Ween founder — formerly known as Gene Ween — has returned to his birth name, Aaron Freeman, and is taking on a fresh, sober perspective with his self-titled debut. The opening track “Covert Discretion” addresses Freeman’s drug and alcohol-induced public meltdown that eventually led to the breakup of the beloved ’90s avant-prog-rock heroes. He reveals: “I’ll be blacked out for the night / In the morning I can’t remember a thing / I’m on the bus now / They won’t look at me.” Since Freeman has gone to rehab, gotten clean, and now lives in Woodstock, NY, where he teaches kids guitar at the Academy of Rock.

In some ways Freeman is a continuation of Ween, but with additional mainstream appeal. (Think Paul McCartney post-Beatles.) The album delivers artful songcraft with subtly offbeat hooks; it’s lush contemporary pop for fans of classic rock. While the 14 track full length contains charming phrases for the masses, die hard Ween fans can still enjoy quirky experimentalism via “El Shaddai” or the mind-warping psychadelia of “Golden Monkey.” Listen to Freeman’s entire post-Ween brainchild below along with upcoming tour dates.

Tour Dates:

July 22 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

July 23 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All RIght

September 4-7 – Arrington, VA @ Lockn’ Festival

September 5 – Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Festival

September 17 – Boston, MA @ Sinclair

September 18 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

September 19 – Rochester, NY @ Lovin’ Cup

September 20 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

September 24 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall

September 25 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall

September 26 – Minneapolis. MN @ Turf Club

September 27 – Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room

September 30 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement

October 1 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillbox

October 2 – Washington, DC @ Rock N Roll Hotel

October 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

October 4 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

October 23 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds

October 24 – Dallas, TX @ The Loft

October 25 – Austin, TX @ Parish

October 28 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah

October 30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy

October 31 – San Francisco, CA @ Independent

November 1 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir

November 2 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor

November 4 – Missoula, MT @ Top Hat

November 5 – Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room

November 6 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird

November 7 – Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room