Stream Freeman’s introspective self-titled debut via Spin

Founder of surreal pop-rock band Ween and formerly known as Gene Ween, Aaron Freeman is releasing his latest LP this summer; a sorta-self-titled record from his newest project, Freeman. It’s his first release since 2012’s Marvelous Clouds, a tribute to Rod McKuen, and this album is his first since disbanding Ween and getting sober. Freeman explains why he broke up Ween by saying “If I hadn’t left my partnership, there wouldn’t be anything,” he explains. “I’d probably be dead too. I know that at the end of the day, this is the best thing I could’ve done for me and for every Ween fan.”

The lyrics are more personal, like on “Covert Discretion” where Freeman talks about his experience as a part of Ween. In a recent interview with Newsweek, Freeman stated that one of his influences for the album was Paul McCartney. The warm pop on Freeman does have a McCartney vibe to it, especially on “The English and the Western Stallion”. However, Freeman also channels some classic Ween sounds,  which is prominent on “(For A While) I Couldn’t Play My Guitar Like a Man“. Then there are the more experimental pieces like “El Shaddai” and “Golden Monkey”. Overall, Freeman has created a continuation of Ween.

Freeman will be leading a song-writing session through the Rock Academy, where he currently teaches in August before embarking on a tour in support of Freeman. Catch Aaron Freeman at Johnny Brenda’s October 3rd. Get more details here. Stream Freeman via Spin and listen to “The English and Western Stallion” below.