Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. has announced a new EP, Blankets, and released his moving interpretation of Nirvana’s ‘Something In The Way’. Arriving on August 29 via Big Loud Records, the four song EP will also feature covers of Temple of the Dog’s ‘Hunger Strike’, The Postal Service’s ‘Clark Gable’ and The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Tonight, Tonight’.
About ‘Something In The Way’, Wilson Jr. explains, “I used to listen to this song 100 times a day. There was ‘something in the way’ it was recorded. Kurt sang it laying down on his back, not an easy thing to do. It’s magic. There’s also something in the way that he transported this hillbilly kid from southern Indiana to Seattle, Washington.”
Earlier this year, Rolling Stone featured Wilson Jr. in their Future of Music print issue, including him in their Future 25 list of artists who have them excited for the future. In a wide-ranging profile, Rolling Stone’s Joseph Hudak called him “one of country music’s most electrifying new artists.”
In May, he released the ‘Star Spangled Banner (Live from the 2025 NFL Draft)’ on streaming platforms following his “understated but hypnotic” (Rolling Stone) performance of the national anthem at this year’s NFL Draft. He also released the gritty music video for ‘Cuckoo’ starring HARDY + Joey Breaux, as well as a deluxe edition of søn of dad, his critically-acclaimed debut double album, featuring two new tracks taken from his viral Live at the Print Shop performance – the moving dedication to his late father ‘I’m A Song’ and a gripping reinterpretation of Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’ – and 10 acoustic versions of fan favorites from the LP.
In 2024, Wilson Jr.’s career skyrocketed with his late night television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, followed by performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series and Later… with Jools Holland. Last fall, CBS News’ Jeff Glor traveled to Nashville for Wilson Jr.’s first major television interview, which was followed by a performance of three songs on CBS Saturday Morning.

1. Something In The Way
2. Hunger Strike
3. Clark Gable
4. Tonight, Tonight