Review JOE BONAMASSA “Breakthrough”

Being able to play the guitar is one thing, but combining that skill with great songwriting ability and a stunning voice is another ball game entirely. One artist who embodies this is Joe Bonamassa. The rock and blues virtuoso doesn’t need much of an introduction, as he has been a renowned musician for many years.

With “Breakthrough”, the stunning guitarist has a new album ready to be released, and the first singles have hinted at a great album. The latest longplayer can be viewed as a cross-country release, with sessions in Greece, Egypt, Nashville and Los Angeles providing the inspiration for “Breakthrough”.

The focus on songs is what makes this new album so great. Bonamassa has a very rich musical repertoire and talent, which he uses on “Breakthrough” to make the songs the heroes. It isn’t about him or the guys supporting him. It’s all about the music and the songs. While there is no doubt that the album features blistering guitar solos and plenty of musical finesse, it becomes apparent from the opening track that we are listening to a stunning blues rock album that evokes emotion and feeling.

The title track, written by Bonamassa and Tom Hambridge (ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd), kicks off the album. It’s a pulsating blues rock song with plenty of groove, marking a great start to the album.
‘Trigger Finger’ was released as the lead single and is next on the album. It is a vibrant rock song with a great chorus. This energetic track leads to the blues-soaked ‘I’ll Take the Blame’ and one of the most soulful moments on the album is the song “Broken Record”. It is a calmer song on “Breakthrough” and it is the perfect fusion of rock and blues that touches your soul. It is also an excellent example of how Bonamassa’s songs tell musical stories that aim straight for the heart.

Regardless of which song is chosen on “Breakthrough”, it is regarded as a great one. The same can be said for the swinging “Shake This Ground”, which is also characterised by an introvert charm in its second layer. “Still Walking With Me” embraces soul influences, showcasing the guitarist/singer’s diverse musical approach while the uptempo “You Don’t Own Me” is purely rock-driven, before the bluesy “Pain’s on Me” brings the album to a close. This melancholic finale showcases Bonamassa’s exceptional talent once again.

“Breakthrough” is the highly anticipated next great album from Joe Bonamassa. He seems to have an endless creative flow, allowing him to release one fantastic album after another. Power, energy, finesse and emotion are all present on “Breakthrough”, making it another superb album that will provide joy for a long time.