Unvarnished

Unvarnished is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, released on September 30, 2013, through Blackheart Records.^[1] Produced primarily by Joan Jett and longtime collaborator Kenny Laguna, the album marks the band's first studio release in seven years and features contributions from artists including Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on the track "Any Weather (606 Version)" and Against Me! singer Laura Jane Grace as co-writer on "Soulmates to Strangers."^[2][3] The record consists of ten original tracks that blend the band's signature hard rock sound with more introspective lyrics reflecting Jett's experiences as a maturing artist in her mid-50s.^[4] Key songs such as "Hard to Grow Up" address themes of aging and responsibility, while maintaining the energetic, straightforward style reminiscent of Jett's 1980s classics like I Love Rock 'n' Roll.^[5][4] Recorded across multiple studios including Studio 606 in Los Angeles, the album's production emphasizes raw, unpolished energy true to its title.^[6] Upon release, Unvarnished debuted at number 47 on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' first album to chart since The Hit List in 1990.^[7] Critics praised its return to form, with The Fire Note awarding it 3.5 out of 5 stars for delivering classic-sounding rock that is fun and replayable.^[4] The album also received positive reviews for its lyrical depth and Jett's enduring vocal power, solidifying her status as a pioneering figure in rock music.^[4]

Background and Recording

Album Development

On August 1, 2013, Joan Jett announced Unvarnished, her first studio album in seven years following Sinner (2006), through a statement covered by The Hollywood Reporter.^[8] The project marked a return after a recording hiatus largely dedicated to extensive touring and other endeavors, including performances with acts like the Foo Fighters.^[9] Jett's motivations centered on recapturing her raw, unpolished rock roots, channeling personal hardships such as the loss of her parents and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy into an authentic, emotionally vulnerable collection.^[10] She described the album as her most autobiographical work, stripping away gloss to emphasize life's heavier themes like fragility, responsibility, and resilience, while overcoming a period of creative block.^[11] Songwriting was led by Jett, her longtime collaborator Kenny Laguna, and band members including Thommy Price and Dougie Needles, who co-wrote and produced several tracks, ensuring a cohesive punk and hard rock foundation.^[10] Key external contributions included Dave Grohl, who co-wrote the single "Any Weather"; and Laura Jane Grace, who co-wrote "Soulmates to Strangers."^[11][1] The initial song selection process prioritized new originals that reflected Jett's punk and hard rock influences, focusing on themes of personal growth and societal critique to create a unified, band-driven sound.^[11] Development spanned from 2011 to 2013, allowing time for these collaborations to evolve.^[9]

Recording Process

The recording of Unvarnished spanned from 2011 to 2013, marking Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' return to the studio after a seven-year absence from releasing a full-length album.^[12][13] Primary sessions occurred at Germano Studios in New York City, with additional recording taking place at locations such as Cloud 9 Recording in Central Islip, New York, and Jett House in Long Beach, New York.^[14][15] The track "Any Weather (606 Version)" was separately recorded at Foo Fighters' Studio 606 in Los Angeles, featuring Dave Grohl—also a key songwriting collaborator—on drums.^[15][16] Production was overseen by Joan Jett and longtime collaborator Kenny Laguna, with Thom Panunzio serving as engineer and providing additional production; the team emphasized a raw, energetic aesthetic to evoke the band's live concert energy.^[17][18] Among the challenges was integrating remote guest contributions, such as Grohl's drum track from Studio 606, while preserving a unified hard rock tone across the album despite the extended development period.^[15][13]

Music and Lyrics

Musical Style

Unvarnished is primarily characterized as a hard rock album infused with punk and garage rock elements, representing a return to the raw, aggressive style that defined Joan Jett's early career with The Runaways and her initial solo efforts.^[6] The sound emphasizes high-energy riffs and a stripped-back aesthetic, evoking the rebellious spirit of 1970s punk while incorporating the anthemic drive of 1980s hard rock. This approach distinguishes it from more polished productions in Jett's discography, prioritizing grit over gloss to recapture the immediacy of live performances.^[19] The album's instrumentation centers on prominent electric guitars and driving drums, which provide a propulsive backbone throughout its 10 tracks, clocking in at a concise 35:46 runtime. Jett's signature raspy vocals cut through the mix with unpolished intensity, delivering a vocal presence that feels both timeless and urgent. A notable exception appears in the ballad "Fragile," where strings add a layer of emotional depth, contrasting the otherwise guitar-dominated palette. Production techniques favor a minimalist approach, with mixing that avoids excessive polish to maintain an "unvarnished" authenticity and amplify the band's live-like energy.^[6][19] Influences from Jett's punk roots are evident in the album's raw aggression and straightforward song structures, while echoes of stadium rock shine through in its larger-than-life choruses. Modern touches emerge via collaborations, such as the co-writing of opening track "Any Weather" with Dave Grohl, which injects contemporary rock vigor into the proceedings. These elements collectively underscore a sonic palette tied loosely to personal reflection in the lyrics, without compromising the album's hard-edged focus.^[10][6]

