’s Day like a bluesy love letter from a wistful lover, Fish offers fans the first taste of the new album. The track starts out slow and steady, with a hint of melancholy, but gradually builds in intensity. By the end, Fish’s powerful vocals soar as the tempo accelerates, culminating in a wailing guitar solo brimming with attitude.
“It’s an anthem about being on the road and feeling guilty about not prioritizing the people in your life,” Fish said of the single. “It’s hard to find that balance between taking care of your relationships and dedicating yourself to your music, and there’s definitely a tinge of heartache to that song.”
Listen to “Sweet Southern Sounds” below, and pre-order/pre-save Paper Doll here.
Samantha Fish will perform across the U.S., U.K., and Europe throughout 2025, including shows with fellow blues torchbearer Chistone “Kingfish” Ingram. She will return to Jazz Fest in her adopted hometown of New Orleans and join Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marcus King, Kingfish, Zakk Wylde, and more to honor Jimi Hendrix on the Experience Hendrix Tour. Click below for a full list of her upcoming tour dates and head here for tickets.
Samantha Fish – “Sweet Southern Sounds”