Multi-platinum-selling country artist Joe Nichols has officially dropped his highly anticipated 11th studio album ‘Honky Tonks and Country Songs,' available now across all digital platforms and streaming services right here.
Nichols celebrated the album's release on Friday with a special performance at Gilley’s Dallas, headlining the iconic honky tonk's 21st-anniversary celebration.
The album arrives with strong momentum, thanks to its lead single, ‘Better Than You,' which has become a hit at U.S. Country Radio. The duet with rising star Annie Bosko has been a Top 5 Most Added Song (Mediabase) for four consecutive weeks, earning praise for its powerful balladry. Legendary music critic Robert K. Oermann called the track ‘Goosebump-thrilling' in his MusicRow column.
Produced by Mickey Jack Cones (Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan) and Derek George (Randy Houser), ‘Honky Tonks and Country Songs' showcases Nichols’ signature blend of traditional and modern country sounds. Billboard praised Nichols, saying he “remains one of country music’s most consistent, indelible vocalists.” The 11-track album is a testament to that, connecting country’s rich past with its vibrant present.
Nichols' renewed popularity, fuelled by the resurgence of '90s and early 2000s country, has seen him performing alongside some of today's biggest stars. In July, he shared the stage with Post Malone for the genre-bending artist’s ‘A Night in Nashville' concert. CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson also referenced Nichols’ classic hit ‘Brokenheartsville' in her 2024 track ‘Devil Don’t Go There.'
Reflecting on the album, Nichols said, “My voice is in the best shape it’s been in years. I felt more like myself in the studio, and this record captures that.” He added, “We’ve got some great country songs like ‘Doin’ Life With You’ and ‘Helpless in a Honky Tonk’ that let me revisit that ‘old-school me.’”
A standout track is Nichols' cover of the Hank Williams Jr. classic ‘Country Boy Can Survive,' a fan favourite during his live shows. The album also features a collaboration with Stevie Woodward of Runaway June on the mid-tempo track ‘Hard Fires.'
Honky Tonks and Country Songs – Official Track Listing
1. Honky Tonks and Country Songs – (Tyler Hubbard/Matt Jenkins/Travis Wood/Casey Brown)
2. Bottle It Up – (Josh Kear/Dan Isbell/Paul Sikes)
3. People Still Doin’ That – (Justin Lantz/Clint Daniels/Jeremy Crady)
4. Helpless in a Honky Tonk – (Jared Keim/Ryan Beaver/Neil Medley/Dan Alley)
5. Country Boy Can Survive – (Hank Williams Jr)
6. Hard Fires (featuring Stevie Woodward) – (Michael Carter/Adam Craig/Matt Rogers)
7. Doin’ Life With You – (Jimmy Yeary)
8. Y’all Do – (Jake Mitchell/Michael Hardy/Mike Walker)
9. On and On – (Jason Sellers/Terri Jo Box/Dan Smalley)
10. Better Than You (Joe Nichols & Annie Bosko) – (Derek George/John Pierce)
11. Amazing Ways – (Dan Isbell/Jordan Minton/Jonathan Smith)
