After John Mellencamp last released his covers album "Other People's Stuff" in 2018, the Heartland rocker is back out of the studio with his own material in 2022. "Strictly A One-Eyed Jack" is the name of his 25th studio album, which he announced with the first single "Chasing Rainbows". Mellencamp also previously released a song with Bruce Springsteen in 2021. "Wasted Days" is just one of three tracks the two musicians recorded together for "Strictly A One-Eyed Jack," along with "Did You Say Such A Thing" and "A Life Full Of Rain." Mellencamp said of the Boss in a radio interview, "I would consider Bruce one of my best friends in the music business now. Bruce and I talk quite a bit. I think he and I get along because we had similar experiences growing up in a small town. Beginnings, big band leader ... He's like my big brother now." Springsteen also on the radio: "I worked on three songs on John's album and spent some time with him in Indiana. I love John very much. He's a great songwriter and I got very close to him and had a lot of fun with him. I sang a little bit on his record." A total of twelve songs await on "Strictly A One-Eyed Jack", all of which were written by Mellencamp and recorded and self-produced at his Belmont Mall Studios in Indiana. The singer received musical support there, in addition to Springsteen, from some long-time band members such as Andy York, Dane Clark, Mike Wanchic and Troye Kinnett. The mixing was done by Grammy award winner David Leonard. In addition, John Mellencamp seems to have inherited his artistic talent: son Speck Mellencamp contributed the portrait of his father that graces the cover of the new album.