Liberation signifies a defining moment in ZZ Ward’s career and a bold rebirth with Sun Records. Emerging from a transformative chapter in her life, the album navigates the complexities of motherhood and artistic freedom. As a mother, ZZ explores the delicate balance between nurturing family and pursuing personal and creative growth. And after a decade spent under the thumb of major label constraints, where industry pressures often led her away from the very sound that shaped her, ZZ decided to take a risk. That risk proved to be a reward, reclaiming her creative independence and resulting in an album that reverberates with authenticity.
“It’s just such a magical highlight,” she said in an ABS interview. Continuing, “For me, everything I’ve been through in my career and personal life, I think to decide to take a risk and really kind go back to a love of the blues, to have Sun work with me — I could never have imagined this could happen at this point in my career… When I listen to the Sun playlist now, I’m just so happy that I’m connected to that level, especially what they stand for. I think it’s really special that I can be part of that relaunching.”
By eight years old, ZZ was already singing, her voice fueled by the melodies of her father’s vast blues collection, and by 12, she was captivating audiences in local clubs. Despite achieving commercial success—her debut album charting on Billboard’s Top 40 and her sophomore effort soaring to #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart—she couldn’t shake the yearning to reconnect with the music that had always felt like home. “The first song I think I ever recorded was like Albert King’s ‘The Years Go Passing By.’ So, for me it just feels so natural for me to sing the blues, to play the blues and the language of the blues on stage,” she tells us.
Liberation is the album she feels like she was born to make. “I knew I wanted to go further into the blues and soul that raised me but not until now did I feel confident and free.” As for the title track, she explains, “‘Liberation’ is a song that I wrote about taking charge of making your own decisions and recognizing seeking outside approval only keeps you further away from following your heart.”
ZZ set out to create a music video for “Liberation” that embodied freedom and openness. Directed by Adam Ward and flmed against the backdrop of downtown LA’s streets and rooftops, the video’s striking visuals and the city’s expansive spaces reflect the emotional depth of the track. She sings with the deep, resonant warmth of a contralto, yet with impressive flexibility, seamlessly transitioning into higher registers.
ZZ Ward – Tour Dates:
Friday, March 14 – Ridgefield, CT – The Ridgefield Playhouse @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 15 – New York, NY – City Winery New York City @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 16 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery Philadelphia @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 18 – Annapolis, MD – Maryland Hall For the Creative Arts @ 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 19 – Alexandria, VA – Birchmere @ 7:00 PM
Friday, March 21 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 22 – Kent, OH – The Kent Stage @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 23 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, March 25 – Indianapolis, IN – The Tobias Theater @ 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 26 – Chicago, IL – City Winery Chicago @ 7:00 PM
Friday, March 28 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 29 – West Saint Paul, MN – Fitzgerald Theatre @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 1 – St. Louis, MO – City Winery St. Louis @ 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 2 – Kansas City, MO – Madrid Theatre @ 7:00 PM
Friday, April 4 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 5 – Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 6 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 8 – New Orleans, LA – Chickie Wah Wah @ 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 9 – Memphis, TN – Hernando’s Hideaway @ 7:00 PM
Friday, April 11 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery Atlanta @ 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 12 – Nashville, TN – City Winery Nashville @ 7:00 PM
For more information and to purchase tickets, head here.
