Set for release on April Records on June 12th, 2026, You Belong centres on Miilmann’s approach to the guitar, drawing on the phrasing of singers like Curtis Mayfield, Freddie King and Aretha Franklin. His slide playing – developed as a way of emulating the human voice – sits at the core of the group’s sound, cutting through a warm, rhythmically grounded backdrop that blends jazz, rock, and Brazilian influences.

At its core, the album captures a working band in motion. The five musicians move fluidly between composed material and looser, more exploratory sections, guided by close listening and a shared sense of direction. That chemistry comes into focus on “It’s Happening Again,” a groove-led track steeped in a warm, 1970s-inspired production style. Built on a relaxed but propulsive feel, it captures the simple joy of time spent with close friends – familiar, unforced, and full of possibility.

“The Day After” offers a more spacious counterpoint. Written as a reflection on those rare, quiet mornings following a meaningful moment – a concert, a celebration – it unfolds with a sense of ease and openness, led by Miilmann’s melodic slide guitar and supported by a restrained, attentive rhythm section. The band’s take on “My Favorite Things” reshapes the well-known material through their own ensemble sound, acknowledging the influence of John Coltrane while carving out a more textural, guitar-led approach.

The album’s title, You Belong, points to the group’s broader outlook: an inclusive, community-driven approach to making music. That idea runs through both the compositions and the band’s dynamic – less about spotlighting individuals, more about building a collective sound.

Since their debut Waiting for Myself (2021), David Miilmann Group have carved out a space with their emotionally direct, genre-fluid approach – earning two DMA Blues nominations, reaching the finals of the Jazz Competition, and receiving regular airplay on P8 Jazz. With You Belong, they refine that approach into something more defined: a warm, groove-driven sound shaped by song, feel, and the unmistakable voice of Miilmann’s slide guitar.