My Morning Jacket announce 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of classic album "Z" out 3rd October via ATO Records || Share new single "Where To Begin"
My Morning Jacket will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their classic 2005 album, Z, with a very special new Deluxe Edition, due out 3rd October via ATO Records and available to pre-order here. Remastered from the original master tapes, the Z 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will be available digitally and as a 3LP set on coloured vinyl, highlighted by 14 key outtakes from singles and film work, previously unreleased material, demos, and more, including the new single, “Where To Begin,” premiering today at all DSPs and streaming services. Written especially for Cameron Crowe’s 2005 film Elizabethtown – set in Kentucky and partially shot in MMJ’s hometown of Louisville – “Where to Begin” was among the first songs recorded by the band with then-new members keyboard player Bo Koster and guitarist Carl Broemel, the latter on stone-country pedal steel guitar. Listen to “Where To Begin” HERE.
“October 4 is the 20th anniversary of our album Z. It’s pretty wild to think about that,” says frontman Jim James. “To celebrate two decades of it being out in the ether, we’re excited to be turning five of our shows into special Z anniversary shows, where we’ll play that album – and some other songs, don’t worry – front to back.”
Named by Rolling Stone among “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” Z proved an immediate milestone for My Morning Jacket upon its October 4, 2005, release, earning worldwide critical applause for its ambitious fusion of sonic approaches, musical styles, and expressive songcraft. Co-produced with legendary British producer John Leckie – known for his work with XTC, The Stone Roses, and Radiohead, among many others – Z marked the band’s fourth studio album and first to feature its current, enduring lineup of James, keyboard player Bo Koster, guitarist Carl Broemel, bassist Tom Blankenship, and drummer Patrick Hallahan. From the radiant “Wordless Chorus” and big-riff crunch of “Gideon” to the astral-funk spinout, “Off the Record,” and improvisational thunder of “Dondante,” the album proved My Morning Jacket’s breakthrough, employing such surprising influences as dub, reggae, and electronica to create an awe-inspiring collection that wasn’t simply rock ‘n’ roll, yet in James’ words, “moved you like rock ‘n’ roll.”
2025 has seen My Morning Jacket continuing on its ever-evolving creative journey with their 10th studio album and first full-length new collection in more than three years, is, released back in March via ATO Records. Produced by 3x GRAMMY® Award-winner Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam), the album “is” sees the Louisville, KY-bred five-piece once again expanding the limits of their sound and elevating their artistry to unprecedented heights. Songs like the ravishing lead single, “Time Waited,” the larger-than-life anthem “Half A Lifetime” and the psychedelically propulsive “Squid Ink” represent some of the most masterfully realized work yet from a band fully committed to their belief in music as a conduit for revelation of all kinds.
My Morning Jacket have spent much of the past year marking the arrival of is with MY MORNING JACKET “is” ON TOUR, a momentous US headline tour set to resume August 5 at Bend, OR’s Hayden Homes Amphitheater and then continue through an August 22 show at Berkeley, CA’s famed Greek Theatre. The tour will then recommence October 8 at Washington, DC’s The Anthem and then travel through a two-night-stand at Atlanta, GA’s historic Fox Theatre on October 31 and November 1. Among this year’s other highlights, My Morning Jacket made an unforgettable return to their beloved Louisville, KY with “Come Home Again: A Celebration of Louisville,” a series of special events highlighted by a very special five-night stand at the famed Louisville Palace. April also saw My Morning Jacket performing three unique headline shows at the 2025 edition of “My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday,” a three-night music vacation set to return in 2027.
Critical acclaim for is:
“The quintet’s most vibrant album in two decades... the MMJ-O’Brien partnership builds some of James’ most accessible songs atop a rock-solid chemistry.” Uncut – 9/10
“My Morning Jacket have found fresh impetus with is... The big change here is their drafting in of an outside producer, Brendan O’ Brien, and a sharper focus on melodies.
The result successfully veers from radio-friendly gems Everyday Magic and Time Waited to free-styled riffer Squid Ink and bluesy closer River Road.” MOJO – 4 stars ****
“Gloriously melodic... Kentucky’s cosmic believers open up to new territory and emerge revitalised... a sense of dynamism is evident throughout... It’s cosmic ambitions channelled through
concise melodies and emotive intimacies, is sharpens MMJ’s songcraft to tangibly refreshed effect.” Record Collector – 4 stars ****
“The record unfolds elegantly... With the help of Springsteen producer Brendan O’Brien they’ve crafted their most focused, direct and unburdened collection yet.” Classic Rock – 8/10
“Alchemy permeates the album which draws from roots, rock and pop in equal measure. Producer Brendan O’Brien helps give a state-of-the-art 21st century sheen, be it on the fun,
pentatonic riffage of ‘Squid Ink’ or the piano-led balladry of ‘Time Wasted’, which stands out at as the album’s emotional centrepiece.” Shindig – 4 stars ****
Z 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition artwork and tracklist:
Original Tracklist - Remastered By Emily Lazar:
Wordless Chorus
It Beats For You
Gideon
What a Wonderful Man
Off the Record
Into the Woods
Anytime
Laylow
Knot Comes Loose
Dondante
B-Sides:
Where to Begin
Chills
How Could I Know (Oxen)
The Devil’s Peanut Butter
Wordless Chorus (Jim Demo)
It Beats For You (Jim Demo)
Laylow (Jim Demo)
Into the Woods (Band Dance Version)
Off the Record (Jim Demo)
Anytime (Jim Demo)
Knot Comes Loose (Jim Demo)
Dondante (Jim Demo)
Original Ending (Off the Record)
Where to Begin (Jim Demo)
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