Honky tonk as HELL...
Miranda Lambert was certainly
right about that . Today, the country superstar released her ninth solo studio album
Postcards From Texas , which includes pre-released singles like "Wranglers," "Dammit Randy," "No Man’s Land," and "Alimony" (still one of my favorites). The 14-song tracklist is steeped in Texas influence and that classic country sound shaped by greats like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, and puts Miranda's honky tonk, beer joint roots on full display. Produced by Miranda along with her longtime friend and frequent collaborator Jon Randall, they recorded everything at Austin’s legendary Arlyn Recording Studios, and it's Miranda's first album released with new record label, Republic, which she signed with this year after 20 years with former longtime label Sony. From the scathing divorce anthem "Alimony" to heartfelt ballads about heartbreak and love lost like "Run," the album is dripped in waling steel guitar and Miranda's authentic, honest songwriting, and
Postcards From Texas is a beautiful collection of songs that pay homage to who Miranda is and where she comes from. She says releasing new music always gives her butterflies, because even after two decades, it still means so much to her:
“My favorite part of being in the studio is taking something that was just a little guitar/vocal, three chords and the truth, a thought, and then you spend time with these amazingly talented people that bring this song to a whole different place. They bring it to actual life in front of your ears and it’s such a magical process. Making new music always gives you a little bit of butterflies, which I love because that means you still care after all these years.” After so many years making music, this feels like a long-awaited trip back home, where you can take your boots off and sit a while. You can get comfortable, reminisce on the good times, the bad times, and everything that has made you who you are. I don't know if that was Miranda's exact experience exactly, but after all the press leading up to this release, she mentioned often how it's the first time she's recorded an album in Texas since she was 19 or so. I think that aspect comes through in every possible way, from the production to the lyrics and pure country feel, which is certainly reminiscent of her 2005 major label debut,
Kerosene . It just feels
so Miranda, in a really elevated, polished way, while still including quirky, funny songs like the light-hearted album opener "Armadillo." I think my first initial favorites are the stunning solo write "Run," the funny, all-too-relatable "Bitch On The Sauce (Just Drunk)," and the closing track, her cover of David Allen Coe's "Living On The Run," has some great production too. The Parker McCollum duet "Santa Fe" also feels really simple and classic. Of course, Miranda insists that you listen to all 14 songs from top to bottom, and I wholeheartedly agree... that's the way a full, well-crafted project like this is supposed to be heard:
"Hey y'all 'Postcards From Texas' is officially out. It's only 43 minutes long, listen top to bottom just once. Get your Cheetos, your Tito's, your girlfriends, whatever your vibe is, and check out some good 'ol country music." Now
that I can do... For as long as she's been doing it, the fact that Miranda continues to put out such great music like this, that actually only gets better, is nothing short of incredibly impressive. In addition to all of her other ventures, like her cloth line Idyllwind, MuttNation charity, home goods line at Walmart and so many other things, she's still at the top of her game and doing it her own way. She's on a new label now, but this isn't some harebrained, eccentric record full of anger and angst that finds her seeking revenge, which is a side we met early on too and that I also love. No, like the title suggests, it's a journey back home, in a sense, to her Texas roots and the classic, honky tonk music that first inspired a young Miranda to start her now 20-year long career in country music. It feels so inspired, mature and complete, and is easily a top two Miranda album for me already. It's clear to me from the quality and authenticity of this music that she needed the trip back home, like we all do sometimes, because there really is no place like it. Miranda's 14 love letters to Texas, and in my opinion country music too, are as heartfelt and beautiful as they come. But I really expected nothing less from the honky tonk queen herself... do yourself a favor and give it a spin. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><strong> "Looking Back on Luckenbach" </strong> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbfM0d0BacU <strong> "Santa Fe feat. Parker McCollum" </strong> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS9dYP_gqUY <strong> "Run" </strong> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P463hHTeb_s <strong> "Bitch On The Sauce (Just Drunk)" </strong> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDFJKtL-1nI <strong> "Living On The Run" </strong> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9VFY2zyZ-c <strong><em> Postcards from Texas </em> Tracklist: </strong> “Armadillo” (Aaron Raitiere, Jon Decious, Parker Twomey) “Dammit Randy” (Miranda Lambert, Brendan McLoughlin, Jon Randall) “Looking Back on Luckenbach” (Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby) “Santa Fe” feat. Parker McCollum (Miranda Lambert, Jesse Frasure, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon) “January Heart” (Brent Cobb, Neil Medley) “Wranglers” (Audra Mae, Evan McKeever, Ryan Carpenter) “Run” (Miranda Lambert) “Alimony” (Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally) “I Hate Love Songs” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall) “No Man’s Land” (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick) “Bitch On The Sauce (Just Drunk)” (Miranda Lambert, Jaren Johnston) “Way Too Good At Breaking My Heart” (Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jesse Frasure, Jenee Fleenor) “Wildfire” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall) “Living On The Run” (David Allen Coe, Jimmy L. Howard) <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate></div>
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