On first listen, this splendid record from the king of genre-bending blues-rock might feel a tad too polished and accessible. The key to understanding its artistic choices is revealed during its epic centrepiece, Broken Record, when Bonamassa cries, “I’ve been on this road for too long, lost in the wilderness.” What initially sounds like standard bluesy exorcism is, in fact, indicative of an endearingly upbeat effort that, instead of wallowing under a black cloud, revels in the music’s capacity for emotional release.
‘Breakthrough’ delivers everything fans might expect from a modern Bonamassa record, with an eclectic melding of styles meeting masterful production from Kevin Shirley, a fiery backing band, gospel-tinged earworm hooks and outstanding fretwork. But where ‘Redemption’ and ‘Time Clocks’ explored weightier themes such as mortality and sin, this joyous album betters them thanks largely to a contagious sense of optimism.
Whether he’s toasting his ability to move on during the title track, proudly unleashing his firecracker intensity on the Rory Gallagher riff-driven Trigger Finger, or owning his flaws with unapologetic swagger throughout the shuffling I’ll Take The Blame and rollicking Still Walking With Me, Bonamassa doesn’t condemn personal failings and couples doing each other wrong in typical bluesy fashion. Instead, he raises a glass to them.
As masterfully exhibited on the country-flavoured Shake This Ground and album closer Pain’s On Me, a Black Velvet-esque prowler with an exquisitely prolonged and dynamic guitar solo, he finds great power in acceptance and being able to see sun-kissed gratitude behind every raging cloudburst.
Likewise, both the cinematic Life After Dark, where he quietly exalts the ritualistic value of performing as a means of healing, and the AC/DC-meet-Zeppelin knuckle-rapper of You Don’t Own Me, where he defiantly roars “don’t tell me how to play the blues” at the genre’s rigid custodians, encapsulate the soul-saving impact playing his music his way has had on Bonamassa’s personal and professional journey.
There will be plenty who feel this glossy effort lacks grit, but if you’re making an album full of triumphant, life-affirming sentiments, you don’t want it to be a bottom-heavy mudfest of blister-raw songs. You want it to explode with joie de vivre, communal magnetism and timeless songcraft, which ‘Breakthrough’ does time and again thanks to funky rhythmic strokes, career-best choruses, charming sonic sheen and spirited sequencing. We’ll dub it Bonamassa’s career pinnacle, for now at least.
Joe Bonamassa Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu July 31 2025 - LOS ANGELES California - Greek Theatre (USA)
Fri August 01 2025 - PASO ROBLES California - Vina Robles Amphitheatre (USA)
Sun August 03 2025 - BEND Oregon - Hayden Homes Amphitheater (USA)
Tue August 05 2025 - AIRWAY HEIGHTS Washington - Northern Quest Casino (USA)
Wed August 06 2025 - POCATELLO Idaho - Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre (USA)
Fri August 08 2025 - DENVER Colorado - Red Rocks Amphitheatre (USA)
Sat August 09 2025 - ALBUQUERQUE New Mexico - Sandia Resort & Casino (USA)
Mon August 25 2025 - AIRWAY HEIGHTS Washington - BECU Live Outdoor Venue (USA)
Sat September 13 2025 - VIENNA Virginia - Wolf Trap Filene Center (USA)
Mon November 03 2025 - COLUMBUS Ohio - Palace Theatre Columbus (USA)
Wed November 05 2025 - TORONTO Ontario - Great Canadian Toronto (Canada)
Fri November 07 2025 - DETROIT Michigan - Fox Theatre Detroit (USA)
Sat November 08 2025 - FORT WAYNE Indiana - Embassy Theatre (USA)
Mon November 10 2025 - ROCKFORD Illinois - Coronado Theatre (USA)
Tue November 11 2025 - KANSAS CITY Missouri - Midland Theatre - MO (USA)
Fri November 14 2025 - DURANT Oklahoma - Choctaw Grand Theater (USA)
Sat November 15 2025 - HOUSTON Texas - Hobby Center (USA)
Tue November 18 2025 - CORPUS CHRISTI Texas - American Bank Center Selena Auditorium (USA)
Wed November 19 2025 - ABILENE Texas - Abilene Convention Center - Complex (USA)
Fri November 21 2025 - MIDLAND Texas - Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center (USA)
Sat November 22 2025 - AUSTIN Texas - Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (USA)
Sun November 23 2025 - SHREVEPORT Louisiana - Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium (USA)
Tue November 25 2025 - FAYETTEVILLE Arkansas - Baum Walker Hall at Walton Arts Center - Complex (USA)
Wed November 26 2025 - ST LOUIS Missouri - Stifel Theatre (USA)
Sat November 29 2025 - NEW ORLEANS Louisiana - Saenger Theatre-New Orleans (USA)
Sun November 30 2025 - MONTGOMERY Alabama - Montgomery Performing Arts Centre (USA)
Tue December 02 2025 - SAVANNAH Georgia - Savannah Civic Center - Johnny Mercer Theatre (USA)
Wed December 03 2025 - SARASOTA Florida - Van Wezel Performing Arts Center (USA)
Fri December 05 2025 - ESTERO Florida - Hertz Arena (USA)
Sat December 06 2025 - HOLLYWOOD Florida - Hard Rock Live (USA)
Sat February 21 2026 - SOUTH BEND Indiana - Morris Performing Arts Center (USA)
Mon February 23 2026 - CEDAR RAPIDS Iowa - Paramount Theatre Cedar Rapids (USA)
Wed February 25 2026 - MADISON Wisconsin - Overture Hall at Overture Center for the Arts - Complex (USA)
Fri February 27 2026 - PEORIA Illinois - Prairie Home Alliance Theater (USA)
Sat February 28 2026 - CINCINNATI Ohio - Taft Theatre (USA)
Mon March 02 2026 - WILKES BARRE Pennsylvania - F.M. Kirby Center (USA)
Wed March 04 2026 - SPRINGFIELD Massachusetts - Springfield Symphony Hall (USA)
Fri March 06 2026 - WESTBURY New York - Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair (USA)
Sat March 07 2026 - PITTSBURGH Pennsylvania - Benedum Center (USA)
Sun March 08 2026 - RED BANK New Jersey - Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center (USA)
Tue March 10 2026 - READING Pennsylvania - Santander Performing Arts Center (USA)
Wed March 11 2026 - VIRGINIA BEACH Virginia - Sandler Center For The Performing Arts (USA)
Fri March 13 2026 - DURHAM North Carolina - DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center (USA)
Sat March 14 2026 - GREENVILLE South Carolina - Bon Secours Wellness Arena (USA)
Tue March 17 2026 - KNOXVILLE Tennessee - Knoxville Civic Auditorium (USA)
Thu March 19 2026 - HUNTSVILLE Alabama - VBC Mark C Smith Concert Hall (USA)
Fri March 20 2026 - MACON Georgia - Atrium Health Amphitheater (USA)
Sat March 21 2026 - CLEARWATER BEACH Florida - Baycare Sound at Coachman Park - Complex (USA)
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