ZZ Ward Releases 'Liberation' A Return to Her Raw, Blues-Driven Roots

Acclaimed singer-songwriter ZZ Ward releases Liberation, her highly anticipated new album and first full-length project under the legendary Sun Records label. Infused with raw blues and brimming with artistic freedom, Liberation marks a powerful return to ZZ’s roots—an album that chronicles her personal journey of self-discovery, motherhood, and reclaiming her identity as a formidable blues artist. To celebrate the release, ZZ also unveils the striking music video for the album’s title track, “Liberation,” directed by Adam Ward and shot almost entirely on the streets of Los Angeles.

“I didn’t plan to make a blues album about motherhood—it just happened naturally,” ZZ explains. “I’ve always written songs to process life. Suddenly, I was facing this new, relentless job that’s 24/7 with no breaks, and that’s what I wrote about. But when you’re tested, you find out who you really are, and this album comes from a place of empowerment.”
On Liberation, ZZ fully embraces her lifelong passion for the blues, creating a record that blends gritty Chicago blues, stomping Delta blues, raw garage rock, and soulful vintage sounds. The album features a mix of original songs and reimagined blues classics, all delivered with ZZ’s unmistakable style. Collaborating with multi-platinum producer Ryan Spraker (Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Weezer, In This Moment), ZZ found the freedom to create music on her own terms, away from the pressures of a major label, resulting in her most genuine work to date.
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The album’s centerpiece, “Liberation,” is a soulful, emotionally charged ballad reminiscent of the depth and power of legends like Etta James and Nina Simone. Built on lush instrumentation and ZZ’s commanding vocals, the song serves as a declaration of independence. “Years ago, someone told me, ‘You know what you want to do with your music, but you always look to men for approval,’” ZZ recalls. “This song, and this album, came from no longer being that little girl asking for permission to create the music that’s in my heart.”
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​Directed by Adam Ward, the “Liberation” music video brings ZZ Ward’s themes of empowerment and freedom to life against the gritty, electric backdrop of Los Angeles. Shot on the city’s streets, the video captures ZZ in motion bold, unfiltered, and unapologetically herself.
For ZZ, partnering with Sun Records for this new chapter felt like destiny. “It was the perfect alignment for me Howlin’ Wolf recorded for Sun!” she exclaims. As a cornerstone of Americana and blues, the label provides an ideal home for Liberation, an album that both honors ZZ’s musical inspirations and pushes her artistry into bold, uncharted territory.
The album also features standout tracks like “Love Alive,” an emotionally charged blues anthem about fighting to keep love strong through life’s trials, and “Naked in the Jungle,” a raw, Creedence Clearwater Revival-inspired track capturing the chaos and exhaustion of new motherhood. Each song reveals a different aspect of ZZ’s journey self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative highs and lows of embracing her true self.
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​​Liberation by ZZ Ward
1. Mother
2. My Baby Left Me
3. I Have No One
4. Cadillac Man
5. Love Alive
6. Naked In The Jungle
7. Liberation
8. Lioness
9. Grinnin’ In Your Face
10. Dust My Broom
11. Sinner’s Prayer
12. Something You Got
13. Clairvoyant
14. Next To You

Website:
zzward.com