Rock icon Robert Plant is stepping back into the spotlight with the release of Saving Grace, his first solo album in eight years. Best known as the legendary voice of Led Zeppelin, Plant continues to expand his musical journey, blending his past with fresh creative directions. The new record, due out Friday, marks the singer’s 12th solo effort, not including his Grammy-winning collaborations with bluegrass star Alison Krauss.
The album takes its name from Plant’s current backing band, Saving Grace, much like his 2010 release Band of Joy, which was also named after the group he performed with at the time. Saving Grace brings together an eclectic lineup of musicians: Suzi Dian on vocals, Oli Jefferson on drums, Tony Kelsey on guitar, Matt Worley on banjo and strings, and Barney Morse-Brown on cello. Together, they weave elements of Americana, folk, and blues into a sound that feels both rooted and exploratory.
Saving Grace features a mix of covers and reinterpretations, highlighting Plant’s deep appreciation for musical history. Standout tracks include a rendition of “Can I Do It For You” by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy, the duo who originally recorded “When the Levee Breaks,” later made famous by Led Zeppelin. The record also covers Moby Grape’s “It’s a Beautiful Day Today,” Blind Willie Johnson’s gospel blues classic “Soul of a Man,” and Low’s “Everybody’s Song,” which serves as the album’s lead single. Traditional folk staples like “I Never Will Marry” and “Gospel Plough” also get a fresh, modern twist.
Critics have already praised the album’s layered sound, with Ultimate Classic Rock noting that it “brings a more European aesthetic to their take on American roots.” At 77, Plant continues to defy expectations of veteran rock stars by avoiding nostalgia and instead pushing his artistry forward. The album stands as proof that he remains one of the rare artists of his era who refuses to rest on past achievements.
Plant, who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Led Zeppelin, has built a career spanning decades of innovation and reinvention. While Zeppelin’s legacy looms large with songs like “Whole Lotta Love” and “Stairway to Heaven,” Plant has carved out a distinct path of his own. With Saving Grace, he reinforces his reputation as a fearless explorer of sound, bridging generations while staying true to his creative instincts.
