Over the past few years, through songs such as “Son of a Sinner,” “Need a Favor” and his latest “I Am Not Okay,” Jelly Roll has served as a chronicler and salvo for many who have faced a number of afflictions, be it depression, addiction, anxiety, broken hearts or shattered dreams. His latest, the hard-charging “Dead End Road,” serves as the most recent release from the 29-track Twisters: The Album soundtrack.
“I’m just a blood-stained, folded hands/ Throwin’ back the milligrams,” he sings in “Dead End Road,” acknowledging the incessant tug to live life on the edge, regardless of the consequences. Jelly Roll (real name Jason DeFord) wrote “Dead End Road” with Jaxson Free, Taylor Phillips and Brock Berryhill.
Jelly Roll’s newly released contribution to the Twisters: The Album soundtrack follows a steady slate of songs from the country-music-packed soundtrack. Luke Combs launched it earlier this year with the song “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” while artists including Bailey Zimmerman, Miranda Lambert, Conner Smith and Megan Moroney are also featured on the set.
Twisters, which releases July 19, connects to the ’90s hit movie and centers on a retired tornado chaser/meteorologist who returns to following tornadoes across Oklahoma. The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos.
The release of Jelly Roll’s song just before the movie’s release is appropriate, given that the Tennessee native’s ascendance to a top-tier act shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He’s notched four No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits, and he’s expanded his 2024 headlining Beautifully Broken Tour, which runs through November and features an array of openers, including Warren Zeiders, Billboard Hot 100-topping artist Shaboozey, Ernest, Alexandra Kay and Allie Colleen. Earlier this year, Jelly Roll also celebrated a Grammy nomination for best new artist, as well as a Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for “Save Me” with Lainey Wilson.
Watch the video for Jelly Roll’s “Dead End Road” below: