Play Robert Plant's Saving Grace on Repeat

Photo by Tom Oldham

When an iconic musician drops a new album with a new band and an old sound that soothes the soul, you stop and listen. Saving Grace, the debut from Robert Plant’s new collaborative band, is that record. Nearly six decades into his career, Plant is still exploring new artistic territory, and this one you’ll want to play it on repeat.

Plant never expected another album. As he revealed on the Rockonteurs podcast, “This day was never going to come, because originally it wasn’t going to come. No more records, that’s it.” He was content simply playing live when he wanted, without the pressure of making new music. But working with the musicians who would become Saving Grace changed that. Their chemistry and shared love of revisiting and reinterpreting songs reignited his creative spark, turning what began as casual jam sessions into an album six years in the making.

Musically, Saving Grace blends folk, blues, and Americana. Plant describes the record as “a song book of the lost and found,” capturing both nostalgia and a fresh, vibrant energy.

The band includes vocalist Suzi Dian, drummer Oli Jefferson, guitarist Tony Kelsey, banjo and string player Matt Worley, and cellist Barney Morse-Brown. Plant even steps back from leading every song, allowing the ensemble to shine.

Earlier this week, Plant appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to discuss the album and, naturally, J. R. R. Tolkien. The interview mixed reflection and humor, with the charm that has made Plant a captivating figure for decades.

Saving Grace is touing across Europe and North America this fall, with stops in Knoxville, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and throughout the UK. The band will play intimate theaters, but none in the tri-state area in the near future. Hopefully in 2026!

In the meantime, enjoy every track on Saving Grace. It's a must-listen. Give yourself time to take it in, then hit repeat.

Until next time, peace.