''Defiant'' is the twenty-first

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by Scottish-born, Australian musician

Jimmy Barnes James Dixon Barnes ( Swan; born 28 April 1956) is an Australian rock singer. His career, both as a solo performer and as the lead vocalist with the rock band Cold Chisel, has made him one of the most popular and best-selling Australian music a ...

, announced on 25 February 2025 and released on 6 June 2025. About the title, Barnes said: "It's no secret that this has caused me some problems over the years, but I've finally learned how to turn my stubborn Scottish streak into something positive – something that helps me survive. I didn't set out to do it deliberately, but now that the album is finished, I can see there's a recurring theme about the satisfaction you can get from fighting back. That's why it's called ''Defiant''." The album will be supported with a six-date national tour, commencing in June 2025 in Adelaide. The support act will be Taylor Sheridan.

Singles

Upon announcement of the album, Barnes released the two lead singles "New Day" and "Beyond the River Bend". "The Long Road", "Defiant" and "That's What You Do for Love" were released prior to the album.

Reception

James Jennings from ''

Rolling Stone Australia ''Rolling Stone Australia'' is the Australian edition of the United States' ''Rolling Stone'' magazine devoted to music, politics, and popular culture, published monthly. The Australian version of ''Rolling Stone'' was initially published in 197 ...

'' called it "a collection of rock 'n' roll belters that ranks up there with his best". Bernard Zuel from ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'' said "This makes for an album that could hardly be said to break new ground or reach stellar heights. But it's also true that it nails the essentials of Jimmy Barnes – and even more so, the Jimmy Barnes that people wanted to hear in the good and the bad times almost half a century ago." Sean Bennett from ''The Rock Pit'' said "Throughout the album we find punchy rockers that light up your ears". Bennett named "Never Stop Loving You" as the standout track. Darryl Sterdan from ''Tinnitist'' said "These are clearly the songs of a man who still has a point to prove: raw and inspiring. And he is in career-best voice — riding and driving an emotional rollercoaster from soothing croons to wailing abandon. They are the sounds of a singer who has finally arrived at the point of complete instrumental control."

Track listing

# "That's What You Do for Love" ( Michael Paynter) – 5:24 # "New Day" (

, Paynter) – 3:42 # "Beyond the River Bend" (Barnes) – 4:29 # "Never Stop Loving You" (Guy Davies) – 6:42 # "Defiant" (Barnes, Paynter, Benjamin Rodgers) – 3:50 # "The Long Road" (Barnes, Paynter) – 3:47 # "Damned if I Do, Damned If I Don't" (Barnes) – 4:12 # "Dig Deep" (Barnes, Davies) – 4:11 # "Nothing Comes for Nothing" (Barnes, Don Walker) – 3:40 # "Sea of Love" (Barnes) – 4:09

Charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2025 albums Jimmy Barnes albums Mushroom Records albums