Jarrod Gorbel Released First Solo Album
The former The Honorary Title singer debuted his new record at a performance in Williamsburg.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Alternative
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Musician Jarrod Gorbel has released his debut solo album, Devil's Made a New Friend, marking a transition from his previous emo style. The 31-year-old artist celebrated the launch with a comeback performance at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.
Why it matters
The record serves as a pivotal shift for Gorbel, who aimed to move away from his past public image by crafting a collection of mellow and melodic songs. This project signifies his emergence as a solo act following the dissolution of his former band.
The debut album, Devil's Made a New Friend, features 10 tracks and holds a total runtime of 40 minutes. The 31-year-old artist produced the work in collaboration with Blake Sennett, who contributed as a vocalist and guitarist.
The players
Jarrod Gorbel
He is a 31-year-old musician and the former frontman of the indie rock band The Honorary Title.
Blake Sennett
He is a musician and producer who collaborated on the album as a vocalist and guitarist.
Hanson
They are a pop rock band that will feature Gorbel as an opening act on their upcoming national tour.
The Honorary Title
This was the indie rock band previously led by Gorbel before they disbanded in 2009.
The details
Produced by Blake Sennett, the album represents a deliberate stylistic pivot toward a prettier and more mellow sound. Gorbel showcased these new tracks during his return to the live stage at The Knitting Factory in Williamsburg.
Timeline
November 2009: The Honorary Title performed their final show.
September 15, 2026: Jarrod Gorbel played his comeback show at The Knitting Factory.
Fall 2026: Jarrod Gorbel is scheduled to join Hanson for a national tour.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows the 2009 dissolution of The Honorary Title, marking the artist's first major independent creative venture since that event. It reflects a broader trend of lead singers from mid-2000s indie bands transitioning into solo projects to pursue distinct, mellowed stylistic identities.
Fans can now stream or purchase the 10-track album to experience Gorbel's new musical direction. Those interested in seeing the artist live can look for tickets as he prepares to join the upcoming national tour with Hanson this fall.
The takeaway
Gorbel's transition signals that artists from the mid-2000s emo era are successfully diversifying their sound for modern audiences. Listeners should look for the debut single Ten Years Older to understand the shift in the artist's aesthetic approach.
What happens next
Jarrod Gorbel is set to embark on a national tour alongside the band Hanson starting in the fall of 2026.
Further reading
Explore more music news in the Alternative section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC New York.
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