Chris Antonik, the blues-rock guitar wielding singer-songwriter from Canada, has just gone through a five-year process of personal growth and self-compassion building — and he wears his stories on his sleeve across the 14-track Morningstar, out August 5th via Second Half Records, in partnership with Moon Dog Music (PRE-ORDER). Antonik, like most, arrived at new challenges during the global pandemic and in addition to the weight of that, he also found himself navigating a divorce, finding sobriety and being a single parent. Co-produced by Juno Award-winning producer Derek Downham and the 3x-Maple Blues Award-nominee, Antonik, Morningstar takes listeners on a sonically-layered journey rooted in blues and blues-rock, with intriguing byways taken via routes of soul, future-funk, psychedelia, late-1980’s-Clapton/Robbie Robertson/Daniel Lanois and experimental turns into blues-based modern rock and hip-hop territories. Â
Morningstar — the fourth studio album from Antonik — tells a cohesive story of his experiences as he enters mid-life. The last few years’ worth of life, love, loss, and growth are synthesized into an epic collection of songs about new beginnings, building community, mindfulness, self-compassion, Antonik’s  sobriety, and the power of home. Through it all, Antonik plays his guitar with unbridled ferocity and passion, mining his soul deeper than he ever has before. Â
Today Glide is excited to premiere “Back to the Good,” one of the standout tracks on the new record. Kicking off right out of the gate with feisty riffage, the song is a swaggering blues rocker that incorporates elements of heavy rock, funk and soul to make for something truly special. Soaring harmonies and big brassy flourishes, not to mention a catchy-as-hell chorus, make this the kind of big-hearted anthem that could get a big venue grooving. Antonik balances his commanding vocals with scorching licks and the kind of big blues band leadership that would make Clapton smile, with plenty of solos for the blues nuts to soak up.
LISTEN:
