Sublime has returned with a brand new single titled “Ensenada” — their first fully original release with new frontman Jakob Nowell.
Jakob, as most music fans know, is the son of Sublime’s original singer Bradley Nowell, who died in 1996. Jakob first stepped behind the mic for Sublime in late 2023 and last year he and the band released the hit single “Feel Like That” — a song which also featured archival audio of Bradley, along with guest vocalist Stick Figure.
“Ensenada,” however, is entirely Jakob. He was the single’s primary songwriter and, along with original members Bud Gaugh and Wilson, the new lineup has re-captured the magic of Sublime’s classic sound. With a reggae-inspired backbeat and sun-soaked vibes, Jakob sings about a trip to Mexico (and a specific type of lady friend he’ll be meeting there). The rich vocal harmonies and lyrics that echo Bradley’s sense of humor, it’s clear Jakob holds many of his late father’s distinctive qualities.
“Ensenada and the new music we’re working on is inspired by old Sublime material,” Jakob noted via press release. “You can’t match something from that 90s era – it was such a moment in time. This feels like an epilogue, a thank you to all of the fans and everyone who’s supported Sublime. Our goal with “Ensenada” was not to replicate anything, but from my perspective its more like a tribute to my uncles Bud and Eric and the inspiration they give me. It’s organic and we have a good time. We did a bunch of jams, dove into the old catalog, and the more it felt like fun—throwing it all together and seeing what sticks—the more we knew that was the right move. Creating genuine music that reflects your life and times… people tap into that, and then you look around and realize, wow, look at all the love we’ve found.”
