Review
Charley Crockett's '$10 Cowboy' is a honky-tonk fever dream wrapped in analog warmth, a record that'll transport you straight to a smoky barroom with sawdust on the floor. The man's got this uncanny ability to time-travel musically, channeling Hank Williams and Gene Autry while still sounding fresh as tomorrow's sunrise. His title track swings from the ceiling like a crystal chandelier in a Texas dance hall, with those lounge-inspired synths mingling with acoustic guitars in a way that makes you feel like you're in the hazy glow of a roadside bar in a Lynch film. That live analog tape recording gives everything this gorgeous, lived-in quality, like a pair of boots that fit just right.
When Crockett dives into 'America' and brings those soulful R&B grooves with saxophone lines that would make Maceo Parker tip his hat, you can practically feel the dance floor trembling beneath your feet. I love how he weaves stories of hard times and heartbreak through tracks like 'Hard Luck & Circumstances,' 'Gettin' Tired Again,' and that one-two punch of 'Good at Losing' and 'Ain't Done Losing Yet.' There's something so genuine about how he blends country, Americana, and soul together – it's like watching someone who speaks multiple languages effortlessly switch between them mid-conversation. This 2024 release shows a man who respects tradition but isn't imprisoned by it, creating something that feels both timeless and perfectly of the moment. - Lola
