Acoustic instruments and ambient textures define New World Lonely Ride

Michael Grigoni and Pan American released their first collaborative album, New World, Lonely Ride, on April 4, 2025 via the independent label Kranky. The album features instrumental pieces that incorporate elements of bluegrass, folk, country, and blues, combined with ambient electronic components. Contributions include Michael Grigoni on pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar, and dobro, and Mark K. Nelson (Pan American) on guitar, mandolin, and synthesizer.

Title: New World Lonely Ride
Artist: Michael Grigioni Pan American
Release Date: 2025-04-04
Genres: Ambient, Experimental Music, Folk Rock
Label: Kranky Records
Description: New World Lonely Ride by Michael Grigoni and Pan American was released on April 4 2025 by Kranky and combines ambient textures with American folk traditions.

The album addresses contemporary themes such as isolation, disconnection, and political fragmentation in the United States. These topics are conveyed through the use of traditional American musical forms and modern ambient structures. The title New World, Lonely Ride refers to the album’s focus on emotional and social experiences within the current American context.

Michael Grigoni is an academic and musician. He holds the position of Assistant Professor of Religion at Wake Forest University, where he teaches courses in religion, ethics, and politics. Grigoni received his education from Duke University and Harvard Divinity School. His academic research applies ethnographic methods to examine the connections between religion, politics, and everyday life in the United States.

Mark K. Nelson, under the name Pan American, has released several works combining ambient, electronic, and experimental music. He is also a founding member of the band Labradford, active since the early 1990s.

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