“It’s a daunting task. I’ll always have impostor syndrome… If the fans think it’s jive, we’ll pull it off streaming services!” Jakob Nowell opens up on using his late father’s gear and unreleased jams to create new Sublime music

NAPA, CALIFORNIA - MAY 23: Jakob Nowell of Sublime performs during the 2025 Bottle Rock Napa Valley festival at Napa Valley Expo on May 23, 2025 in Napa, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/FilmMagic).

When Jakob Nowell took his late father Bradley’s place in front of Sublime in 2023, fans were skeptical. It quickly became clear that the family DNA bred magic through music – but the idea of a new album remained far-fetched.

Their self-titled 1996 LP, released after Bradley’s death, included What I Got, Santeria, Wrong Way and Doin’ Time, seemed to have been their last word from the studio. But the more shows Jakob played with Sublime, the more fans got aboard.