Fruit Bats fans, the wait is over: Baby Man, Eric D. Johnson’s newest offering under the long-running moniker, is out today via Merge Records. Listen to the album wherever you stream music, or snag a copy on CD or LP from the Merge store. Colored vinyl aficionados can find a band-exclusive translucent blue edition at the Fruit Bats webstore.
What critics are saying about Baby Man:
“His most raw and personal album yet.” —Glide Magazine
“This album reshapes Johnson’s place in the indie folk constellation, offering a brave and intimate sonic journey.” —Americana UK
“An impressive display of unfettered emotionality.” —Uncut
“This isn’t just another Fruit Bats record; it’s a deep dive into the raw, unadorned core of Johnson’s songwriting.” —KLOF
The full scope of Baby Man is staggering, the raw-nerve immediacy of Johnson’s lyrics heightened by the space that opens up around him when Fruit Bats’ trademark kaleidoscopic sound is pared down to his guitar, piano, and vocals. He and producer Thom Monahan—back behind the boards on a Fruit Bats album for the first time since 2019 breakthrough Gold Past Life—build cathedrals in that space, paying close attention to his skillful playing and pushing his voice to explore entirely new sonic horizons.
The resulting album is at once intricately crafted and bracingly vulnerable, capturing Eric D. Johnson at his most human and at the peak of his powers, the clearest document yet as to his standing as one of our greatest singer-songwriters. Fruit Bats fans will soon have an opportunity to experience Baby Man and other beloved songs from Johnson’s catalog in exquisite detail as he embarks on a solo tour this fall. Tickets are on sale now and moving quickly—don’t miss out!
Fruit Bats on tour:
Oct 16 Ojai, CA – Ojai Valley Woman's Club (Solo)
Oct 17 Los Angeles, CA – Pico Union Project (Solo)
Oct 18 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel (Solo – two shows)
Oct 20 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater (Solo)
Oct 22 Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House (Solo)
Oct 23 Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse (Solo) [SOLD OUT]
Oct 24 Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music (Solo) [SOLD OUT]
Oct 25 Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music (Solo) [SOLD OUT]
Oct 27 Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark (Solo)
Oct 29 Toronto, ON – Longboat Hall (Solo) [SOLD OUT]
Oct 30 Buffalo, NY – The Ninth Ward (Solo)
Nov 01 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (Solo)
Nov 02 Cambridge, MA – Sinclair (Solo)
