There is no better way to kick off the new year than with new tunes… especially if those tunes are pretty damn good. For the past week we’ve been diggin’ into Kip Bradley’s debut solo full-length, ‘Hunky Diamond,’ which basically has been on repeat since we first dug in.

Kip, who is also the frontman for Chattanooga’s SharkWeek, has taken a break from heavier riffs and howls, showing us a chiller, softer side, switching to an Americana vibed sound with slight nods to his Rock n ‘Roll roots. The first single from ‘Hunky Diamond’ is called ‘Split Wide’ and is about as uptempo and heavy as the album gets.

Stream that track below as well as a video sampler of the LP that features solo live takes as well as recorded tracks from the album with narratives scripted by Clark Williams of Big Kitty. No word yet on when the LP will drop, but till then, these few things below will hold you over. All we know is we hope this record gets pressed on wax, it’s definitely vinyl worthy:

Also, catch Kip live thought-out Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia during his Winter Southeast tour:

1/10 – Smith’s Olde Bar – Atlanta, GA

1/17 – JJ’s Bohemia – Chattanooga, TN

1/21 – The Stone Fox – Nashville, TN

1/24 – The Nick – Birmingham, AL

1/29 – Normaltown Hall – Athens, GA