After a series of stellar singles shared leading up to the album’s big release, the day has finally come where Great American Racer have given us their self-titled debut record. We are loving it! Read on as we share our complete thoughts on the album, as well as a background on the band.

Great American Racer is the brand new studio project from Pennsylvania singer and songwriter, Jake Dryzal. Although primarily known for his work under the alias Blue Navy and with the post-metal project Pallor, Dryzal's music as Great American Racer channels the sounds of '70s folk rock, glimmers of Bruce Springsteen, and contemporary dream pop. His self-titled debut album, released through Erie-based label Prodigious Productions, is a concept album about the heroin and opioid epidemic that has devastated Rust Belt America, particularly Dryzal's hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It perfectly encapsulates the well rounded feeling that a full album should, and with that, we’re so excited to recommend it to everyone for a listen.

Recorded between 2019 to 2022, Great American Racer is a powerful and timely record that explores the struggles of Johnstown's population with substance abuse, drawing parallels between the town's diminishing industries and its population's addiction crisis. Dryzal's songwriting is poignant and empathetic, weaving together the personal and the political to create a gripping and emotional narrative.

Musically, Great American Racer draws on a wide range of influences to create a cohesive and unique sound. From the dreamy guitars and inspired voice via the opener "Desire" to the driving rhythms and catchy hooks of "Porches" the album's songs are expertly crafted and immaculately performed. Dryzal's voice is strong and versatile, equally at home on the tender ballads and the rousing anthems. Overall, Great American Racer is an impressive debut from a talented artist. Its exploration of the opioid epidemic is an incredibly difficult theme to tackle, yet he paints pictures in your mind effortlessly. The musical soundscapes are rich, rewarding, and resemble the seriousness of the messaging. Dryzal's ability to blend different genres and sounds into a cohesive whole is a testament to his skill as a songwriter and musician. Great American Racer is a must-listen for fans of thoughtful and socially conscious music.

You can immediately feel the love and passion that went into this, that’s quite apparent, but it also has us longing for what a follow up might sound like. We’ll be patiently waiting for the day, but in the meantime, please check out those links below in order to listen, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for all updates.

Listen to Great American Racer

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Great American Racer excels on deeply personal self-titled debut album