Leave it to Caroline Jones to put out new, feel-good music that that singlehandedly will cover most of your summer playlist.
The country singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist released her third EP Superpower today (May 19), which embodies both grit and resilience while showcasing a wide range of sounds influenced by country, pop and even bluegrass.
“This collection was just the first five songs I had done off the record,” Caroline tells Celeb Secrets exclusively in a virtual interview. “Thematically it’s emblematic of grit and perseverance, which is also the larger theme of the record that will be out in October, but this gives a taste of it and I’m really, really proud of each of these songs.”
Co-producing the project at the iconic Blackbird and Castle Recording Studios alongside industry vet Ric Wake (Whitney Houston, Celine Dión), Jones brought on Brandon Hood (Brett Eldredge, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt) for the first time, which she says help her create the perfect blend of both country and pop that she was looking for with Superpower.
“I think what I’m most proud of on this record is working with Brandon Hood and bringing him in as a co-producer,” Caroline reveals. “It’s wonderful to have some fresh blood in the studio and test your metal. I want to continue pushing myself musically and in the Nashville community, so to work with Brandon, who’s an incredible musician and Dan Huff protege, I feel proud of taking that risk and re-testing my metal with him. I wanted to be nervous in the studio again, I wanted to be pushed musically; I feel really proud of the blend of country pop that Ric, Brandon and I have created with this record.”
When listening to Superpower for the first time, fans are introduced to the electrifying, hooky melodies in “Lawless,” before hearing Caroline’s new focus track, “Normal Person,” a sassy, tongue-in-cheek song that features a relatable play-on-words that pokes fun at marriage. Jones continues to explore life through her surprise instant-grat ballad, “Superpower,” a brutally honest autobiographical story of her career going through waves of victory and disappointment and never giving up. From there, she moves to the only cover on the album, a deep and spiritual song from folk supergroup Cry, Cry, Cry titled “By Way of Sorrow,” featuring one of her musical heroes, Vince Gill. The project closes out with previously released “Keep It Safe” featuring Alyssa Bonagura, a 90’s Country-Pop sounding track that explores the butterfly feeling at the early stages of a relationship.
Known for making music that is very intentional, Jones says that this set of songs just reflects on the newest chapter in her life, which includes meeting and marrying her now husband, being the first-ever female in the Zac Brown Band, touring the nation and conquering personal growth.
“I’m very intentional about the music I make, but the actual song choices are just where I am in my life,” Caroline shares. “This is just a reflection of this chapter of my life. I feel that meeting my husband and joining the Zach Brown Band — being around both of those entities energies has made me a lot less timid have a lot more grit, willingness to look at hard things and just emotional courage.”
And while each song as a special meaning to the multi-instrumentalist, Caroline says the one that stands out to her the most is the only cover on the EP, “By Way Of Sorrow,” which features none other than her “top five heroes” Vince Gill.
“Vince is on my shortlist of like real top five heroes. I gravitate toward artists who are not only great singer-songwriters, but ones who have a real grace and integrity about them and are in it for the music and not just for the industry or the fame or the hits, and he exemplifies that,” Caroline explains. “His career is a masterclass in how to navigate this industry with grace and be someone that everyone looks up to and admires without exception, so having him on this EP is an indescribable honor; and then having him on ‘By Way of Sorrow,’ is just so moving. It’s such an incredibly sacred lyric and melody.”
Introduced to the song by fellow artist Alyssa Bonagura, who is featured on her previously released song “Keep It Safe,” Jones says that she wanted to put her own spin on the song as its not only “powerful and moving,” but also a track that deserves to be “played at meaningful life events.”
“I wanted to put my spin on it and honestly just do what I can with my even small platform to put the song in more people’s ears,” she continues. “Plus to have his voice on it — gosh, I don’t even have words really.”
Fans can hear Caroline’s new music live and in person when she hits the road for various headlining shows this summer during her fifth consecutive summer stadium tour for Zac Brown Band’s From The Fire Tour. She’ll will kick off the summer season with Zac Brown on June 2nd in Cincinnati before making her way to Nashville, Austin, Houston, Dallas and Chicago for headlining dates, ultimately wrapping her season run in November with the band in Tampa, FL. You can view a full list of tour dates and purchase tickets on her website here.
To learn more about Caroline’s music, make sure to check out our full interview with her below and let us know if you’re loving Superpower by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
LISTEN TO “SUPERPOWER” NOW:
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