40

Released in 2019 to mark the 40th anniversary of the band's formation, '40' represents the first studio recording from the original Stray Cats lineup in over 25 years. Recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, the album was produced by Peter Collins and engineered by Vance Powell, who utilized vintage equipment to capture the band's live-in-the-room chemistry. Sonically, the album bridges the gap between the raw rockabilly revivalism of their 1981 debut and the more sophisticated songcraft Brian Setzer developed with his Orchestra. The record avoids the 'greatest hits' trap by offering twelve original tracks that explore various facets of the genre, from the surf-inflected 'Desperado' to the bluesy 'That's Messed Up.' Critically, it was lauded for its authenticity and the undiminished technical skill of the trio, particularly Setzer's guitar work which remains a benchmark for the genre. It stands as a definitive late-career statement that reinforces their status as the premier architects of modern rockabilly.