Georgia’s Logan Crosby delivers a confident, mature and anthemic debut album in the thirteen evocative songs on ‘2019.' Born and raised in the small town of Milledgeville, Crosby’s sound is heartland with a gritty vocal drawl and arrow-flying lyrical accuracy.
The title track and album opener, ‘2019’, with its piano echo and kickdrum beat, is a nostalgic, up-tempo reminiscent song, about being 18 and dancing in bars to Luke Combs, with an instantly anthemic chorus; yeah, this is how you build a fan base. Even if you weren’t quite twenty-one in 2019, it’s a powerful year for the world which deserves acknowledgement.
‘You’re Still’ continues the rocking heartfelt theme, bouncing lyrical fun, weaving in an Oasis song reference with a Deanna Carter classic; “am I still Wonderwall, because you’re still Strawberry Wine”, while ‘Polaroid Picture’ brings in summer relationship beach vibes, enhanced with the soft guitar sound.
One of the strongest lead singles released is ‘Girl Next Door’ with a building tempo meeting Brandy Clark lyricism, taking a new view on neighbours; go beyond the obvious. Look for the “wildflower in a field of roses”.
One of the most beautiful heartbreak ballads I’ve heard in a while is the jaw-dropping piano-based ‘But I Do.' It's the story of trying to get over heartbreak by lying to others about how you’re coping, “I don’t know if anyone’s buying what I’m selling”. You can feel the pain in the song with the vocal control.
Crosby’s LA past is revisited in the memory-lane ballad of ‘Ain’t No Geogia’. Although pining for home can happen to anyone at any time, an artist is usually a few albums deep before they start thinking about their life-so-far. Performing at the iconic Troubadour club, and having an LA-based EP to his name, gives Crosby the authenticity that many artists try to aim for.
‘Roots’ is the kind of country song that other artists wish they’d written, and certainly evidence of Crosby’s mature thinking on life and things that matter, between “sinners, saints and neighbours sharing stories on bar stools”. God can be found anywhere, in a bar as much as a church, and hopefully there’s sawdust on the floor when he reaches beyond the clouds.
Speaking on the album, Crosby declares, “When you listen to me, I want to take you back to the first time you got your heart broken or fell in love. Other songs might make you want to party,” notes Crosby. “I’m the same guy who was holding a guitar at three-years-old. Whether I’m playing a dive bar or an arena, I’m going to share stories and maybe make you laugh too.”
I didn’t know what to expect from newcomer Logan Crosby when I first listened to the 2019 album. A singer-songwriter whose career had a lively start as runner-up on the first season of ABC’s Claim to Fame (Crosby is a cousin of Jason Aldean) and a cheeky cover of Megan Moroney’s ‘Hair Salon' bringing friendship and a tour opportunity with Moroney; the Georgia souls swap song insights. But if ‘2019' is an indicator of the early 20-something’s state of mind, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this Georgia lad, and for the other artists he inevitably writes for.
Give Logan Crosby’s 2019 a spin if you like Matt Jordan, Cody Johnson, Ernest and Georgia's very own poster boy, Luke Bryan.
Track listing: 1. 2019 2. You’re Still 3. Polaroid Picture 4. Love Like That Again 5. Girl Next Door 6. Please Don’t Say Atlanta 7. Look Who’s Lonely Now 8. But I Do 9. I’ll Write A Song 10. Ain’t No Georgia 11. Forever For A While 12. Roots 13. Seasons Release Date: 27th September Record Label: 50 Egg Records Find out more about Logan Crosby
