Billy Strings Announces New Album “So Much For Goodbyes”
At the stroke of midnight Eastern time U.S. Monday evening, Billy Strings revealed to the world that his newest album called So Much For Goodbyes would be arriving on August 28th, and then laid us all to rest with guaranteed nightmares from the music video of the album’s lead single “Burn The Other End” (see below). Rest assured though, no Billy Strings fan is complaining. Any new release from the bluegrass maestro will be met with great anticipation, and an almost guaranteed Grammy nomination.
“This album came at a time in my life when I had a lot to write about,” Billy Strings explains. “I had just lost my mother last June and still felt the talons of grief piercing my back. Before she passed, she and I had planned on trying to use some of her poetry to make songs from, but that just hasn’t panned out yet. A lot of her poetry is very stream-of-conscious, and I just couldn’t figure out how to put it to a tune. Maybe someday I will.”
Instead we get 16 new tracks from Strings that you can expect once again will explore the boundaries of bluegrass, but also adhere and deeply respect the genre’s roots. It’s been this combination of reverence for tradition, while also breaking its bounds that has earned Strings a massive audience full of bluegrass purists right beside jamgrass party kids and old stoner hippies. Even though Billy’s mom did not contribute any lyrics to the new album, the artwork and inspiration for the album is hers.
“Another dream we had was having her make art for the next record cover,” Strings explains. “She was an amazing artist and was constantly working on many different things. She would call me all the time and tell me about how she was painting this or gluing this thing to that to make some UFO alien battle with cowboys and fairies. All her pieces had a story. The piece we ended up using for the cover was the one she was working on the night she died. I believe her intention was to show it to me when it was finished to see if I would use it for the cover. Although I don’t believe she had the chance to complete it, I am so happy we were able to fulfill that dream.”
Strings goes on to explain about the inspiration for the title of the new album, “I never got to say goodbye to her. That’s why I wanted to call the album ‘So Much For Goodbyes.’ When I mentioned it to my manager, his interpretation of it was different from mine. I was sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye, but when I told him the name of the album, he heard it from a different perspective. It’s not goodbye. She’s not gone. She’s very much still with me. So much for goodbyes.”
On the album’s lead single “Burn the Other End,” Billy Strings shows off the darker side of his artistry, while also proving he doesn’t have to rely on blazing speed to show off his guitar prowess. He can compose thoughtful and novel guitar melodies in the mid tempo that are just as impressive, and that compliment his lyricism. The song was co-written by Paul Hoffman.
The new album was produced by Billy Strings, with T Bone Burnett acting as co-producer. Along with some guest spots, the album was recorded with Billy’s backing band of Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Billy Failing on banjo, Jarrod Walker on mandolin, and Royal Masat on bass.
As Billy Strings announces the new album, he’s getting ready to head to Austin, TX where he will film his latest appearance on Austin City Limits on July 2nd, and then hang around for a couple of days to help headline Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic at the Circuit of the Americas.
So Much For Goodbyes is now available for pre-save and pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. Debra’s Waltz (4:12)
2. I’m One of Those (4:23)
3. Burn the Other End (4:39)
4. Carry Us Home (4:14)
5. Lay Me Down (4:02)
6. Lucid Daydream (6:38)
7. Mill Town Flood (5:06)
8. Live to Tell (6:29)
9. Bluewater Breakdown (3:36)
10. Light the Way (2:47)
11. I Like Train Songs (4:48)
12. 10,000 Miles From a Friend (5:10)
13. Still I Crash (5:03)
14. I Wish I Wanted To (6:45)
15. Remember to Cry (3:50)
16. Wrestling an Angel (3:47)
June 30, 2026 @ 10:13 am
I do like this artist. He has a real talent. His albums are full of artistry and great music. One to look forward to.
June 30, 2026 @ 11:46 am
Great point about being able to create memorable parts at multiple speeds. The best artist we have in music in the 2020’s.
