Singer-songwriter Max Gomez is debuting his new song “Joe” exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play below to listen.

According to Gomez, the melancholy, Americana-tinged "Joe" tells the story of a “down-and-out character named Joe." He's the kind of guy who just can’t ever seem to catch a break.

“He compares cocaine to coffee and pain to cash as he searches for redemption,” Gomez tells The Boot. “The song was written by my close friend Jed Zimmerman, who has written some of the best songs that you’ve never heard.”

“Joe” appears on Gomez’s forthcoming EP, titled Me & Joe. It’s the followup to his full-length album Rule the World, which earned Gomez acclaim as a songwriter from critics when it was released in 2013. He’s got a reputation as a relentlessly honest songwriter and performer, and “Joe” is no exception.

Still in his 20s, Gomez moved to Los Angeles, from Taos, N.M., when he was 18 to pursue his music career. He's been playing guitar since the age of 10, when he received the instrument as a Christmas present.

Me & Joe is set for release on Sept. 22 on Brigadoon Records. Fans can learn more about Gomez at MaxGomezMusic.com.

Listen to Max Gomez, "Joe":

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