Warren Haynes has shared the first preview of his forthcoming album with Warren Haynes Band, Million Voices Whisper, with the album’s first single, “This Life As We Know It”.
The song conveys a sense of renewal and resilience, capturing the emotional journey of overcoming challenges and emerging stronger. It blends vivid imagery with an expansive yet lighthearted Southern gospel rock sound centered around Haynes’ soulful vocals and expressive slide guitar.
“There’s a full moon on the Fourth of July / Lighting up a Montauk sky / Impaling the night like a burning ember / I ain’t felt this way in so long I can’t remember,” Haynes begins. He goes on to sing, “Ain’t it good to be alive / And to know that we survived / Came out on the other side / A little stronger / Yeah, we’re stronger, stronger.”
“It has a very uplifting message and musically, as well, it is just a very positive feeling song. One that I feel we can all relate to,” Haynes said of the song. “It’s about moving forward and getting past a lot of things but feeling good about life and feeling good about yourself.”
To accompany the single, which is available now on digital platforms, Haynes shared a video that gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process, from tracking the tune with John Medeski on keys, Terence Higgins on drums, and Kevin Scott on bass, to overdubbing Saundra Williams‘ background vocals, which supply an added layer of richness.
In addition to those featured in the video, the album will feature contributions from Haynes’ Last Waltz Tour partners Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson and his first studio collaboration with Derek Trucks since touring together with the Allman Brothers Band, on a song that was initially co-written with Gregg Allman before he passed away in 2017. Trucks and Haynes also connect on a new recording of their joint composition “Back Where I Started”, which is one of four bonus tracks included on the deluxe CD version of the album. Another features the power trio of Haynes, Nelson, and Johnson covering Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young‘s “Find The Cost of Freedom” into an extended version of “Day of Reckoning”. Click below to view the full tracklist. Click here to pre-order and pre-save the album.
“It felt great to go into the studio to capture this material with this new band who are all fantastic players,” Haynes said. “This album is quite different than my previous solo records. There’s a lot of soul music influence but very song oriented with subtle nods to a few of my heroes. And what a treat to get back into the studio with my brother Derek. Big shoutout to him as well as Lukas and Jamey for being a part of it. I’m really proud of this new album.”
Click here to pre-order and pre-save Million Voices Whisper. The album is due out in its entirety November 1st. By then, Warren Haynes Band will be in the midst of its Million Voices Whisper Tour, which kicks off September 19th. The run will feature saxophonist Greg Osby in addition to Medeski, Higgins, Scott, and Haynes.
Prior to embarking on the Million Voices Whisper Tour, Haynes will resume his Now Is The Time Tour featuring The Warren Haynes Band & The Dreams and Songs Symphonic Experienceon September 10th at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with the Colorado Symphony. Following the band’s tour, he will head to L.A.’s Kia Forum on October 17th for Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson. For a full list of dates and ticketing details, visit Haynes’ website.
Warren Haynes – “This Life As We Know It”