Madeline Christy reviews Randy Houser’s fifth album Magnolia, including just how big it is as a departure from his previous sound.
Straying from the bro-country sound, Randy Houser releases his new album, which he says is a return to his roots. We haven’t heard much from the country star these past three years – the release for his latest album, Magnolia, was pushed back from its November release to now, and his current single ‘What Whiskey Does’ was released back in October. This is the first album to be co-produced by the singer, alongside Keith Gattis (who has produced hits for the likes of George Strait, Ashley Monroe, and Miranda Lambert). The Mississippi singer has always been on the clasp of mainstream country with hits such as ‘Runnin’ Outta Moonlight’, ‘How Country Feels’, and ‘We Went’.
So what’s made him strike out with the big leagues? When speaking with Taste Of Country he revealed ‘when writing for this new project, I knew production had to lean on songs and melodies, not a bunch of tricks and loops. That was the catalyst for the album. So, for the past two years we’ve been focused on trying to find a unique sound and trying to best serve the songs.’ Houser’s lane change of sound mirrors fellow country duo’s Brothers Osborne’s swampy and smokey vibe. Brothers Osborne actually feature on the album as uncredited backing musicians on ‘New Buzz’ as well as co penning ‘What Leaving Looks Like.’
Opening with a toe tapping beat, ‘No Stone Unturned’ tells the story of Houser’s relationship with mainstream country. He addresses that while he struggles with Nashville recognition, ‘I made it up to Nashville / I took a broken guitar through the heart,’ he is given the ability to go off the beaten path and to explore his own sound. His self awareness in the track adds weight to the album and reflects upon Houser’s own enmity in such a glam country scene. The song was written with Peach Pickers’ member Dallas Davidson, who are usually known for their bro-country hits.
Featuring Lucie Silvas, Houser gives us the first love song on the album. Silvas provides delicate backing harmonies on the chorus in the track entitled ‘Our Hearts’. The mixture of brushed drums, soft vocals and the underlining, faint organ resonate with the fragility of the song’s emotion. The lead single, and second collaboration of the album tells a different side of love. Duetting with Hilary Lindsey, ‘What Whiskey Does’ sets the two in a bar; wanting a drink to take the edge off, ‘take me to a better place/ and put a smile back on my face.’ On this soulful tune you can note the parallels to the artistry of Chris Stapleton. However to Houser’s credit, there is a use of a richer instrumental palette, in comparison to both Chris Stapleton and Houser’s 2016 album Fired Up, which had a tailgate party feel.
Another soulful song on the album comes from the vulnerable ‘No Good Place To Cry’. It’s the perfect sequel to when the bar closes in ‘What Whiskey Does’. In this track Houser really shows us his voice’s capability; full of depth and grit, alongside some fervent guitar, shimmering drums, and doleful organ. Aside from soul, Houser also experiments with a swampy sound with ‘Whole Lotta Quit’, the ultimate Friday song. Heavy electric guitar, harmonica, and bassy vocals stand out from Houser’s previous works and are factors evident in other tracks such as ‘High Life’, ‘Nothin’ On You’, and ‘Mamma Don’t Know’.
Stripping down with a track called ‘What Leaving Looks Like’, Houser discusses the hardships of his love life. Written with John Osborne and MuzikMafia’s James Otto (a group of songwriters best known for their ‘country music without prejudice’ message), the song exhibits the wisdom Houser has gained over the years from his past relationships; having his first marriage end with a restraining order, it’s easy to say that Houser has travelled through his fair share of peaks and valleys. ‘I learned it well the first time’ Houser sings ‘No you can’t fool me/ this ain’t my first ride.’ ‘Running Man’ summarises the theme of the album perfectly when Houser sings ‘the only thing you know is that you didn’t know nothing/ and you still don’t know.’ The whole album has been a reflection of the lessons that Houser has learnt since his last album and he acknowledges that there are still more lessons to be learnt. His lessons are what inspired the album title. While there is no track called Magnolia, Houser revealed to Billboard this week that for him, Magnolia is a symbol of home. ‘I was probably six years old when my Grandmother died, and she was buried down in Jackson under a tree. I remembered looking up at that tree and how beautiful it was with all of those big shiny green leaves. I just thought it was odd. I remembered asking my Dad what kind of tree it was. He told me a Magnolia tree. That was the first kind of tree that I ever knew what kind of tree it was.’ The last track called ‘Evangeline’ ties the album together flawlessly. Pulling perfect partaken to the places that once hurt him in ‘No Stone Unturned’, Houser uses this song and the story it tells to heal those places with someone new. Once getting ‘sidetracked in the Mississippi rain’ Houser is now dipping his ‘toes in the Mississippi river’. ‘Evangeline’ is a calm after the storm song and even I can feel myself wanting to return home after listening to it.
Editor’s Picks:
1. Our Hearts
2. What Leaving Looks Like
3. Evangeline
