John Mellencamp opens a new chapter in his long career with the release of his 22nd album, 'Plain Spoken,' in September, but you don't have to wait that long to hear new Mellencamp music. The set's first single, 'Troubled Man,' is streaming now.

Rolling Stone debuted the track, which is being hosted on YouTube (you can check it out above). As with his previous two LPs, 'Plain Spoken' finds Mellencamp working with producer T Bone Burnett, whom he's credited with helping him steer clear of some of the production excesses he felt plagued his earlier work.

Due Sept. 23, 'Plain Spoken' is the first release under Mellencamp's new deal with Republic Records, which the label describes as "a 'lifetime' recording contract." In a press release, Republic promised that this batch of songs represents a continued artistic evolution for Mellencamp, and called the new album "a stunningly elegant and soul-searching gem."

Mellencamp's most recent collection of new material, 2010's 'No Better Than This,' peaked at No. 10 on Billboard's albums chart and served as a renewed statement of purpose for the Grammy-winning artist. "I am done being a rock star," he told Rolling Stone in the months leading up to the album's release. "I have no interest in that, in having the biggest concerts. I have only one interest: to have fun while we’re doing this and maybe have something that somebody might discover."

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