On March 15, J Mascis, the eardrum-demolishing guitar hero of Dinosaur Jr. who also rips classic rock and doom metal in his side-projects Sweet Apple and Witch, will do the unthinkable: He’ll release a collection of gentle acoustic folk songs, called Several Shades of Why (via Sub Pop). Hear the entire album in the widget below!

Several Shades of Why finds Mascis exploring a different kind of heavy. Introspective and aching, the 45-year-old alt-rock vet’s songs address love, anxiety, and growing old in his world-weary voice that’s finally out from behind the curtain of distortion.

Mascis’ solo debut features guests Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), and Philadelphia psych rocker Kurt Vile.

Listen to the LP, then tell us what you think in the comment section below.

LISTEN: J Mascis, Several Shades of Why