Themes and Songwriting

The album Unvarnished explores a range of introspective and socially observant themes, drawing heavily from Joan Jett's personal experiences as she navigated mid-career reflections and life changes. Central to the record is the theme of aging within the rock music landscape, particularly in "Hard to Grow Up," where Jett confronts the emotional weight of maturity, loss, and the reluctance to relinquish youthful rebellion after the deaths of her parents, emphasizing the bewilderment of assuming adult responsibilities.^[9] Relationships and vulnerability form another core pillar, as seen in "Soulmates to Strangers," which laments the erosion of intimate connections, and "Fragile," a poignant meditation on the precariousness of life and love amid personal grief.^[9] Societal critique emerges in "Reality Mentality," a sharp rebuke of reality television's superficiality and cultural obsession with contrived drama, such as "Real Wives" shows, reflecting Jett's frustration with modern escapism.^[10] Empowerment resonates in "Bad as We Can Be," an anthem celebrating unapologetic defiance and rediscovering passion in partnerships, blending rebellion with relational renewal.^[2] Jett's songwriting on Unvarnished maintains her signature autobiographical style, infusing lyrics with raw, lived narratives that evolve from the youthful exuberance of her earlier work to more seasoned introspection on love, loss, and resilience. Co-writes introduce diverse perspectives, enriching the album's emotional depth; for instance, collaboration with Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace on "Soulmates to Strangers" incorporates influences on themes of undervalued bonds, informed by Grace's experiences as a transgender artist.^[2] This approach allows Jett to balance solitary reflection with external insights, fostering tracks that feel both intimately personal and universally relatable. The song "TMI" extends this critique to digital oversharing, decrying social media's invasion of privacy and the pressure on artists to broadcast every detail of their lives.^[10] Original songs like these merge deep introspection with high-energy anthems, creating a dynamic tension that underscores Jett's enduring punk ethos. Structurally, the tracks adhere to classic verse-chorus formats, featuring memorable hooks crafted for audience participation during live performances, which aligns with Jett's history of crowd-engaging rock shows. Most songs clock in at 3 to 4 minutes, maintaining a tight, radio-friendly pace that amplifies their thematic punch without diluting the raw energy.^[6] This design supports the hard rock instrumentation, ensuring the lyrical narratives drive forward with propulsive momentum suitable for both intimate reflection and stadium-sized sing-alongs.^[20]

Release and Promotion

Album Release

Unvarnished was released on September 30, 2013, through Blackheart Records, the independent label founded by Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna in 1980.^[21][20] The album marked Jett's return to new material after a seven-year gap since 2006's Sinner.^[6] The standard edition consisted of 10 tracks available on CD and digital download formats.^[1] A deluxe edition, including a Best Buy exclusive version, featured bonus live tracks recorded during 2013 performances, such as "Bad Reputation," "Cherry Bomb," "TMI," and "I Hate Myself for Loving You." An expanded digital edition added demos like "Different (Demo Version)."^[22][23] Vinyl editions were also issued, with the LP released on October 22, 2013.^[24] Distribution emphasized the U.S. market through a partnership with INgrooves, while international availability was facilitated via regional deals, including releases in Japan and Europe.^[25][1] The album packaging adopted a minimalist, gritty aesthetic, with cover artwork centering Jett in a stark, unpolished portrait that echoed the title's raw theme.^[26] Promotional efforts highlighted singles like "Any Weather," a collaboration with Dave Grohl.^[20]

