Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Be Afraid | Track Review

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit return with the authentic, thoughtfully penned, “Be Afraid,” the promo single from their 2020 LP, Reunions. 

After a three-year hiatus, Grammy-winning rock/Americana collective Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is back with a brand-new album, Reunions.  Reunions arrives May 15, led by the must-hear single, “Be Afraid.” The question is, who is Isbell urging to ‘be afraid’ and what exactly is he urging said people to ‘be afraid’ of? Let’s dig in and see what the singer/songwriter extraordinaire is getting at, shall we?

First and foremost, cutting straight to the chase, “Be Afraid” is quite successful. One of the reasons “Be Afraid” is successful is because Jason Isbell is incredibly authentic and relevant.  Isbell speaks on the importance of using the artistic platform properly – conveying what’s happening in the world and ultimately being courageous in sharing your voice, even if it’s scary. He urges, “Be afraid, be very afraid / But do it anyway / Do it anyway.” Beyond the chorus, there are some other lyrical gems. Isbell brings personal aspects in, such as his daughter, who he’s mentioned in the past.  Also, he embraces musicians being activists in a number of instances.  “We don’t take requests / We won’t shut up and sing,” he sings, adding, “Tell the truth enough you’ll find it rhymes with everything.” Perhaps my personal favorite comes later:

“And if the words add up to nothing then you’re making a choice
To sing a cover when you need a battle cry.”

Final Thoughts 

Jason Isbell never fails to impress.  “Be Afraid” is another example of such impressiveness, as he makes it clear musicians have a responsibility to stand up for right, share their believes, and be authentic as opposed to fake.  “Be Afraid” is thoughtfully penned, well-performed, and a perfect song for times such as these.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit • Reunions • Southeastern • Release: 5.15.20

Photo Credit: Southeastern