Shinedown fans are buzzing with excitement over the release of two new songs, “365” and “Dance, Kid, Dance.” The tracks showcase the band’s diverse musical style and have sparked a lively debate among listeners about which song is better. “We needed to approach everything differently this time,” said lead singer Brent Smith. “The last two albums were conceptual, so it was important for us to ask ourselves where we wanted to go next creatively.
The answer was everywhere—there was no specific direction. We just started writing and let the new songs guide us.”
“365” finds Shinedown in a mid-tempo groove with a melodically hypnotic sound and a guitar tone reminiscent of Def Leppard’s “Hysteria.” Smith reflects on better days sparked by a favorite song and wishes for a different outcome of a past relationship. In contrast, “Dance, Kid, Dance” is an upbeat, anthemic rocker driven by Barry Kerch’s hard-hitting drum beat.
Shinedown’s new creative direction
The track serves as a cautionary tale, expressing concern for the younger generation faced with overwhelming messaging and evolving social norms. Both songs were co-written by Smith, guitarist Zach Myers, and producer Dave Bassett.
Bassett produced the tracks at his Big Animal Studio in Charleston, South Carolina. As part of a special battle on Chuck’s Fight Club, host Chuck Armstrong will introduce the songs on Monday’s show. He will make a case for each track on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 PM, with the winner announced during the 8 PM hour of Friday’s show.
Shinedown will also embark on the “Dance, Kid, Dance” tour starting April 25 in Des Moines, Iowa. The tour will include two legs of North American shows, with support from Bush, Beartooth, and Morgan Wade.