A.J. Croce, son of the legendary Jim Croce, has returned with a brand-new album, Heart of the Eternal. This 11-track release follows his 2021 covers album By Request and marks his first collection of original songs since 2017’s Just Like Medicine.
Produced by Shooter Jennings, Heart of the Eternal blends a wide range of styles, from blues and psychedelia to Philly soul and Latin jazz-pop. Croce recorded the album at the historic Sunset Sound studio in Los Angeles while taking breaks from his long-running Croce Plays Croce tribute tour. The record also boasts an impressive lineup of musicians, including Steve Miller Band’s former drummer Gary Mallaber, longtime Dr. John bassist David Barard, and Grammy-winning guitarist James Pennebaker.
A Deep Dive into Heart of the Eternal
The album closes with a special duet titled “The Finest Line”, featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Margo Price. Another highlight is “Reunion”, a song Croce co-wrote with John Oates of Hall & Oates fame. Oates originally recorded the track for his own 2024 solo album, also titled Reunion.
Discussing the inspiration behind Heart of the Eternal, Croce reflected on music’s deeper connection to humanity:
“I’ve always felt that music is the heart of our humanity,” he shared. “It’s the purest way to connect to one another. Every songwriter I’ve ever met has told me that they don’t know where their greatest songs have come from. Maybe it’s our dreams or subconscious that allow us to draw from that eternal well of creativity. I don’t know the answer, but I’m always looking for it.”
He added:
“While stylistically diverse, this album is my search for the heart of the eternal.”
A New Single and Music Video
To celebrate the release of Heart of the Eternal, Croce has also unveiled a new music video for the album’s latest single, “Hey Margarita.”
Co-written with Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Gary Nicholson, the track carries a swampy, bluesy vibe. Croce explained the songwriting process in an interview with Garden & Gun, revealing that the music came first before he and Nicholson worked on the lyrics. Croce recalled:
“I met with Gary Nicholson on his back porch and played it for him.
“He told me he heard a name in the song, and I had just reread [the novel] The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. So I said, ‘How about a blues song about this character from a Russian novel?’ I would love for it to have been about a margarita that you might drink, but it’s about another Margarita.”
The “Hey Margarita” music video, shot in stylish black-and-white, features Croce and his band performing the song with raw, live energy. Fans can check out the clip on Croce’s official YouTube channel.
On the Road Again: Croce’s 2025 Tour
A.J. Croce recently wrapped up the latest leg of his Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour in January. This tour honored his late father’s music while also featuring select covers and original tracks from Croce’s own catalog.
In February, Croce hit the road again, this time to promote Heart of the Eternal. His new tour includes 30 confirmed dates across the U.S. and Canada, with shows scheduled through October 24 in New York City. While he still performs some of his father’s classics, this tour places a greater focus on his own material.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Heart of the Eternal and the accompanying tour offer a fresh glimpse into A.J. Croce’s evolving artistry—honoring the past while continuing to carve out his own musical legacy.
Check out A.J. Croce’s Heart of the Eternal track list below:
“I Got a Feeling”
“On a Roll”
“Reunion”
“Complications of Love”
“Didn’t You Want That Too”
“Hey Margarita”
“Turned Around”
“The Best You Can”
“So Much Fun”
“All You Want”
“The Finest Line” (featuring “Margo Price)