American country singer-songwriter Cody Johnson released his 8th album on Nov. 3, 2023, titled “Leather”. Relating back to his country roots, he expresses his country lifestyle through his music which has become a big hit to the country music community.
“I think [Johnson’s] album has a good variety of songs that tell fans about his life, and I think this was my favorite album yet,” junior Bryli Elizondo said.
The highly anticipated album struck an emotional chord with fans including myself, and below are some of my favorite tracks on the album.
Released as a single, “Painter” was an amazing addition to his new album. Johnson wrote this song for his wife and sings about how his life changed for the better when he met her. He expresses the way he views his life as different and how his “life was black and white but she’s the painter.” Johnson’s fans empathized with his deep lyrics, making it a big hit.
“Whiskey Bent (feat. Jelly Roll)”
“Whiskey Bent (feat. Jelly Roll)”, is for when you need a good cry. Expressing the damages of addiction, Johnson and Jelly Roll emphasize how they’re straightening out their life from all their mistakes. Singing about their regret, the soft acoustics make it one of the most memorable songs on the album.
An instant fan favorite, “Dirt Cheap” has definitely been a hard-hitting song for most fans. Starting off with the soft piano chords and complemented by beautiful guitar strums, the song has been a big hit for Cojo fans. As Johnson sings about the importance of where he grows up, he mentions watching his daughter grow up, the dirt he proposed on, and even when his best friend is buried. If you want a song to cry to, this is a go-to for sure!
The second song on the album, “Double Down” is unique to say the least. The melody of the guitar builds a spunky feel for listeners, as they’re melted away with the lyrics. Johnson expresses his deep feelings for a woman and how he misses her throughout the song.
Another sorrowful song, “Watching My Old Flame”, caught fans’ attention. Relating a flame burning out to a past relationship, many of his listeners related to his lyrics which made it an instant hit. He sings to a woman he hopes will come back to him, and watches the possibility get farther and farther away. Adding the guitar to enhance the lyrics makes this song a beautiful listen.
Being one of the more upbeat songs on the album, “That’s Texas” really demonstrates the authentic country Johnson is known for. The song includes Cody Johnson’s own banjo acoustics and an upbeat violin. He sings about growing up in Texas and the importance of his hometown. It is a great song to jam out and dance to with friends.
“People In The Back” is quite different from most of the other songs on the album. With more of a rock style, the electric guitar added throughout creates a nice melody to vibe to. His lyrics show appreciation for those in the background who don’t get credit. He expresses his gratitude to his family, fans, and even those who are sacrificing their lives.
Overall, Johnson’s long-awaited album, “Leather”, has been a great staple to the country music industry. Although I only talked about seven tracks, each song on the album is truly worth the listen.
My name is Miranda Cook, and this is my second year being a part of 42Fifty! I am a senior at OHS, and I am on the varsity cheer team. I enjoy taking photos and hanging out with my friends in my free time, and I cannot wait to continue my career in journalism!
Adore your writing! Great review.