Walker Hayes ‘Country Stuff The Album’ Review

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Walker Hayes had been working his way to the forefront of the country music scene. The Alabama native is known for his new single “AA,” and the song heard all over TikTok which sat at number one on Billboard’s Hot County Songs for six months collectively, “Fancy Like.” To top it off, Hayes’ The Fancy Like Tour is due to kick off in six days on January 27th, 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For now, fans will just have to settle for his second full-length album titled Country Stuff The Album, which was released on January 21st, 2022.

The project was produced by Hayes, Joe Thibodeau, and Multi-Grammy Award winner Shane McAnally. These 13 songs focus on topics that are often elephants in the room, such as loss and sobriety, while also throwing the fun country-themed stuff in the mix. This project gives the audience a taste of what the meaning of country is all about including the balance of good times and bad times. When asked, Hayes says, “Country Stuff The Album is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it. Every song on this album is a piece of who I am. I’m grateful I get to put out music that is 100% me, and that really is about my life. I hope people can relate in some way.”

Several songs on the album were previously released such as “Drinking Songs,” “AA,” U Girl,” “Country Stuff” (feat Jake Owen), and of course the most popular of them all, “Fancy Like.” Hayes shows a vulnerable side while discussing the topic of love with his tracks while creating a daydream-like feel, “Life With You,” and “What If We Did” (feat. Carly Pearce). The hidden gem is the 11th track on the album, “Briefcase.” Hayes creates a parallel between a briefcase and a guitar case with the lyrics “I guess a guitar doesn’t call too far from the briefcase” as he makes parallels with his dad’s everyday job growing up, compared to his occupation as an artist in the present day.

All of the tracks have their own little lessons at the end, including “Craig”(feat MercyMe), and “What You Don’t Wish For,” showing Hayes’ unique writing style. The production is equally as unique as his lyricism, pulling in aspects of pop while not shying away from traditional country instruments such as the banjo and guitars. This album is a collection showing the blunt truth about Hayes’ life and all there is to know about “country stuff.”

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