HARDY is one of the newest of country music’s rising stars. His voice as versatile as his songs. HARDY blends the genre lines between the music that he puts out making his own genre of country music which is sure to grab listeners outside of the country music fanbase.
HARDY announced his third studio album titled, the mockingbird & THE CROW would come out January 20th. The album will feature fellow country artists Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson, and lead vocalist of rock band, A Day to Remember. The album will hold 17 songs in total. Half of the songs on the the mockingbird song and the other half on THE CROW side.
Courtesy of HARDY
HARDY has released five of the songs that will be on the highly anticipated album to which I will be reviewing today.
wait in the truck (feat. Lainey Wilson) - HARDY recounts the time in his life where he accidentally ends up in an unknown town and stumbles upon a victim of domestic violence. Through the song we are told the events that took place ending up with HARDY getting arrested for the death of the abuser. Lainey Wilson sings as the victim in the song and tells her feelings of the situation. I love both the male and female’s perspective and really glad HARDY chose this as a duet, it really brings more emotion into the song. The instrumental is simple behind the song and I truly believe the lyrics are the reason for it.
JACK - This song comes from the CROW side of the album where we see more of HARDY’s rock side. The song tells the story from the point of view of Jack Daniels. This song itself dictates the struggle of what every other country singer tries to say in their songs about the bad side of alcohol. HARDY did such a wonderful job bringing this to life.
TRUCK BED - In this song we hear HARDY experimenting with more pop sounds and though I hate to see another country artist leaning into the pop genre I do really like this song. Thought the pop melody is present through most of the song, near the 2:05 time marker we can hear HARDY’s unique sound. The song details the story of a breakup with drinking as a side. This reminds me of HARDY’s more upbeat songs WHERE YA AT and REDNECKER.
here lies country music - I’ve yet to hear a song in country music that portrays how country music is evolving without being too “controversial” to put it in the best way possible. Hardy isn’t the only (fan or) artist that has recognized the constant usage of pop melodies in songs of the country genre and his response to this alos pays tribute to the country legends who came before.
What has been your favorite release from the mockingbird and THE CROW so far? Comment below!