Brian Fallon has announced details of his eagerly awaited new album, Not Bad For New Jersey, set for release via his own Lesser Known Records on Thursday, September 10, 2026, digitally, with the physical release following on Friday, September 11, 2026.
The album marks Fallon’s first original solo LP in more than five years and is previewed today by the new single “Pearls,” a heavy-hearted but ultimately triumphant track addressed to those born into privilege.
“I’ve never been one to resent anybody for having certain advantages in life, and I don’t think there’s anything inherently pure in having to struggle,” says Fallon. “But I do think there’s real value in overcoming the odds stacked against you, because getting to the point of feeling like you’re actually worth something is one of the toughest mountains to climb.”
Produced by longtime collaborator Butch Walker at Walker’s studio just outside Nashville, Not Bad For New Jersey sees Fallon leaning into a mix of power pop and heartland rock. The album features a number of special guests, including Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, Marc Ribot, and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Lori McKenna.
Fallon previously shared the album tracks “Not Bad for New Jersey” and “Better Before,” the latter co-written with Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods.
“‘Not Bad for New Jersey’ is my way of celebrating what I do and where I’m from,” says Fallon. “I wrote that song looking back on my life the way you do after almost ending up in a crash – like, ‘How did I make it through that?’ I really could’ve busted myself open somewhere along the way, but somehow I’m still here and I’m still in one piece.”
Brian Fallon & The Painkillers will mark the arrival of the new music with a run of intimate live shows in June, including dates at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, The Basement East in Nashville, the Troubadour in West Hollywood, and Reggies’ Rock Club in Chicago. Fallon will also appear at Riot Fest 2026 in Chicago this September.
BRIAN FALLON & THE PAINKILLERS – LIVE 2026
JUNE
14 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony * SOLD OUT
16 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East *
20 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour * SOLD OUT
22 – Chicago, IL – Reggies’ Rock Club * SOLD OUT
SEPTEMBER
18-20 – Chicago, IL – Riot Fest 2026 †
* w/ Special Guest Emily Wolfe
† Festival Appearance
Not Bad For New Jersey is released digitally on Thursday, September 10, 2026, with the physical release following on Friday, September 11, 2026.
TRACKLIST:
Not Bad for New Jersey
Better Before
Pearls
The Big Sleep (feat. Donovan Woods)
On Good Terms (feat. Lori McKenna)
Nobody Likes You in NYC
Love at the End of the World (feat. Brandon Flowers)
Somewhere You Shouldn’t Be (feat. Phil Collen)
Fading on Me
Walkin’ Through the Garden
Wolf by the River (feat. Marc Ribot)
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