By Alex HudsonWhen Gary Clark Jr. released his EP The Bright Lights in 2011, he earned our Mark of Approval and we called him "a bona fide blues guitar hero" in the making. Now, he's looking to find similar success with the follow-up full-length, Blak and Blu, due out October 22 on Warner Bros.
The album includes 12 brand new tunes, plus a covers medley of Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun" and Little Johnny Taylor's "If You Love Me Like You Say" (the latter of which was popularized by Albert Collins). It was co-produced by Clark, along with Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple) and Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Fleetwood Mac).
According to a press release, "This is a modern amalgam of rock and soul, informed by the blues and everything in-between aimed at a new generation of music fans who want it all."
Get a taste of this sound by streaming the opening track "Ain't Messin' Around" -- which features some of Clark's own trumpet playing -- below the tracklist and tour schedule.
1. Ain't Messin 'Round 2. When My Train Pulls In 3. Blak and Blu 4. Bright Lights 5. Travis County 6. The Life 7. Glitter Ain't Gold (Jumpin' for Nothin') 8. Numb 9. Please Come Home 10. Things Are Changin' 11. Third Stone from the Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say 12. You Saved Me 13. Next Door Neighbor Blues
Tour dates:
9/17 London, UK - Cargo 9/22 Hamburg, Germany - Reeperbahn Festival 9/27 Melbourne, Australia - The Tote 9/28 Annandale, Australia - The Annandale Hotel 10/10 Austin, TX - Stubb's (Waller Creek Conservancy Benefit) 10/11 San Antonio, TX - Arneson River Theater 10/14 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits 10/20 - 21 Mountain View, CA - Bridge School Benefit Concert 10/26 New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Festival 11/2-3 Boston, MA - The Sinclair 11/4-5 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom 11/9 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club 11/10 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts 11/13-15 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour 11/16 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
SHARE IT! 
