Colter Wall dropped a new record today, and I love it.

The 25-year-old Swift Current born and current Nashville resident, delivered Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs. The album is a 10-track collection of Wall’s blend of blues, folk and Americana, and it’s a breath of fresh air. Western Swing Waltzes is the antithesis of bro-country. It’s a welcome respite in the overcrowded popular empty messaging found on too many of today’s radio-friendly summer anthems.

In a relatively short time by music industry standards, Wall has cemented his place in the hearts of millions. The new record is a mix of covers and originals which blend seamlessly. He heads into the release with an astounding 320 million+ streams on Spotify. This number is fueled in part by his contribution of Sleeping on the Blacktop to the soundtracks of Hell or High Water, nominated for four Oscars and Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri, winner of two Oscars. Poised to surpass 41 million streams, Hell or High Water sets the bar high.

Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs‘ cover is a nod to classic vintage country and western themes. The sepia-toned sketch of cows on the range, surrounded by cattle brands is memorable and straightforward.

Listening to Colter Wall elicits a feeling of stepping back in time. His unique baritone is haunting; the storytelling and captivating lyrics pull you in. One of my favourite lines comes from Talkin’ Prairie Boy. “We were shooting the shit ’til we ran out of ammunition.” That’s lyrical gold. Of course, there’s great guitar picking, fiddles, and twangy slide guitar to fill everything out.

With visions of cowboys, cattle, horses, as well as road tours, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs delivers everything we could have hoped for from a new Colter Wall album.

Colter Wall // “High & Mighty” // Bunkhouse Sessions

It’s been a while since we did a ticket giveaway to see Colter at The Horseshoe, and we know that there are no shows planned, but we’re looking forward to seeing Colter live when things return to a safer state.

If Colter Wall is new to you, here’s a little background on the Canadian singer. Wall’s first official recording was a 7-song EP, entitled Imaginary Appalachia, produced by Jason Plumb in 2015. The EP featured collaborations with other Regina artists including one of our favourites, The Dead South.

After gaining public traction over the year, at 21 years of age, he opened for Lucinda Williams at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Colter claimed that it felt like the people there really got him. That same year he signed to American Songs publishing company.

His next release was on May 12, 2017. It was Colter’s first full-length album, and it’s self-titled. Dave Cobb produced it at the RCA Studio A in Nashville. Greats like Alan Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, and so many more have recorded here. Songs of the Plains, the singer’s third release was came out on October 12, 2018, to rave reviews.

When I listen to Western Swing Waltzes, it makes me long for horses and open fields. It takes me back to times with my mom, listening to Johnny Horton, Marty Robbins, and Jimmy Dean. That place, in my memories, is a good place.

COLTER WALL’S LINKS

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Trish Cassling

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Toronto Music Blogger