November 7th, 2025, NASHVILLE: Singer, songwriter + multi-instrumentalist Shane Weisman returns with “The Optimist,” a timeless, rootsy new single arriving today. With its nostalgic 70s flair —equal parts Rod Stewart swagger and Tom Petty soul — the track delivers both sonic nostalgia and emotional depth, serving as a key piece of his forthcoming concept album Better Luck Tomorrow, out in early 2026 via Too Fine Records.

Narratively, “The Optimist” paints a cinematic portrait of a nameless man in New York City who calls himself “The Optimist.” From his apartment, he tells the story of his two neighbors: Sonny, a college dropout chasing a dream in the city, and Slingshot Sue, a faded one-hit Broadway star still grasping at the echoes of fame. Through his eyes, the song becomes a mirror for resilience, struggle, and the quiet hope that carries us forward.

“My record Better Luck Tomorrow is very much about self-discovery and rebuilding after everything falls apart,” Weisman says. “But this song — told through The Optimist’s perspective — is that voice of reason we all need sometimes. I wrote it to remind myself that it’s all gonna be okay.”

Musically, “The Optimist” is a masterclass in understated grandeur — highlighted by an epic guitar solo in the bridge that locks perfectly in step with a wistful harmonica line, creating a moment that feels both nostalgic and transcendent. It’s the kind of song that could have poured out of a smoke-filled studio in 1975 — raw, real, and crafted with care.

The single previews Weisman’s upcoming full-length project, Better Luck Tomorrow — an album he produced entirely himself. Describing the record as “about everything falling apart — and what comes after,” Weisman set out to create a body of work that honors the integrity of true album-making.

“My goal is to give my audience an album that’s actually crafted by the artist,” he goes on to say.. “I didn’t sit in a room with five people trying to screw in a lightbulb. I want to revive real albums created by real artists. Let’s be real — would we buy a Picasso if he said, ‘Hey, this is a painting I made with a few of my friends’? Absolutely not.”

In addition to his own work, Weisman has produced for other artists - including Gabe Baker’s award-winning Twelve Out Of Ten - but Better Luck Tomorrow is the sound of him fully stepping into his own voice. Real, poetic, and unafraid, it’s the kind of record built to resonate long after the last note fades.

Fans can expect more new music from Shane Weisman ahead of the full album. For more information on Shane Weisman, be sure to follow him at the links below.

(Nate Sirotta)