Mike Zito announces “Outside Or The Eastside”
Multiple Blues Music Award winner and Billboard chart-topping blues artist Mike Zito is returning to his roots with the announcement of his new album Outside Or The Eastside out April 24. Recorded at Shock City Studios in St. Louis, the project marks Zito’s fourth solo album for Gulf Coast Records and represents another major chapter in his long-running career.
The album carries strong ties to the city where Zito’s musical journey began. Returning to St. Louis for the recording sessions allowed the guitarist and songwriter to reconnect with the places, people, and experiences that shaped his gritty blend of blues rock, soul, and deeply personal storytelling. Thirteen years after the release of Gone To Texas, the new record reflects a full-circle moment for the artist as he revisits the streets and memories that influenced his music while embracing a new chapter in life.
Across the album, Zito explores themes of reflection, resilience, and redemption. The songs offer vivid snapshots of city life and personal reckoning, with narratives that range from late-night regret to the hard truths of addiction and survival. Tracks such as “Downtown At Midnight” confront broken trust and the consequences of addiction, while “Grand Avenue” captures the everyday rhythms of St. Louis, where struggle, humor, music, and perseverance exist side by side.
The album’s title track reflects the energy of the city after dark, exploring the choices people face between temptation and escape. Throughout the record, Zito balances raw honesty with compassion and perspective, delivering songs that combine emotional weight with driving blues rock swagger.
“It was a different recording process on this album,” says Zito. “Normally I’d practise restraint, but when tracking my guitar takes, I found myself thinking no—I can do more!”
At its core, Outside Or The Eastside is a celebration of second chances. The record is dedicated to better days, family, friendship, love, and the joy found in everyday moments. While the album reflects on difficult chapters of the past, it ultimately embraces optimism and connection, showing an artist moving forward with renewed purpose.
Outside Or The Eastside will be released worldwide via Gulf Coast Records in partnership with Proper Music Group, SoNo Recording Group, and Virgin Music Group. The album will be available in multiple formats including a deluxe gatefold CD, an electric blue double-vinyl edition, digital download, and on major streaming platforms.
TRACK LIST
Outside Or The Eastside
Don’t Take Advantage Of Me
Kiss You All Over
Downtown At Midnight
Grand Avenue
Too Broke To Spend The Night
Just Like I Treat You
Down Don’t Bother Me
Do I Move You
Close To You
The Blues Lover
