Jimmy Barnes' Defiant: Roaring Back with an Awesome Album

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Few voices in rock command the kind of reverence Jimmy Barnes has earned over decades—and Defiant, his 21st studio album, proves that fire still rages.

Released on June 6, 2025 via Mushroom Records, this is Barnes’ first full album of original material since 2021’s Flesh and Blood.

But don’t expect nostalgia. Defiant doesn’t look back. It leans in.

Across 10 groovy-as-all-heck tracks, Barnes explores love, survival, hard lessons, and second winds. He calls it Defiant for a reason.

As he told TheMusic.com.au, “Nobody lives this long without copping some knocks… but I’ve never liked to take a backward step.”

Jimmy Barnes: A Voice That Refuses to Fade

At 68, Barnes has nothing left to prove—but plenty left to say.

On Defiant, his vocals are nothing short of astonishing.

The NZ Herald captures it perfectly: “Barnes’ heavenly freight train of a voice is still as impeccable as it was when he started with Chisel.”

That blend of raw power and seasoned control defines this album’s emotional weight.

Whether he’s belting out arena-sized choruses or delivering a weathered whisper, Barnes sounds alive, awake, and unafraid.

A Track-by-Track Story of Resilience

Defiant opens with “That’s What You Do For Love,” a track that sets the tone with chunky guitars and a soulful, almost gospel-touched melody.

It’s romantic but grounded, reflecting the sacrifices that real relationships require. Barnes isn’t interested in fairy tales—only hard-earned truth.

“New Day,” the album’s lead single, is already being hailed as an anthem of perseverance. Rolling Stone Australia described it as “an anthem of renewal,” a song that channels hope without ever sounding saccharine.

With its bright tempo and resilient message, it’s tailor-made for live shows and tough mornings alike.

Then comes “Beyond the River Bend,” a spiritual slow burn that feels like a nod to The River-era Springsteen—wide, spacious, and honest. Barnes sings of memory and mortality without losing forward momentum.

“Never Stop Loving You” brings back the personal edge.

Its ballad-like structure and bare-bones instrumentation let Barnes’ voice take center stage, and he delivers it with a quiet ache that lingers.

The title track, “Defiant,” hits hardest.

Musically, it’s punchy and urgent, with a roaring chorus that sounds like a declaration of war on despair.

It’s also one of the album’s most personal moments. When Barnes sings, “I don’t need a reason to keep getting up,” you believe him.

This is an artist who’s fought for every note.

Other standouts include “The Long Road,” which pairs acoustic roots with soaring choruses, and “Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don’t,” a bluesy rocker that feels like something pulled from a smoke-filled pub stage in 1985—except sharper.

“Dig Deep” acts as a kind of mantra, its pulsing rhythm mirroring the persistence at the album’s core.

“Nothing Comes for Nothing” is blunt and biting, offering no easy wins, just lived-in wisdom.

The closer, “Sea of Love,” might sound like a lullaby, but it’s deeply reflective—a final exhale after the emotional trek.

Critical Praise Meets a Devoted Audience

Critics across Australia and New Zealand are giving Defiant the kind of reviews that most artists only dream of in their 20s, let alone their third act.

NZ Herald praises its “performance-ready ballads and class-act storytelling.”

Rolling Stone Australia notes that Barnes still commands “raw and wailing abandon.”

Even more importantly, fans are responding. Pre-orders pushed the album into charts before release, and Barnes’ upcoming tour is already selling out in Australia and New Zealand.

If You’re New to Jimmy Barnes, Start Here

If Defiant is your first encounter with Jimmy Barnes, it’s an awesome entry point.

But to fully appreciate it, check out:

Flesh and Blood (2021) — another deeply personal album about family, legacy, and loss
Freight Train Heart (1987) — a high-octane ‘80s rock record filled with passion
Working Class Man (1985) — the quintessential Barnes record and a piece of Aussie rock history

Fans of Bruce Springsteen, John Farnham, Joe Cocker, or Bryan Adams will feel right at home here.

Final Verdict: Jimmy Barnes’ Defiance Is the Point

Jimmy Barnes didn’t need to make another record—but Defiant proves why he still does. This is more than a comeback. I

t’s a statement: pain doesn’t mean you’re finished. It means you’ve got more to sing.

Whether you’ve followed Barnes since the Cold Chisel days or you’re just now discovering that thunderous voice,

Defiant delivers. It’s not only a must-listen for fans—it’s a blueprint for how to age with power and purpose in rock music.

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