Art Wright – who you might recall from his extensive work in the bands 68AD and GBU – is breaking the mould with his debut album, Jerseybraska; an 18-track megalith set for release on July 8th 2026. We’ve got our hands on the record early to reveal its secrets and pump up the anticipation for any fans of the folk, hard rock, and singer-songwriter sub-genres out there. Ready to dive in? Let’s go…
The short and snappy “Union County” kicks off this debut with a summer’s touch; bright-skied acoustics laced with instantly catchy, almost bittersweet melodies that feel like a step back to the Woodstock era. These atmospheres ribbon through the record’s entirety; sometimes edged by classic rock, other times softened with country flairs, but always oddly enchanting as any adventure-inspired record should be.
Second track, “Wawa” marks the song that spawned the idea for Art’s entire solo debut. As Art Wright reveals, the idea first struck as he was riding the freeway in New Jersey, pondering if there was a Wawa store in Mahwah. When he discovered that there wasn’t, the urge to write a song hit him hard and fast, and, fearing that the idea might sound nothing more than a novelty to his own bands, Art Wright braved the plunge into writing a solo album, one jam-packed with tunes detailing each corner of the state he’s lived his life in.
From snapshots of Jersey myth and legend to morbidly comedic scenes; from long-lost bowling alleys, greasy diners, churches and hospital waiting rooms to local trails fit for jogging, the eerie invasion of drones, and even a song dedicated to Bruce Springsteen, Art Wright paints a roadmap through the myriad perks and downfalls of the areas he knows like the back of his hand. Our personal favourite: the album-closing “Things That Will Kill You In Jersey” – a piece which lays folk’s classic list-writing lyrics over a gritty, grungy punk base.
The songwriter reveals:
“You see, I’ve lived two halves of my life in two distinct ‘versions’ of NJ. First, I grew up in the ‘Jersey…’ area that most outsiders envision when they think of the state. It’s close to the port towns of Elizabeth and Newark, just a short drive from New York City. It’s the urban sprawl zone. It’s gritty. It’s edgy. It’s wiseguy territory.
Then, in 2003, we moved out to the ‘…braska’ version of the state; among the orchards, farms and heavy-machinery-loving rednecks of Warren County. The air is a little cleaner here and there’s a little more elbow room.
The third important zone to me, namely the Jersey Shore, also gets visited on this musical excursion. These are true stories and fables that span the length of the Parkway.”
It’s a love-letter to the location that raised Art from boyhood to 68AD bandmate. And he takes on the challenge with a heartwarming twist, telling us,
“I see Jerseybraska as a kind of self-portrait disguised as songs about my home state…yet containing enough universal themes to be relevant to just about anyone. There is humor (both light and dark) here. There’s a hearty dose of NJ attitude and some moments of seriousness. There is love, pride and hope. Above all, there is honesty in both lyrics and performance. There are no artificial ingredients.”
Jerseybraska captures the vivid freedom of a songwriter who, at long last, is writing for himself; unweighted by the opinions of his bandmates and running wild with whatever in-jokes, epiphanies, and stories he pleases; an aura that will keep listeners addicted from start to finish, with Art Wright taking the role as tour guide.
From a reviewer listening all the way over in south-east England, UK, it’s clear you don’t need to be an NJ or even a US citizen to fall in love with Art Wright’s tapestry of home-grown themes. Each track places you in the heart of Art’s scenes, sparking an urge for escapism and a wanderlust for locations you’ve only just discovered exist. Our final verdict? Highly recommended.
BELOW: Listen to Art Wright and check out their music online. Please support Art Wright by visiting their website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
Check out our interview with Art Wright:
INTERVIEW: Art Wright (CLICK HERE)
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Booking & contact information for Art Wright:
Contact: Arthur Wright
Email: awjwlw495@gmail.com
Phone: 908-307-7611