Singles and Marketing

The lead single from Unvarnished, "Any Weather" (co-written with Dave Grohl), was released in August 2013 and debuted live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on August 8. An official music video for the track, directed by Kevin Kerslake, followed in October 2013 and depicted Jett confronting harsh weather elements to underscore themes of enduring love. Additional promotion included radio airplay for "Hard to Grow Up" starting in October 2013 and a digital release for "Soulmates to Strangers," both aimed at building anticipation around the album's September 30, 2013, launch. Marketing campaigns featured a full album stream exclusively on the USA Today website beginning September 25, 2013, allowing fans early access to all tracks five days prior to release. Efforts also emphasized Jett's lasting relevance in rock through targeted social media outreach. To support promotion, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts embarked on a U.S. tour spanning late 2013 into 2014, incorporating new songs from Unvarnished into sets and including high-profile festival appearances such as Riot Fest in Chicago on September 13, 2013, where the band's high-energy live performances highlighted the album's raw vitality.

Reception and Performance

Critical Reception

Upon its release, Unvarnished received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its return to Joan Jett's raw rock roots after a seven-year gap between albums.^[6] AllMusic awarded it 3.5 out of 5 stars, highlighting the album's energetic diversity spanning bluesy soul, reggae-inflected pop, and straightforward rock, describing it as an "astonishing range" that reaffirms Jett's vitality.^[6] Similarly, Paste Magazine rated it 7.4 out of 10, commending Jett's timeless punk attitude and the album's ’50s-inspired energy, even amid personal themes like loss and resilience.^[27] Critics frequently lauded the raw production and Jett's powerful, authentic vocals, which cut through with gut-driven intensity on tracks like the ballad "Everybody Needs a Hero."^[27] The opener "Any Weather," featuring drums by Dave Grohl, stood out for its anthemic, ripping quality and forward momentum, capturing the band's signature rowdy catchiness.^[27][28] Some reviewers offered mild criticisms, noting that the album occasionally lacks the assertive edge or innovation of Jett's 1980s peak, with vocals sometimes feeling understated compared to her more aggressive early work.^[28][29][30] Overall, the consensus positioned Unvarnished as a solid comeback that affirms Jett's enduring relevance in her mid-50s, evoking the spirit of her classic albums like I Love Rock 'n' Roll through its unrefined, heartfelt rock.^[6][27][4]

Commercial Performance

Unvarnished debuted at number 47 on the US Billboard 200 chart in October 2013, selling 7,500 copies in its first week.^[31][32] The album also performed strongly on genre-specific charts, reaching number 5 on the Independent Albums chart and number 15 on the Top Rock Albums chart. Internationally, Unvarnished entered the Australian Albums Chart at number 102 but saw no significant placements on major European charts. In the years following its release, the album maintained modest yet consistent sales primarily through independent distribution networks, without earning any RIAA certifications, which underscores its dedicated following within the niche rock community.

Track Listing and Credits

Track Listing

The standard edition of Unvarnished features ten tracks, blending punk-rock energy with reflective ballads.^[1] The deluxe edition includes the standard tracks plus bonus tracks: "I Know What I Know," "Seriously," "Different (Demo Version)," and "Any Weather (Blackhearts Version)."^[23] The standard edition runs for a total of 35:46, with sequencing designed to progress from high-energy openers like "Any Weather (606 Version)"—featuring guest drums by Dave Grohl—to more introspective closers such as "Everybody Needs a Hero."^[6]

Personnel

Musicians

• Joan Jett – lead vocals, rhythm guitar^[2]
• Dougie Needles – guitars^[2]
• Thommy Price – drums, percussion^[1]
• Acey Slade – bass^[1]
• Joey Vasta – additional bass^[1]
• Dave Grohl – all instruments (track 1: "Any Weather (606 Version)")^[2]
• Jesse Levy – cello, string interlude arrangement, conductor (tracks 6: "Fragile", 10: "Everybody Needs a Hero")^[15]
• Olivia Koppell – viola (tracks 6, 10)^[15]
• Gerard Reuter – oboe, English horn (track 10)^[15]

Production and Technical Staff

• Joan Jett – producer^[2]
• Kenny Laguna – producer^[2]
• Dave Grohl – additional production (track 1)^[15]
• Thom Panunzio – additional production, recording, mixing^[15]
• Carianne Brinkman – executive producer^[14]
• John Lousteau – recording engineer (track 1)^[14]
• Ken Dahlinger – mixing (select tracks)^[14]
• Kenta Yonesaka – engineer^[1]
• Greg Calbi – mastering^[17]
• Shepard Fairey – artwork^[1]