The critically acclaimed guitarist and singer Ana Popovic, who lives in Los Angeles, will release her highly anticipated album Dance To The Rhythm (Electric Heel Records) on September 26, 2025. The album, produced by Popovic and Buthel, showcases a groundbreaking fusion of groove, blues, funk, and soul.
Building on the success of her previous work, Dance To The Rhythm breaks boundaries and seamlessly connects infectious dance grooves (“Dance To The Rhythm” / “Sho Nuff”) with raw blues guitar and powerful lyrics. From the soulful “Soul’ution” to the funky “Hottest Ticket In Town” and the bluesy “Dwell On The Feeling” and “California Chase,” the album weaves a rich tapestry of musical styles that reflects Popovic's masterful versatility. The track “Sisters and Brothers” recalls an arrangement by Steely Dan, while “Hurt So Good” brings a contemporary mainstream flair. The ultimate jam comes in the form of a clever reinterpretation of Paul Simon's “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”
Ana says: “One of my greatest strengths on stage is my ability to get people to dance. Music should take you to a place where you can let go, feel the groove, and move. You want music to grab you, to have a pull you can’t resist. – Everything else revolves around that. Blues guitar has never really been a part of dance music until now, and in that regard, it is revolutionary. The guitar plays a central role in these tracks, breaking through the boundaries created by time, culture, and musical traditions. With this album, I am pushing those boundaries.” For Ana, the blues guitar is the foundation of everything in her music. However, she masterfully blends different genres, effortlessly transitioning from blues to dance, jam band, funk, pop, and even gospel – all of which are part of her ever-evolving sound. As a true pioneer, Ana combines her blues guitar roots with bold experimentation, redefining the intersection between blues and dance music. Her live performances, whether with her six-piece or eleven-piece funk band FUNTASTAFUNK, are electrifying, melding powerful guitar sounds with irresistible rhythms that get the audience dancing.
As an award-winning artist, Popovic has received recognition from major media and industry giants, including Bruce Springsteen, who called her a “damn good guitar player.” She has been nominated for seven Blues Music Awards, and her current album POWER reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Ana has shared the stage with legends like B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Robert Plant, and Gary Clark Jr., and she is an endorser of Fender, D‘Angelico, Jim Dunlop, and DR Strings. Popovic’s commitment to her craft and her fearless boundary-crossing ensure that she remains one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary blues and beyond.
“In the 25 years since the release of her debut album 'Hometown', blues virtuoso Ana Popovic has proven to be a force of nature with a vintage Strat in hand.” – Guitar World
“Ana Popovic fuses rock, blues, and jazz into fiery power” – No Depression
“As a badass with a silver Strat, she flawlessly plays this song [“Worked Up”] with confidence and grace. … “Worked Up” captures her love for funky grooves and the edginess of rock guitar power.” – Rock & Blues Muse
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