Lucinda Williams Announces New Experimental Record, ‘Ghosts of Highway 20′

It's only been one year since Lucinda Williams released her double album, Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, which won the Album of the Year at the Americana Music Awards. But the 62-year-old isn't taking a break; rather, she's prepping the release of her 12th studio album, Ghosts of Highway 20.

Highway 20, also known as Interstate 20, is a 190-mile highway that runs from Texas to South Carolina -- and between the two states, I-20 hits the northern part of Williams' home state of Louisiana, as well as Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. On the new record, the highway is a common thread woven throughout.

A press statement reveals that "12 of the 14 songs were inspired by various periods and experiences throughout Williams’ life that all tie into Highway 20." The narratives include areas that Highway 20 travels through, to which the singer-songwriter has personal connections, including cities she's resided in, familial experiences and more. While the record's jumping-off point is geographic location, the songs delve deeply into people, places and snapshots of memories.

Two covers will be included on Williams' new album: Bruce Springsteen's "Factory" and Woody Guthrie's "House of the Earth," the latter of which features lyrics by Guthrie and music by Williams. A complete track listing has not yet been released.

Ghosts of Highway 20 will show a new side of Williams; it's "expansive and experimental." Guitarists Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz are featured on the record, which was co-produced by Williams, Leisz and Tom Overby and recorded with Williams’ familiar entourage of Butch Norton (drums) and David Sutton (bass). Guitarist Val McCallum guests on two tracks.

The record is scheduled to drop on Feb. 5, 2016, via Thirty Tigers.