My Morning Jacket’s Jim James has announced his second solo project, Eternally Even, out later this fall. The album, produced by James himself and Fiona Apple/Jenny Lewis/Alabama Shakes collaborator Blake Mills, is more political than any of his music up to this point. That it will be released during the final week of frenzied buildup before election day is no accident. Here’s what James had to say about his inspiration and vision for the album:

I wanted to make an album that hopefully speaks to the issues of the day, many of which, sadly, are issues we have been dealing with since the beginning of time. Most of what I think about right now is how so many things in the world are SO fucked up — our political system is broken and corrupt…our earth is being destroyed by climate change…people are not treating each other with equality and respect… and I think — are we going to make it? Are we going to figure it out and fix it before it’s too late? Can we ever truly open our hearts and embrace love in all its beautiful forms? I think it’s still possible. I still have hope in humanity. I’m just trying to be a part of the discussion and encourage people to speak out for equality, to not be afraid to speak out for peace and love. All of us feel afraid at times in these absolutely insane times, but its important we speak our minds, cast our votes, and do not give in to fear and hatred.

The announcement of the followup to 2013’s Regions Of Light And Sound Of God comes along with dates for a new solo winter tour. Check out an album trailer and the tour dates below.

Tour dates:
09/28 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s
09/29 Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theatre
09/30 San Francisco, CA @ Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
10/01 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore Auditorium
11/15 Boston, MA @ Royale
11/16 Boston, MA @ Royale
11/18 Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philly
11/19 Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
11/20 New York, NY @ Terminal 5
11/22 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
11/23 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
11/25 Louisville, KY @ Palace Theater
11/26 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
11/27 Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater
11/29 Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant
11/30 Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
12/01 Minneapolis, MN @ State Theater
12/03 Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
12/05 Missoula, MT @ The Wilma Theatre
12/06 Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
12/07 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
12/10 Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
12/11 Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
12/13 Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Live
12/14 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
12/16 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
12/17 New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre

Eternally Even is out 11/4 via ATO/Capitol Records.