British blues-rock powerhouse Joanne Shaw Taylor continues to build anticipation for her forthcoming album Black & Gold with the release of her latest single, “Hell Of A Good Time”—an energetic, hard-hitting track that blends her signature fiery guitar work with infectious rock & roll swagger. The song delivers a raucous, no-holds-barred performance while carrying a deeper reflection on the fleeting nature of excess and escape.
“Hell Of A Good Time” is a song about how sometimes a party isn’t really a party at all,” Joanne explains. “How drinking to excess and always being the life and soul of the party is usually one person’s way of running away from themselves. Unfortunately, that lifestyle can’t last forever and usually ends up not being a lot of fun.”
With lyrics like “Rolling through town, I’ll burn it down just like wildfire / Singing and sinning, I like living like a live wire,” Joanne captures the exhilarating highs and inevitable lows of living on the edge. Driven by pulsating rhythms, blistering guitar riffs, and anthemic choruses, “Hell Of A Good Time” showcases Joanne at her most uninhibited, bringing an electrifying energy to the Black & Gold track list.
Set for release on June 13th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records, Black & Gold pushes the boundaries of blues-rock, weaving in elements of Americana, indie rock, and retro ‘80s pop to create a sound that is as expansive as it is deeply personal. The album explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the complexities of human connection, balancing raw vulnerability with bold, fearless innovation.
“Hell Of A Good Time” follows an impressive line-up of recent singles, each offering a unique glimpse into the album’s depth and range. Her latest, “Grayer Shade of Blue,” explores a once close friendship that ended abruptly. “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now” delved into themes of grief and healing, while “I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down” delivered a powerful statement on self-worth and breaking toxic cycles. The deeply reflective “Grayer Shade Of Blue” explored the bittersweet emotions of moving on from a past relationship, adding another layer of emotional depth to the album. Earlier tracks like “All The Things I Said” and Joanne’s soul-stirring cover of Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” further demonstrate the album’s dynamic storytelling and genre-defying spirit.
Joanne’s ability to seamlessly fuse deeply personal narratives with hard-hitting blues-rock anthems has solidified her status as one of the most innovative voices in modern blues. Praised by legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox and backed by Kevin Shirley’s masterful production, Black & Gold promises to be a career-defining release that cements Joanne’s place at the forefront of the genre.
‘Black & Gold’ by Joanne Shaw Taylor
1. Hold Of My Heart
2. All The Things I Said
3. Black & Gold
4. Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?
5. I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down
6. Summer Love
7. Grayer Shade Of Blue
8. Hell Of A Good Time
9. Look What I’ve Become
10. What Are You Gonna Do Now?
11. Love Lives Here
Joanne’s prolific creativity and relentless evolution make her a perfect fit for Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records, a label dedicated to giving artists the freedom to release music on their own terms. This partnership ensures that every song Joanne releases reaches fans exactly as intended—without industry constraints, allowing her artistry to shine.
Joanne is set to bring her high-energy live performances to audiences across the country, kicking off with Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X from March 21-26, 2025, followed by an extensive U.S. Spring Tour. Fans can expect to hear new material from Black & Gold alongside beloved fan favorites, all delivered with Joanne’s signature passion and electrifying stage presence.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour
2025 Summer Tour Dates & Festivals
May 30 - Quebec, CA - Festival Des Guitares du Monde
June 13 - Henderson, KY - WC Handy Festival
June 28 - Winter Park, CO - Blues From The Top
July 12 - Salamanca, Spain - Festival Blues Bejar Festival
July 17 - Kirjurinluoto, Pori, FI - Pori Jazz Festival
July 18 - Kent, UK - Maid Of Stone Festival
August 5 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse (rescheduled)
August 6 - Riverhead, NY - The Suffolk
August 8 - Salisbury, MA - Blue Ocean Music Hall
August 9 - Holyoke, MA - De La Luz Soundstage
August 10 - North Truro, MA - Payomet Performing Arts Center
August 12 - Arden, DE - Arden Concert Gild
August 15 - Bethlehem, PA - Summer Series Festival
August 16 - Norwich, NY - Chenango Blues Festival
Peter Noble at Noble PR
Tel: +44 (0) 207 272 7772, +44 (0) 794 908 9762
Email: peter@noblepr.co.uk