Gov’t Mule

When Gov’t Mule released Heavy Load Blues in 2021, it was secretly half of a two-album project born during the pandemic. Recording at Power Station New England, the band tracked blues songs live in a small room while simultaneously crafting a separate rock album—Peace…Like a River (2023)—in a larger studio space. With about 40 new songs, Warren Haynes and the band created two sonically distinct albums by using completely separate gear, setups, and daily creative rhythms.

Peace…Like a River showcases Mule’s full range: concise songwriting blended with expansive instrumental passages, united by Haynes’ reflective, lockdown-era lyrics focused on growth and appreciation rather than pandemic gloom. Standout tracks include the opener “Same As It Ever Was,” the Beatles-inspired “Made My Peace,” the socially charged “Dreaming Out Loud” featuring Ruthie Foster and Ivan Neville, and the gospel-tinged “Just Across the River” with Celisse.

Guest appearances from Billy F. Gibbons and Billy Bob Thornton add texture, and the recurring themes of “peace” and “river” inspired the album title. Haynes describes the project as a return to the spirit of the ’70s—longer, adventurous songs with integrity—capturing the musical values that define Gov’t Mule.