Singer and guitarist Samantha Fish rocks so hard, we simply couldn’t wait one more day to hear her new album, Wild Heart.  And as a little thank you for your love, loyal Elmore readers, now you won’t have to wait either. That’s right, today we bring you an exclusive stream of the Samantha Fish album, which won’t officially be released until tomorrow, July 10th, via Ruf Records. We’d say “you’re welcome,” but really, we’re all winners here.

Wild Heart is Fish’s third studio release, so it isn’t her first time in the spotlight. Her 2011 release, Runaway, led to her winning Best New Artist Debut at the Blues Music Awards, and 2013’s Black Wind Howlin’ was equally well received. For her latest effort, the well versed rocker recruited some major-league help, including Luther Dickinson, the lead guitarist and vocalist of the North Mississippi Allstars, who not only plays on the record, but also took the reins as producer. Grammy winning drummer Brady Blade rounds out the trio, and guitarist Lightnin’ Malcolm and drummer Sharde Thomas contribute their talents with special guest appearances.

Fish’s rich and sultry voice transitions seamlessly between genres, starting with full throttle anthems that hiss with growling rock & roll swagger, like the zero to sixty album opener “Road Runner.” Though Fish’s wailing guitar and thundering drums are a trademark of her rock persona, she slinks easily into other American styles, such as her swampy foray into the blues with her cover of Charley Patton’s “Jim Lee Blues Pt. 1.” Fish also doesn’t shy away from tenderness, channeling big emotions on slowed down tracks such as the beautiful “Go Home.”

Remarkably, Fish’s new album isn’t just great despite the contradictions; it’s actually the easy, sometimes cheeky juxtaposition of songs that makes it such a fun listen. For the final two cuts on the record, Fish throws out a searing wailer, “Bitch On The Run,” perhaps a tribute to her wild success as a woman in a man’s world. “Welcome to the hustle,” she sings, “Nothing comes for free.” But she closes out the album with a sensual Junior Kimbrough cover that carries a far different message, “I’m In Love With You.”

For Samantha Fish, contrast isn’t strange, it just works. We’re all gloriously complex human-beings after all, and with Wild Heart, Fish seems to revel in the big, loud, complex mess she’s made… as well she should.

Stream Wild Heart below, and pre-order a copy before the July 10^th release  here.

– Emily Gawlak