Smith/Kotzen, featuring Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith and The Winery Dogs’ Richie Kotzen, have announced their sophomore album, Black Light / White Noise, arriving March 7th.
The duo also offered up the lead single “White Noise,” a gritty hard rocker that lets the duo unleash its talents. Both Smith and Kotzen are skilled singers and split vocal duties — Smith with his clean and sultry delivery that is a nice foil for Kotzen’s high register pipes, which reach Chris Cornell-level heights here. And considering both are guitarists by trade, the axework is pristine throughout.
“The song is about the rise of social media, how people get addicted to it, the power of it and how we get bombarded with it 24/7,” said Smith of the lyrics in a press release.
Added Kotzen on the song’s origins: “It was actually a riff Adrian brought in. I then immediately started improvising the melody and the lyric that became the chorus. It had another working title, completely different to what it ended up being and we kind of came up on the spot with that call and answer in the chorus that turned into ‘White Noise.’”
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Black Light / White Noise follows up the duo’s 2021 self-titled debut and continues the project’s exploration of the blues, R&B, and classic hard rock — styles that can all be heard on the new single. The 10-song LP was recorded at The House in Los Angeles and produced by Kotzen and Smith. It was mixed by Jay Ruston.
“We’re so proud of this new album — it follows on from our debut and the EPs by focusing on collaborating on riffs, lyrics, harmonies and vocals,” Kotzen said. “There’s a Smith/Kotzen DNA now and it’s definitely something we need to get out on the road with. I was pleased to work with my friend Jay Ruston on the mixing of the album, let alone my wife Julia (Lage) — who actually plays on ‘White Noise’ as well as four other tracks.”
Smith added, “We’re like an extended family now. We have a sound and a vibe and I don’t think many artists are doing what we do — sharing the vocals and the guitars — it takes me back to those classic bands like Humble Pie and Cream — which is not a bad place to start!”
Pre-order Black Light / White Noise via the Smith/Kotzen website. Stream the video for “White Noise” and see the album art and tracklist below.
Black Light / White Noise Artwork:
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Smith Kotzen Black Light White Noise
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Black Light / White Noise Tracklist:
01. Muddy Water
02. White Noise
03. Black Light
04. Darkside
05. Life Unchained
06. Blindsided
07. Wraith
08. Heavy Weather
09. Outlaw
10. Beyond The Pale
