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Sunday, July 6, 2025

Gary Clark Jr.’s stripped back sophomore album is a must-buy

The Story of Sonny Boy Slim

Whoever has the nerve to say that Rock & Roll is dead probably has never been graced by the guitar fiend-ness that is Gary Clark Jr. This Austin, Texas native burst onto the rock scene after the release of his major label debut, “Blak and Blu” in 2012, which Rolling Stone ranked as number 27 on its list of the 50 best albums of that year. Highlighted by tracks such as “When My Train Pulls In,” “Numb,” and “Bright Lights,” which ESPN featured during its coverage of the 2012 NFL Draft. “Blak and Blu” is one of the hardest blues records released in recent years.

More recently, Clark collaborated with Foo Fighters on their new album “Sonic Highways,” in which he is featured on the track titled "What Did I Do? / God As My Witness.” On July 4, 2015, Clark was one of the opening acts for Foo Fighters’ twentieth anniversary show at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.. Other guests including Heart, Buddy Guy, Joan Jett, LL Cool J, Trombone Shorty, RDGLDGRN and Trouble Funk.

Not a bad track record for Mr. Clark.

Now in today’s musical industry, we are in the waning weeks of summer with Clark’s sophomore album, “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim” freshly released. Much to the chagrin of a lot of Gary Clark Jr. fans, “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim” provides very different sounds compared to its preceding works. While the inclusion of horns was present on “Blak and Blu,” it was only subtle, which cannot be said about Clark’s new album. “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim” incorporates horns more than any other solo project Clark has worked on, mainly featured on songs like “Grinder,” “Hold On,” “Cold Blooded” and “BYOB.” While it’s a far cry from Clark’s bluesy debut, these songs are still filled with substance and groovy riffs.

Another element missing from “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim” is Clark’s guitar prowess. Clark is an absolute fiend on the guitar. “Blak and Blu” featured extensive guitar solos on most of the album’s tracks. For “Sonny Boy Slim,” however, Clark pulls back a little bit. While the guitar shredding is held to a minimum, it still doesn’t take away from the masterful guitar playing Clark displays on his sophomore record.

A couple of can’t-miss tracks, “Church” and “Shake,” are the highlights of “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim.” “Church” is one of those tracks that hits you like a train, painting a picture in your head of an early-morning drive through America’s great plains, cigarette in hand, ready for a hard day’s work. “Shake,” on the other hand, is quite the opposite. Its twangy guitar sounds and Clark’s howling, “Don’t stop baby shake it loose!” make for a picture perfect soundtrack to a night of drinking and dancing in a countryside bar’s parking lot.

There’s a little bit of everything on “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim.” Touching on every genre from hard Rock & Roll to Blues and Country, Clark’s versatility as an artist is put on full display here and it’s gorgeous, intense and breathtaking all at the same time. In the words of Clark from his song “Bright Lights,” “You’re gonna know my name by the end of the night.” After this album, that statement will hold true for a lot of people.

Grade: B+

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