Rock is about to get its next standout record of 2017 this June when Jason Isbell unleashes The Nashville Sound on the world, complete with thrashing guitars and soaring vocals from him and the 400 Unit, the band he’s toured with primarily since his departure from Drive-By Truckers. 

Isbell announced the record earlier this year and kept a majority of the material close to the vest thus far, opting to only play a couple of songs on tour so far. He’s unveiled two studio cuts, however, in “Hope the High Road” and the newest addition, today’s release of “Cumberland Gap.” 

While the songs don’t necessarily represent a huge shift in sound from Isbell, best known for delicate acoustic numbers like “Dress Blues” and “Cover Me Up,” they certainly rekindle old memories of his time in the Truckers.

For example, “Cumberland Gap” opens with the searing fuzz of guitar feedback before the rest of the band comes screaming in, and the frenetic, driving song touches on current events–a theme that permeates throughout the entire record. 

Isbell’s latest will undoubtedly put a punctuation mark on a strong first half of the year for rock and roll. After impressive releases from Japandroids, Cloud Nothings, Ryan Adams, Future Islands and Father John Misty (among many others), Isbell seems poised to come over the top with a torching testament to 2017 and the aggression to back up those emotions.

Through two songs, it appears that The Nashville Sound might not just be one of the best rock records of the year, but one of the best albums, period. 

The Nashville Sound arrives on June 16. Pre-orders are currently live. Isbell will also be on the road for much of the year including a lengthy run in the U.S. this summer.