On sophomore album Love Out of Lemons, revered Nashville troubadour Bones Owens continues to evolve his cultured rock songwriting while capturing the energy of his renowned live shows. Released on July 12 by Black Ranch Records, Love Out of Lemons collects deeply grooving snapshots of carefree times and top-down drives with subtleties that linger long after the party’s over.

“This record sort of picks up where my debut full-length left off,” offered Owens from yet another hotel room on yet another tour. “Energetic rock very typical of my live show.”

Raised on country, gospel, and bluesy classic rock in rural Missouri, Owens took up guitar at age 10 and within three years was writing his own songs. At 21, he landed a publishing deal and relocated to Nashville, where he was soon a sought-after session and touring guitarist for a diverse array of artists from Yelawolf and Mikky Ekko to Carrie Underwood and Bon Jovi. Owens also co-wrote most of Yelawolf’s Trial by Fire album.

An old soul with a poet’s way with words, Owen’s early self-released solo EPs attracted the attention of Thirty Tigers (The White Buffalo, Smashing Pumpkins etc.), who released his eponymous debut album in 2021 and the more introspective, Americana-tinted Eighteen Wheeler EP two years later.

Like Eighteen Wheeler, Love Out of Lemons was produced by Paul Moak at his Smoakstack studio in Nashville. But while the EP was something of an introspective departure for Owens, Love Out of Lemons is a blithe dive into his eclectic, nuanced rock and alt-roots sensibilities, from the genre-fluid grooves of heyday War to the lean bluesy influence of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

“I wanted to do another record that was largely rock, but also for it to have more than one gear,” said Owens.

Love Out of Lemons features co-writes with Henry Brill (Phantogram, Jack Garratt) on “Born Again” and Austin Jenkins (Leon Bridges, White Denim) on “Higher Than I Wanna Be.” Drums throughout were played by Julian Dorio (The Whigs, Eagles of Death Metal), with all other instruments handled by Owens and producer Moak.

The album’s intentions are clear from the first bars of the opening title track; an irresistibly head-bobbing, outdoorsy strut that explores relationships from which love will never bloom, no matter how hard one or both parties try. “I was thinking of Eric Burdon or War as kind of the starting point for that song,” Owens recalled.

“Summer Skin” epitomizes Love Out of Lemons’ mellower sonic subplots, tapping into a carefree era of Owen’s life largely spent riding motorcycles and hanging out with friends, drink in hand. With additional arrangement and instruments by L.A.-based singer-songwriter/producer Josh Ostrander (Mondo Cozmo, Eastern Conference Champions), its organic, breezy verses are punctuated with an epic cascade of a chorus rich in twinkling, sepia-toned nostalgia.

The tambourine-flecked AC/DC strut of “Get In On” is a neon washed, two-and-a-half-minute dive bar anthem, its universally relatable refrain elevated with ecstatic organ and Owens’ soaring vocal. “I’ve waited all day long / To get it / To get it / To get it on,” implores its insistent, made-for-the-stage chorus.

As well as his ongoing touring, Owens will be making a solo trek around the Midwest on his Harley Davidson to coincide with the release of Love Out of Lemons. “I’ll just have a guitar strapped on the back to do some intimate shows and radio spots,” he explained. “As well as checking in on friends and family along the way.”

Originally planned for the previous November, the trip was postponed after Owens struck a deer on his motorcycle the day before he was due to leave. Tying-in with Love Out of Lemons standout “Goin’ Back Where I Came From,” the route will include Owens’ native Missouri, as well as Harley Davidson’s Milwaukee headquarters.

“I think it’s perfect that the record is coming out in the summer,” he concluded before heading out to the night’s soundcheck. “Because it very much feels like a sunny day, drivin’-down-the-road soundtrack to me.”

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