Lawrence Rothman released their fifth studio album, Here Lies Love / Sawdust to Stardust, on September 25, 2026, marking the final chapter of a conceptual Americana trilogy. The record serves as the culmination of a five-year musical narrative that began with 2021’s Good Morning, America and continued through 2024’s The Plow That Broke the Plains.
Recorded at the historic Sound Emporium in Nashville with additional sessions in Biarritz, France, the album features Rothman in the role of both artist and technician. They produced and mixed the project entirely themselves, maintaining the same hands-on approach that has made them a sought-after producer for artists like Angel Olsen, Charli XCX, and Soccer Mommy.
The 2013 Encounter That Defined a Career
The fluid, genre-defying nature of Rothman’s career can be traced back to a pivotal encounter in 2013. During the recording of the single “Montauk Fling,” David Bowie visited Rothman’s studio. The meeting resulted in a piece of advice that Rothman has cited as a career-long mandate.
According to The Guardian, Bowie told Rothman that it was “OK to be messy,” encouraging the artist to embrace multiple personas and switch musical styles whenever inspired. This liberation allowed Rothman to move away from the pressure of a singular brand, eventually leading to the atmospheric country and folk textures that define their recent trilogy.
Collaborations and Technical Craft
While Here Lies Love / Sawdust to Stardust is a deeply personal conclusion to their country-focused era, the album is heavily bolstered by a cast of high-profile collaborators. The opening track, “The Meaning,” was co-written with Madi Diaz and explores themes of finding purpose in a chaotic life. The album also features a collaboration with Jason Isbell, further cementing Rothman’s standing within the modern Americana landscape.
Other contributors to the record include Amanda Shires, Katie Pruitt, Sarah Klang, and Jillian Jacqueline. Americana UK reports that the album’s dual title reflects its split nature, balancing traditional songwriting with more experimental, “dusty” arrangements.
This balance of roles—the meticulous producer and the “messy” artist—has become Rothman’s signature. Their recent production work for Margo Price and Amanda Shires often mirrors the sonic depth found in their own solo output. With the conclusion of this trilogy, Rothman effectively closes a chapter on the Nashville-rooted sound that has defined their work since 2021, leaving the door open for the next genre-shift Bowie once encouraged them to take.
