Guitar slinger and blues-rock powerhouse Joe Bonamassa has released his latest single, “Drive By The Exit Sign,” a gritty, up-tempo standout from his upcoming studio album Breakthrough, out July 18th via J&R Adventures.
Fuelled by a crunchy slide guitar riff, Southern-rock energy, and a full-throttle vocal performance, “Drive By The Exit Sign” finds Bonamassa leaning into the dirtier, road-tested side of his songwriting. It’s a breakup song disguised as a highway burner—fast-paced and hook-heavy, with lyrics that evoke missed chances, wrong turns, and the emotional wreckage we leave behind.
Produced by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, Journey), the single captures the raw, unfiltered side of Breakthrough, a record that spans genres and continents. Recorded across Greece, Nashville, and Los Angeles, Breakthrough reflects Bonamassa’s most expansive vision yet—a record that taps into swampy funk, acoustic introspection, arena-ready blues rock, and more.
Pre-order the album here.
Co-written by Bonamassa, James House, and producer Kevin Shirley, “Drive By The Exit Sign” follows the release of the album’s title track, “Breakthrough,” an anthemic, soul-stirring call to transformation that quickly became a fan favourite. That single, co-written with long-time collaborator Tom Hambridge, showcased Bonamassa’s growth as a storyteller and emotional interpreter, marking a new chapter in a career already defined by evolution.
“I think this album, Breakthrough, marks a shift in the styling of Joe Bonamassa’s recording output,” says Shirley. “While there are plenty of guitar solos on this record, his emphasis has been on songs primarily. Each time Joe undertakes a new recording project, he seems to access a different part of his vast library of music genres of the jukebox-in-his-head! This album is a round-the-world musical trip—from Little Feat funkiness to Texas swing, from hard rock power to acoustic singer/songwriter-style songs.”
The newly released single “Breakthrough,” co-written with longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd), captures the emotional core of the record — an uplifting anthem about transformation, persistence, and letting go of the weight that holds us back. With gritty vocals, melodic guitar lines, and lush instrumentation, the track embodies Bonamassa’s signature blend of power and finesse while ushering in a bold new direction.
The album announcement caps a stretch of extraordinary momentum for Bonamassa. Next up, Bonamassa recently began his extensive European Spring Tour, followed by a June run with his powerhouse supergroup Black Country Communion (featuring Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian). After another round of summer dates across Europe—including sold-out shows in Ireland—he’ll return stateside for his just-announced 2025 U.S. Summer Tour, a limited amphitheater run featuring stops at The Greek Theatre, Red Rocks, and more iconic venues.
With over 50 albums, 28 #1 Billboard Blues albums, and a lifelong commitment to evolving the genre, Bonamassa shows no signs of slowing down. Whether headlining iconic venues, mentoring rising artists through Journeyman Records, or supporting music education via his Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, Bonamassa continues to shape the future of blues-rock with every note.
