From collaborations with Bruce Springsteen and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, to his early writing in D Generation, Jesse Malin fuses evocative lyrics with music that cross genres. His latest effort, Sad and Beautiful World, "is for the survivors, the dreamers, the leavers and the believers,” says Jesse Malin. “My music has always been about rebirth and redemption. This record is for those who pick up the pieces and find beauty in the madness.” The first double album of Malin’s career hits like a collection of heartfelt and eloquent short stories that never lose their dirt and swagger. The phoenix bird could be the spiritual mascot of Sad and Beautiful World, out now on Wicked Cool Records. This latest music is a natural progression of Malin’s previous work. D Generation charged onto the scene with downtown swagger while 'The Fine Art of Self-Destruction', his Ryan Adams’s produced first solo album, combined this toughness with heart-rending lyrics reminiscent of Steve Earle and Tom Waits. Subsequent work refine rock in the vein The Hold Steady and The Strokes while cultivating a personal lyrical approach a la Wilco or Elliott Smith. The Lucinda Williams produced ‘Sunset Kids,’ found Jesse reimagining broad swaths of American musical textures- invoking Lou Reed, Neil Young and Paul Simon. In Sad and Beautiful World, the genres and influences gel and Jesse Malin continues to step assuredly into the role of street-savvy, roots-minded songster.

Jesse Malin, Radio 4

Jesse Malin

Going to Jesse Malin, Radio 4?