Blues-rock guitarist and singer Jared James Nichols will release his fourth studio album, Louder Than Fate, on June 5 via Frontiers Music Srl. The album is available to pre-order now.
Alongside the album announcement, Nichols has shared the new single “Pretend”, which is out now on all streaming platforms.
Louder Than Fate is Nichols’ most direct and confident record to date. Rooted in blues-driven hard rock, the album leans on strong riffs, groove-led rhythms, and clear songwriting. It reflects an artist working with focus and intent, without excess.
“I’ve been counting down the days to release this record,” Nichols says. “There are plenty of riffs, but there’s also more range in the songwriting. I wanted to show different sides of myself and give the listener something deeper.”
The new single “Pretend” sets the tone. Built on heavy guitar and a tight rhythm section, the song looks at relationships that exist on surface feeling rather than substance. “Sometimes a relationship is all smoke and no fire,” Nichols explains. “That’s what this song is about.”
The album was produced and mixed by Jay Ruston, known for his work with Anthrax, Stone Sour, and Steel Panther, with additional production from Roger Alan Nichols. The result is a clear, punchy sound that keeps the performances front and centre. Tracks such as “Bending or Breaking” and “Killing Time” add subtle keyboards and string arrangements, expanding the sound without losing impact.
Since his debut, Nichols has built a reputation as a powerful live performer with a distinctive guitar tone and a direct connection to the blues-rock tradition. He has toured widely across the US and Europe and continues to grow his audience with each release.
Louder Than Fate presents Jared James Nichols at his most focused. It is a record shaped by experience, commitment, and belief in the songs themselves.
