Black Stone Cherry has been one of America’s most consistent Hard Rock bands since releasing their debut self-titled album nearly 20 years ago. A band that has stood strong with a passionate approach to their music that is genuine and never follows trends, in 2026, they return with new music, but not in the form of an album, but instead an EP called Celebrate.
The band’s follow-up to 2023’s Screamin’ at the Sky, and their first EP-format release since 2019’s Black to Blues, Vol. 2, this is a good way to shake things up, especially in a stream-first, modern culture. With that in mind, news first came down in September 2025 about the new EP, with the release of the lead single, “Neon Eyes.” From here, releasing the title track in November, Celebrate arrives on March 6, 2026, via Mascot Records. Complete with 7 songs, this hard-nosed, soulful collection illustrates why the Kentucky foursome remains the gold standard for Southern-infused Hard Rock.
Completed at High Street Studios in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the group’s chemistry is undoubtedly its most essential asset, rooted in the powerhouse lineup of Chris Robertson on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Wells on rhythm guitar, John Fred Young on the drums, and Steve Jewell Jr. on bass. As a unit, they thrust forth a sound that feels not only massive enough for arenas, but also intimate enough for a backroads dive bar.
Opening with the title track, “Celebrate,” this sets a defiant tone for the overall EP. It is a staccato-filled uproar that focuses on the resilience needed to simply make it through a single day. Robertson’s vocals are as gravelly and soulful as ever, bounding over a rhythmic stomp that sounds like a call to arms for anyone struggling with the weight of the world. It is less of a party song and more of a trip to victory lane for the survivors.
Following that intensity may seem like a fruitless task, but the second track delivers on this challenge, as the aforementioned lead single “Neon Eyes” shifts into a high-gear groove. Surrounded by an infectious, looping noodle, the song captures the band’s contagious, party-atmosphere energy. It balances the scales with a more melodic verse supported by a bombastic chorus that seems bespoke for summer music festivals. The dancing and weaving between the guitars of Robertson and Wells provides a luscious, thick texture that has morphed into the band’s signature sound.
Moving forward, “I’m Fine” is perhaps the most compelling moment on the EP. It sits heavily on a gritty ‘Grunge’ aesthetic, combining a woozy, almost inebriated alternative atmosphere with the group’s hard rock foundation. There is an obvious homage to the ’90s Seattle sound in the verses, though the chorus returns to the heavy, anthemic hooks that Black Stone Cherry fans have come to expect. It shows a willingness to bravely experiment with different Rock genres without sacrificing the core foundations they have built such an incredible fanbase around.
Then, even more surprisingly, closing Celebrate is an ambitious cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” featuring sparkling guest vocals from Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman. While a 1980s Pop Rock classic might seem like an odd choice for a Southern Rock band, they completely transform it into something entirely their own that will do nothing but delight any listeners fortunate enough to listen to this album. By injecting fuzzy, intense guitars and a buffed-up rhythm section, they turn the synth-heavy classic into an electrifying Hard Rock staple. The vocal trade-offs between Robertson and Connolly add a growling layer to the chorus, ending the EP on a high-octane note of nostalgia.
In short, the Celebrate EP serves as a churning, energetic reminder of why Black Stone Cherry remains a force in the Modern Rock world. By weaving together their signature Kentucky unyielding power with surprising grunge undertones and a massive, arena-ready cover, the band proves they are far from stationary. It is a record that pays homage to their roots while displaying a restless creativity, leaving the listener with a sense of purging that only honest, bellowing, and soulful Rock-n-Roll can truly provide. For long-time fans and new listeners alike, this collection is a testimony to the band’s enduring chemistry and their ability to find bright light in the heavy sounds of life. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Black Stone Cherry’s Celebrate 5 out of 5 stars.
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