Singer-songwriter Josh Ritter has announced a new album, Gathering, which will feature a guest spot from Bob Weir, with whom Ritter co-wrote Weir’s 2016 solo album, Blue Mountain.

Ritter spoke with NPR Music’s Bob Boilen about the record and penned an essay describing his headspace and writing process when writing the songs: “I had that feeling you get when the sky is suddenly dark before a summer storm; the thunderheads looming at the edge of the fields, the birds quiet. The smell of the gathering electricity in the atmosphere, the certainty of lightning.”

Ritter also included a bit about Weir in the essay, saying the Grateful Dead guitarist provides vocals to one of the album’s tracks: “I asked Bob Weir to sing on ‘When Will I Be Changed.’ We had written his record, Blue Mountain, together, and working with him was deeply influential to my writing during this time.”

NPR also debuted the lead single from Gathering, “Showboat,” which can be heard below.