Mason Jennings Embraces Collaboration On New Album ‘Dark Wings,’ Lets Lead Single Fly

By Scott Bernstein Apr 29, 2026 • 2:02 pm PDT

Mason Jennings detailed his 18th album, Dark Wings, set for release July 10 on Loosegroove Records. The Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter also unveiled “Say Goodbye To The Ground,” the 11-track record’s lead single, along with an accompanying video.

Jennings took a looser, more collaborative approach to the follow-up to 2025’s Magnifier than on many of his past albums. The 51-year-old musician worked hand in hand on Dark Wings with drummer Scott McPherson (Elliott Smith, Beck, She & Him). The pair were joined in McPherson’s design workshop, which was transformed into a studio, by Aaron Featherstone. The recording engineer tracked and mixed the sessions.

Those sessions took place between November 2024 and February 2026. McPherson called upon a rotating cast of musician from his wide creative circle to give the recordings a spontanteous, communal feel.

“Dark Wings was a new kind of approach for me. My drummer friend Scott McPherson, who has played with everybody, had a studio space where his company McPherson Goods made bags and clothes. It was a Willy Wonka-type scene with all sorts of vintage instruments, machinery, antiques, and folk art,” Jennings recalled.

“Scott decided it would be fun to try something different, so he had his engineer friend Aaron Featherstone bring in his studio gear, turning the shop into a temporary recording studio. The vibe was cool. Once we started tracking, I was stoked on Scott’s production and Aaron’s engineering, so I kept writing without ever having a clear intention for what we were creating. Scott is friends with tons of musicians, and he invited a great cast of characters to come play on the songs. My favorite tracks from these sessions ultimately became this album.”

Mason Jennings came away with what is described in press materials as his “most emotionally mature and sonically textured record to date.” The material finds Jennings getting more vulnerable and more human than ever as he went through a tumultuous period.

“These last couple years have been destabilizing and challenging for most of us. In times of stress and grief and anger I continue to turn to, and have great faith in, the Creative Spirit and the power of hope and love in the human heart,” added Jennings. “That’s what this album is a result of and a testament to.”

Out now is “Say Goodbye To The Ground,” the album’s lead single and opening salvo. Mason Jennings channels Tom Petty, Jason Isbell and Cracker on the hard-charging track about love’s power to endure. Watch the Regan Hagar-directed “Say Goodbye To Ground” video below:

Dark Wings Tracklist

1. Say Goodbye to the Ground
2. State of the State
3. Sacred Heart
4. If
5. Eagle
6. Bone Walks Alone
7. Dark Wings
8. Wild Oceans
9. Try Me
10. Crimson Cross
11. Spirit Mountain