Review
Koe Wetzel's "9 Lives" is a wild ride, y'all! This album is like a musical cocktail, shaking up country with a splash of rock, a dash of hip-hop, and a hint of grunge. It's his fifth full-length record, and boy, does it pack a punch!
Gabe Simon, the wizard behind Noah Kahan's "Stick Season," took the reins on production, and the result is pure magic. From tear-jerking ballads like "Damn Near Normal" to party-starters like "Bar Song," Koe's really flexing his songwriting muscles here. And can we talk about "9 Lives (Black Cat)"? That chorus is catchier than a fish hook, I swear!
What really tickles me is how Koe's not afraid to put his own spin on other artists' work. He covers XXXTENTACION and Keith Gattis, showing off his musical chops. And don't even get me started on "High Road" with Jessie Murph - it's like they're spilling tea about old flames, and I'm here for it! The whole album is a testament to Koe's outlaw spirit, tackling personal demons and relationship drama head-on. It's raw, it's real, and it's absolutely unmissable. - Iris
Artist Bio
Koe Wetzel, hailing from Pittsburg, Texas, is a singer-songwriter known for mixing country, rock, outlaw country, and grunge into a sound all his own. He began performing at a young age, influenced by his mother's country singing career, and started releasing music in the early 2010s with his band "Koe Wetzel and the Konvicts" before breaking out on his own with the album Noise Complaint in 2016. Wetzel's music, often noted for its raw, rowdy lyrics and energy, appeals especially to college audiences and listeners looking for a grittier take on country. Over the years, he's charted Billboard success, signed with Columbia Records, and even launched his own music venue, while his songs and persona nod to both classic outlaws and grunge icons. Fans of artists like Parker McCollum, Whiskey Myers, or Turnpike Troubadours may find his genre-bending style familiar yet distinct.
