Kurt Vile & The Violators | Indie

Released in 2026, the 250th anniversary of America's founding in Kurt Vile's beloved city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia's Been Good to Me features one of our country's greatest songwriters making his mark on his hometown. "This is my record to bring it all back to Philly," says Vile. "I'm treating it like my last one. I put everything into it. It's my best vocal album. It's my best electric guitar album. It's my most organic album, recorded in the comfort of my own zone."

Largely self-produced, with assistance from Adam Langellotti, keyboard virtuoso Matthew Jugenheimer, drummer Kyle Spence, guitarist Jesse Trbovrich and longtime Violators engineer Rob Schnapf, the album embodies Vile's understanding of music as a dialog between people across time and space. The title track is an ode to his hometown, which is also a tribute to Tom Petty's homage to California. The rousing song Chance to Bleed features guest appearances by Memphis veterans Natalie Hoffman and Greg Cartwright, but is most notable for a music video proudly filmed at Philly club Kung Fu Necktime and featuring a guest appearance by local legend Schoolly D. You Don't Know Cuz It's My Life is Kurt's version of a stadium anthem, which builds to a relaxed yet triumphant chorus: "I'm from Phil-a-del-phiaaaaaaah!", which you can well imagine a crowd of Eagles fans screaming along to as they raise their Twisted Teas to the sky.

Philadelphia's been good to me is the sound of Philly's indefatigable hitmaker coming back to turn it up a notch, kick the haters and go all out for the City of Brotherly Love - all in the style of Kurt Vile and sounding more relaxed than ever. Between America's 250th anniversary and hosting select World Cup matches, 2026 promises to be a big year for Philadelphia. "And then there's one more thing," Vile says. "I have to be that third thing. Because I am Philadelphia. I have to claim that for myself. I have to rise to the occasion."