June 30, 2026 @ 12:05 pm
New album from Billy Strings? That’ll get a few spins from this quarter. The new single here is great.
June 30, 2026 @ 12:35 pm
I never really paid much attention to Billy until I stumbled upon a video recently, an interview with the guitar instructor who has been giving Strings lessons for the past three years. Here’s a guy who is a world class player, sells out stadiums, and inspires so many, and he’s working to “fix the holes in his playing.” That’s as authentic as the scars and scuffs on some of those old guitars he plays.
June 30, 2026 @ 2:31 pm
It may have been Carl Perkins who said “It hasn’t all been done on guitar.” Even Les Paul practiced every day. The more you play, the better you get.
June 30, 2026 @ 3:22 pm
Agree. Strings humbly admits that he’s no Tony Rice. The lessons purportedly are to help him with the music theory that Rice knew intimately well. Billy has surprised me, I had him pegged wrong for way too long.
July 1, 2026 @ 3:55 am
Billy talks about this in his interview with Rick Beato. The whole thing is really good, if you’re into Billy Strings or guitar playing. Can be found on YouTube.
July 1, 2026 @ 5:01 am
Rick Beato has some great interviews. He is also a great interviewer. Billy’s was one of his best.
July 1, 2026 @ 2:00 pm
Billy is going to be an Icon. I think that interview has close to 9M views right now. I believe it is Beato’s most watched. It is a great interview. Billy Strings is an A+ level talent.
June 30, 2026 @ 6:57 pm
Dont really care for the new song but ill check out the album.
July 1, 2026 @ 6:10 am
The new track could be prog with different instruments, or even a jazz fusion tune. Cut the vocals and it could be a Mahavishnu song.
July 1, 2026 @ 6:22 am
Does anyone here know this story which I am about to mangle. Sorry, I just can’t remember the details.
Some young musicians (Sam Bush??) were talking to an old-timer in bluegrass/country and he mentioned Mahavishnu stuff. The young guys thought maybe this old-timer knows more than we think.
July 1, 2026 @ 12:18 pm
I didn’t find the story you referenced but your comment led me to this gem, dang: https://youtu.be/OEe3ehv3n1s?is=SRxsp5TfH_2xBRTh
July 1, 2026 @ 8:09 pm
That’s one of my favorite songs in the world. First time I saw Sam play it live I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
July 1, 2026 @ 12:27 pm
This could be the story you’re referring to, from a Sam Bush interview:
“The New Grass Revival had played a festival somewhere and we liked complicated [musical] arrangements. So, we played some of those and after the set some old boy comes up to me and says, ‘Wow, who do you all think you are? The Mahavishnu Mountain Boys’ or something?”
July 1, 2026 @ 12:41 pm
That was it, Grizzle!
Thanks!
Tom
July 1, 2026 @ 6:28 am
I love the new song. I’ve always liked his alt bluegrass songs like Away From The Mire and Fire Line. There is a ton of tradition bluegrass out there, so I tend to gravitate to these uniques BS songs. But that’s just me. I’m sure most like the traditional BG songs.
July 1, 2026 @ 6:38 am
A traditional treat from Billy is “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz”, which there is a YouTube of him and his boys performing at the Ryman in ‘23. While that might not be your thing Jeff, try and give it a whirl. I love those old waltzes.
July 1, 2026 @ 7:12 am
This is great as are most of Billy’s songs. Don’t get me wrong, I love all of his stuff and I’ve seen him live twice. I just tend to like his “alternative songs”, if that’s the right term, more.
July 1, 2026 @ 8:56 am
Already preordered from my LRS and I can’t wait to hear it! Every album gets better and better. Highway Prayers was a masterpiece (to me), so I’m excited to listen to what’s next. I love that he’s always pushing the boundaries of the genre – to me, that’s what makes it fresh & exciting. When I finally got to hear him in concert for the first time, I walked away feeling like I just saw one of the best musicians alive, not to mention all the other talent standing there on stage with him.