Fancy Hagood has had a career as colourful as his larger-than-life personality. In 2015 he launched his music career with a couple of pop singles, including 2015’s ‘Boys Like You’ featuring Meghan Trainor and Ariana Grande, before returning to music in 2020 with his debut album ‘Southern Curiosity’. That album saw a total change in direction for Hagood, switching his sound to Country and putting a deserved spotlight on his talents as a vocalist and songwriter. The album was received well and it’s allowed Hagood to travel across the world, including the UK for his own tour and an appearance at C2C earlier this year.
Four years on from ‘Southern Curiosity’ and Hagood is back with his long-awaited follow-up album ‘American Spirit’. Ahead of the album’s release Hagood has treated fans to a number of previews including the powerful ‘Through’, a song about working through heartbreak and healing once a relationship comes to an end. In Hagood’s hands, the sentiment is turned from misery to optimism, with an uplifting melody behind the weighty and honest lyrics. ‘Good Grief’ continues to explore that theme, stripping things back and celebrating the moment you just let all your pent up hurt and upset flow out. It’s a relatable moment, beautifully capturing the feeling of working through immense loss.
‘Losing Game’ is an acoustic number that finds Hagood struggling to say ‘no’ to a man who is addictive but likely toxic. His lyrics are stark and honest, owning the fact that he knew he was entering into a dead end relationship before things even got started. As you can likely tell from those three songs, ‘American Spirit’ is a deeply personal record where Hagood dissects and reflects on heartbreak following the end of a relationship. That’s not to say this is a downbeat album though; Hagood finds the positivity and optimism where he can.
‘American Spirit’ opens with ‘Ever Really Ready’, the last of the songs released prior to the album and an introspective song where Hagood ponders whether you can ever truly prepare yourself for love, and the whirlwind of ups-and-downs that come with it. Michelle Branch features on the album’s second track “Isn’t That Life”, an uptempo reflection on the unpredictable nature of life and dealing with the endless curveballs it throws our way. ‘Savior Self’, an acoustic number, is about growing up and realising that the only person that can truly change your life is you. Hagood’s vocal suggests arriving at that conclusion hasn’t come easily and you can hear the life experience coming through.
Title track ‘American Spirit’ is one of the highlights on the record. Those vocal flourishes and runs that Hagood showcased on ‘Southern Curiosity’ are present here, and he sounds fantastic. The song is a feel-good moment of intoxicating love (and lust) where two people stay in their own little bubble, shutting out the rest of the world. On the gorgeous ‘Navy Blue’, intricate acoustic riffs lead the melody as Hagood sings about unrequited love while on the more bluegrass-leaning ‘The Chase’ the Watkins Family Hour guest to bring their harmonies to a song about enjoying the pursuit of a burgeoning relationship.
The final two songs – ‘Soulmates’ and ‘Fly Away’ – bring ‘American Spirit’ to a fitting end. ‘Soulmates’ is a midtempo song celebrating the moment you find someone that you feel completes you while the fragile ballad ‘Fly Away’ sees Hagood share his wisdom and experience about being yourself and letting your wings free, despite what the voices around you are saying.
Fancy Hagood is truly having a moment and it’s fair to say that he’s firmly found his feet musically since the release of ‘Southern Curiosity’. ‘American Spirit’ builds on those foundations and pushes through to the next level, digging deeper lyrically and celebrating the beauty in simplicity. Hagood is an accomplished storyteller and he’s a voice in the Country genre that deserves plenty more attention. This may be the album that does that for him.
Track listing: 1. Ever Really Ready 2. Isn’t That Life (feat. Michelle Branch) 3. Losing Game 4. Savior Self 5. Good Grief 6. Through 7. American Spirit 8. Navy Blue 9. The Chase (feat. Watkins Family Hour) 10. Soulmates 11. Fly Away Record label: Fancy Hagood Enterprises Release date: 25th October 2024 Buy ‘American Spirit’ now
This article contains an affiliate link. Purchases through this link may result in us earning a commission.
