Review By Halina Wegner
There’s a reason Joanne Shaw Taylor continues to sit at the pinnacle of modern blues-rock. Her ability to thread genuine emotion through fierce guitar work and genre-blurring songwriting has never felt more vital than it does on Black & Gold—her 10th studio album, set for release on June 6th via Journeyman Records. Reuniting with veteran producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Journey, Joe Bonamassa), Taylor delivers an album that’s not just a landmark in her own discography but a beacon for what blues-infused rock music can still achieve in 2025.
With Black & Gold, Taylor doesn’t play it safe—she plays it smart, bold, and soulful. Across eleven tracks, she merges blues-rock grit with Americana charm, indie introspection, and ‘80s pop shimmer, offering a project that’s both deeply personal and wildly accessible. This isn’t just an album—it’s an emotional reckoning set to a killer groove.
Joanne Shaw Taylor has never been one to rest on past successes. Though she’s already carved her legacy as a guitar slinger and powerhouse vocalist, Black & Gold signals a shift in narrative depth and sonic texture, showing that she’s still evolving—and willing to push herself.
Thematically, the record dances on the knife’s edge between heartbreak and hope, exploring everything from toxic cycles to self-redemption, unspoken loss to radiant new beginnings. Taylor’s vocals are as smoky and soulful as ever, but here, they often feel more exposed, vulnerable even, especially on tracks like “Grayer Shade Of Blue” and “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?”
Musically, the record is her most versatile yet. There are moments that feel like stadium rock anthems, others that pull from Nashville’s back roads, and even flashes of synth-driven retro cool that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Pat Benatar record. Yet through all of it, Joanne’s identity—grounded in blues—anchors every note.
The album kicks off with a bang. Gritty, urgent, and punchy, “Hold Of My Heart” is a driving blues-rock anthem laced with emotional desperation. Joanne’s voice is crisp and cutting, serving as a perfect intro to an album rooted in passion and persistence.
Already a fan favourite from its single release, this track blends guitar lines with a confessional lyricism that feels almost diary-like. There’s a subtle rock flavour beneath the surface reminding us that Joanne’s talent isn’t bound by blues tradition, but elevated by her genre-fusing instincts.
The title track is a showstopper. Originally a Sam Sparro electro-pop hit, Taylor’s cover reimagines it entirely, transforming the dancefloor favourite into a sultry, guitar-drenched soul anthem. Kevin Shirley’s production shines here—layered and lush without losing its edge. This is blues with a coat of midnight glamour.
One of the most intimate cuts on the album. Here, Taylor sings from a place of emotional vulnerability, capturing the desolation of post-heartbreak reflection. It’s stripped back in all the right ways—letting the lyrics breathe and the guitar echo like thoughts bouncing around a quiet room.
There’s a sharpness to this one—both in tone and sentiment. It’s a song of final straws and bitter awakenings. Joanne’s vocal phrasing has bite, matched by a riff that snarls and swings. The groove here is irresistible—gritty but danceable, perfect for those who’ve learned the hard way and are ready to move on.
A breezy break in the emotional storm. “Summer Love” dials up the Americana warmth, offering a road-trip-ready tune with sweet harmonies and a laid-back rhythm. It’s a reminder that even in heartbreak, moments of lightness still linger.
The emotional core of the album. If “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?” cracks the heart open, “Grayer Shade Of Blue” pours salt into the wound—but in the most cathartic way. Taylor’s guitar tone here is aching, with bends that sound like sighs and vocals that tremble under the weight of grief. This is her songwriting at its most poignant and poetic. A career-best track.
Hell Of A Good Time to turn up the volume. A barnstorming blues-rocker that lives up to its title, this is all swagger and strut. It’s the kind of track that reminds you Joanne can blow the roof off a venue as easily as she can tear out your heart. A straight-up good time with serious chops.
Look What I’ve Become The introspective shadow returns here, but with more perspective. “Look What I’ve Become” feels like the product of long nights, tough lessons, and a hard-won sense of self-worth. The guitar solo here is less flashy, more soulful—Taylor isn’t trying to impress, she’s telling a story.
What Are You Gonna Do Now?A pointed question with an equally sharp delivery. This track simmers with tension—its verses feel like restrained monologues before exploding into a defiant chorus. The blend of blues and ‘80s pop textures gives this one a unique identity on the record. You can almost picture it playing during the climax of a gritty drama.
Love Lives Here The closer is pure uplift. After the emotional turbulence of the preceding tracks, “Love Lives Here” is like sunrise after a sleepless night. It’s heartfelt without being saccharine, and hopeful without ignoring the scars. It reminds us that Taylor’s journey through heartbreak and healing ultimately circles back to self-love and quiet resilience
For an artist on her 10th album, it would’ve been easy for Joanne Shaw Taylor to settle into a tried-and-tested groove. But Black & Gold proves she has no intention of coasting. In fact, this album might be her most brave, refined, and genre-challenging effort to date. Much of that is thanks to the continued collaboration with producer Kevin Shirley, whose textured, analog-rich style captures every ounce of Taylor’s vocal soul and guitar grit. The album sounds expensive, lived-in, and real—a credit to both the production and the performances.
But what truly elevates Black & Gold is Joanne’s songwriting. These aren’t just breakup songs or blues standards—they’re character studies, internal dialogues, and personal declarations. Tracks like “Grayer Shade Of Blue” and “Look What I’ve Become” speak to a maturity and emotional intelligence that’s only deepened with time.
Joanne Shaw Taylor’s Black & Gold is not just an album—it’s a testament to growth, guts, and grit. It’s a record that wrestles with personal demons while dancing through musical reinvention. Whether you’re here for the guitar heroics, the raw lyricism, or the fresh stylistic pivots, you’ll find plenty to fall in love with. At a time when blues-rock can risk sounding either too retro or too polished, Black & Gold walks the line perfectly—grounded in tradition but entirely forward-facing. It reminds us that the blues isn’t just about sorrow—it’s about survival, and Joanne Shaw Taylor is not just surviving, she’s thriving.
Jace Media Music Rating: 9.5/10
In a world of copy-paste blues-rock records, Joanne Shaw Taylor’s ‘Black & Gold’ is the real deal: vulnerable, vibrant, and built to last.
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