Marc Broussard’s new studio album, Time Is a Thief, finds the acclaimed singer/songwriter delivering an infectious ten-song set filled with gritty, rootsy hooks and dancefloor grooves, all wrapped around Broussard’s fervent vocals. Produced by Grammy-winning guitarist/songwriter/producer Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) and Grammy-nominated producer/guitarist Jeremy Most (Emily King), Time Is a Thief has a funky, soulful sound and is wonderfully layered with diverse sonic textures that distinguish it from Broussard's previous recordings. His first album of new music since 2017’s Easy to Love, Time Is a Thiefwill be released on September 27 via his Artist Tone Label.
Time Is A Thief arose out of Broussard’s unique collaboration he forged with longtime friend and co-writer Krasno along with J. Most. Broussard explains, “I wanted to work with Jeremy, but he is notoriously difficult to engage. After a couple of years of trying, I moved on. Eric and I had known each other for 20 years when I called him to produce the record. I mentioned that I had a batch of songs and wanted to write with him to ‘get the juices flowing.’ Within a week, he and I had written the whole record!” When it came time for Broussard to begin recording in L.A., luck or fate stepped in. On Broussard’s last call with Krasno to finalize plans, Krasno mentioned that Most was his house guest, and he would ask if he’d like to work with them. “When Kraz confirmed J was in,” says Broussard, “It was like the universe had just winked at me that everything was gonna be alright. I get to work with two of my favorites.”
Krasno and Most served a pivotal role in helping to realize Broussard’s vision for his new album, with their multi-faceted skills not only as producers but also playing nearly all the instruments on Time’s ten tracks.
Time Is A Thief opens with two early Broussard/Krasno co-writes – the horn-blasted, Al Green-esque “Fire” and the gritty yet smooth “Mood” – which both were released as singles in 2022. Broussard credits his songwriting work with Krasno, who wrote or co-wrote eight of the ten tracks, for giving a sense of continuity to Time Is A Thief. “My records, aside from some of the cover albums, tend to be a little scatterbrained at times,” Broussard states, “I’ve never been one to pigeonhole myself, so my writing tends to wander in different directions. Krasno is more deliberate, and all his writing feels like a natural extension from one to another. It’s the first time in my career that I feel like I’ve made an album with a well-defined character that is easily identifiable upon first listen.”
“Way You Shine,” written by Eric Krasno, is the album’s latest single. The song features danceable rhythms propelled by a thumping bassline that gradually builds around Broussard’s expressive vocals and Krasno’s sinewy guitar. Listen to the song here.
“Give You The World,” the uplifting single released last month, centers on the theme of giving without measure. Co-written by Broussard, Travis Meadows and Alphonse Ardoin, it exudes a soulful Caribbean groove that showcases Broussard’s impassioned vocals and heartfelt lyrics, culminating in a celebratory chorus.
Broussard’s seductive crooning is hard to resist as he pleads his apologies on the slow burning rhythm of “You Deserve More Than I,” another co-write by Broussard, Meadows and Ardoin. The funky 70s-era guitar riffs fuel “Cold Blooded” and “Hard Times,” with the latter tune also marvelously evoking Broussard’s admiration for such music icons as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield. A Latin jazz-inspired trumpet solo punctuates the title track, “Time is a Thief,”while the electronicpercussions that drive the relentless rhythm in “Stay Still” complement Broussard’s express desire. The mix of Krasno’s blazing guitar solo and Most’s dark-infused piano lend a haunted, noirish quality to “Carry My Name.”
Time Is a Thief follows Broussard’s 2023 chart-topping philanthropic release, S.O.S.4 Blues For Your Soul, his collaboration with Joe Bonamassa. The distinctive collection of blues and soul classics debuted at the top of the Billboard Blues Albums Chart.
A tour in support of Time is a Thief kicks off on October 2 with a string of European dates. U.S. shows will be announced at a later date. Broussard is currently on his extensive 2024 nationwide tour, which includes headlining shows, the second leg of his Carencro 20th anniversary shows, and festival appearances, including the Las Vegas Big Blues Bender festival on September 8 and the Telluride Blues and Brews festival on September 15.
