From the quiet hills of Jackson, Kentucky, Shouse emerges after 15 years with Jaded, a triumphant instrumental album that blends technical brilliance with raw emotion. His story is one of perseverance; surviving a house fire, heartbreak, and the pandemic and channeling it all into a cathartic and masterfully crafted record. Joined by an elite cast—Michael Angelo Batio, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Tony MacAlpine, Charlie Zeleny, and James Amhelio Pulli, Shouse delivers a record brimming with energy, precision, and heart. Mixed and mastered by Billy Decker, the production captures every intricate layer with clarity and punch.
The curtain rises with “Romeo and Juliet – Prelude,” a delicate, romantic phrasing and a subtle introduction that lays down a tragicomic tone, much like Shakespeare’s timeless tale. It’s tender yet foreboding, suggesting that what follows will balance beauty and heartbreak in equal measure.
Then comes the eruption “Romeo Is Gone” (feat. Michael Angelo Batio). With Batio’s fiery, unmistakable shredding alongside Shouse’s melodic dexterity, this track feels like a duel between fate and passion. The interplay between guitars is searing, evoking the recklessness of young love and the devastation of its loss.
A somber, introspective piece that drips with atmosphere. Here, Shouse leans into haunting harmonic minor passages and chilling progressions in “A Bitter Cold” mirroring the emotional frost of isolation. The restraint in the playing makes its moments of intensity all the more piercing.
If the previous track froze us, “Let’s Go” (feat. Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal) sets fire again. With Bumblefoot adding his unorthodox, technical flair, this one bursts with playful swagger and bursts of chaos. It’s a rallying cry, an anthem of movement, and one of the most exhilarating moments on the album.
With a name that nods to modern irony, “Smiley Faced Emoji” blends quirky motifs with dazzling technical runs. The upbeat veneer masks a complexity underneath—over 70 key changes across the record shine brightest here. It’s Shouse’s wit and humor written in notes.
Mechanical, raw, and muscular. “Bucket of Bolts” rattles like machinery brought to life, with grinding riffs and pulse-pounding rhythms. Zeleny and Pulli’s rhythm section is especially prominent, anchoring the whirlwind of fretboard wizardry above.
The title track, “Jaded” is the heart of the record. With more than seventy key changes, it’s a breathtaking odyssey. Moving fluidly between major and harmonic minor, it paints an emotional portrait of exhaustion, renewal, and ultimate strength. This is Shouse at his most daring—restless, relentless, and cathartic.
Gentle and reflective, “Memoriam” slows the pace to honor what has been lost. It’s not just a track; it’s an elegy, a moment of stillness where the weight of Shouse’s personal journey is deeply felt. His guitar weeps and consoles simultaneously.
The finale, “Upon Looking Back” (feat. Tony MacAlpine) is celebratory and bittersweet. MacAlpine’s signature phrasing intertwines with Shouse’s melodies in a reflective dialogue between past and present. The track feels like closure—not just for the album, but for Shouse’s long-awaited return. It looks backward with gratitude and forward with resolve.
This is an instrumental record that never leaves us yearning for lyrics because every note speaks with intention. Shouse’s guitar is the narrator, commanding with fluidity, precision, and emotional weight. The guest soloists elevate rather than overshadow, each leaving their stamp while respecting the album’s core narrative. Zeleny’s drumming is both surgical and explosive, Pulli’s basslines thunder with authority, and Decker’s mix and master ensure clarity without sacrificing warmth. The production glows—tight, dynamic, and larger-than-life, giving each song the stage it deserves.
Jaded is not just a comeback album; it’s a manifesto of perseverance. Shouse proves that time away can sharpen rather than dull an artist’s edge. With technical wizardry, emotional depth, and collaborations that feel less like features and more like kindred spirits gathering, this album sets a new standard for modern instrumental rock.
Listen to the “Jaded” album on Spotify
Follow Shouse here for more information
