Cody Johnson's journey from the rough-and-tumble world of rodeo to the heights of country music fame is a testament to his resilience and talent. Raised in rural Texas, Johnson’s life was steeped in the cowboy tradition, and he initially pursued a path as a bull rider. Yet, a life-altering decision in 2006 at age 19 led him to swap his rodeo reins for a guitar, sparking a newfound passion for country music. Johnson began performing in local venues, quickly drawing in fans with his authentic lyrics, compelling storytelling, and powerful voice.
His dedication and relentless work ethic led Johnson to release six albums independently, winning over a devoted audience with his traditional country sound. His big breakthrough came in 2019 when he made his major-label debut with ‘Ain't Nothin' to It,' which catapulted him into the national spotlight and confirmed his place in the genre. Johnson's subsequent release, the double album ‘Human,' further solidified his standing, producing the award-winning hit ‘Til You Can’t' which became one of the biggest successes in recent country music history. Johnson’s music continues to resonate with fans who value genuine country roots, making him a standout in today’s music scene.
2023's ‘Leather' album yielded two huge songs for Johnson in the shape of ‘The Painter' and ‘Dirt Cheap.' You can read our review of that album right here. Here we are a year later, with Johnson just about to embark on a world tour that takes in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, witnessing an artist at the peak of his creative and commercial powers with a further set of 13 songs ready to go. Interestingly, rather than release a brand new album, a new era, new branding and new feel for Johnson the ‘powers that be' have opted to integrate the new songs into the ‘Leather' era and release ‘Leather Deluxe.' The wisdom of this decision is still unclear to me because these new 13 songs are the best, most impactful and cohesive set of songs that Cody Johnson has ever released and it's something of a shame, to me, to be placing them into an already existing narrative rather than giving them the chance to shine out in the world on their own under a completely different title and branding.
Our review will focus on the new songs only.
One listen to this remarkable set of songs is enough to convince you that this project is a rich, deeply layered album that takes listeners through the full spectrum of country music themes, from heartbreak to faith, nostalgia to patriotism. Opening with ‘Overdue,' Johnson taps into a smooth, retro sound with lush fiddle instrumentation, exploring the life of a woman starting over post-divorce. The clever lyrical play between “overdue” and “over do” highlights the simplicity and poignancy of Johnson’s storytelling as he conveys her journey through loneliness and rediscovery.
‘The Fall' is a showstopper, resonating like Garth Brooks' ‘The Dance”' in its thematic depth and introspective lyrics. Johnson reflects on life’s highs and lows, singing about “the ride being worth the fall,” a sentiment of resilience and acceptance that culminates in a powerful electric guitar solo. The song’s structure—beginning with quiet restraint and swelling into an explosive, emotional finish—mirrors the narrative of embracing life, regardless of the hardships. Given the right conditions and some full-throttled support from Johnson's record label I think ‘The Fall' has the ability to out-sell and out-strip Johnson's biggest hit to date, ‘Til You Can't,' it's that good.
In ‘How Do You Sleep at Night,' Johnson channels betrayal and regret in a mid-tempo track with an anthemic chorus. He questions an ex’s conscience with lines like “Do you still watch The Office like we used to do, or did you give up on that like you did on me?” The track’s progression from contemplative hurt to defiance is underlined by a bold guitar solo, allowing Johnson to reclaim his self-worth in the song’s final moments.
‘Georgia Peaches' a bluegrass-inspired track, further emphasises Johnson’s storytelling prowess as he steps into the shoes of a moonshiner trying to provide for his family. With vibrant fiddle and banjo, Johnson tells of a man who, despite his illegal occupation, is fundamentally good-hearted—a layered character study that pulls the listener into a toe-tapping, morally complex tale. ‘Country Boy Singing the Blues' shifts the tone to a bluesy vibe, reflecting on the changing face of rural life. Johnson laments, “I’m miles from Memphis, but I feel like I’m walking on Beale,” expressing discontent with how modernity is altering his surroundings. The nostalgic bluesy guitar and gospel-tinged backing vocals elevate the song, offering a soulful look at a life and a way of living beginning to be displaced by gentrification.
‘Damn Good Life' pays homage to honky-tonk culture and the grind of blue-collar life, with Johnson singing, “It’s a damn hard living, but damn, we got a damn good life.” The Brooks & Dunn influence here is palpable in the song’s 90s-style Texan romp, which celebrates the weekend escape after a week of work. Elsewhere, the theme of family and commitment finds its core in ‘C’mon Cowgirl,' where Johnson tenderly narrates a father’s love for his daughter as she grows, singing, “you’ll never meet a cowboy that loves you like I do.” The song’s acoustic warmth and Texan charm make it the album’s emotional heart and another song that could have a life of its own outside the confines of the album.
Other album highlights include ‘I Wished It Was You,' a dark, regret-filled ballad that delves into heartbreak and missed chances, and ‘Take It Like a Man,' a gritty anthem brimming with bravado and resilience. ‘I’m Gonna Love You,' featuring Carrie Underwood, is a well-crafted duet about loyalty, but it lacks the spark expected from two powerhouse voices and is slightly underwhelming in its emotional heft and execution compared to the expectations that I had of it ahead of its release.
The third standout track, behind ‘The Fall' and ‘C'mon Cowgirl, is easily ‘Made in the USA,' which is a patriotic, anthemic track that captures the pride of American life with infectious Americana flair. Nicely timed to release just before the election, you'll find Johnson singing, “pray who you wanna pray, love who you wanna love’ hinting at his political leanings alongside all the other typical tropes like Springsteen songs and water tower towns. “We’re just getting started,” he declares, full of hope for the future on this bombastic, big-hearted, infectious commercial country anthem that will appeal to fans of country music and potentially bleed across to other fans of artists like Springsteen and Mellencamp too.
The album rounds out with ‘The Mustang,' a five-minute masterpiece that explores faith and redemption through the metaphor of a wild horse tamed by belief. With its plaintive pedal steel and emotive fiddles, this powerful closer solidifies ‘Leather Deluxe' as a journey of wisdom, heartbreak, and faith. “I surrendered all I had and let the master take the reins,” Johnson sings, referencing his faith journey and the acceptance of a higher power into his life on a song that is so powerful it made even this agnostic wish for some of Johnson's faith, confidence and surety.
Cody Johnson’s ‘Leather Deluxe' is a nuanced, cohesive journey through life’s trials, a project that stands as a testament to his versatility and position as one of country music’s most impactful storytellers. Johnson’s ability to span styles—from honky-tonk revelry to spiritual ballads—cements his position as a leader in modern country music, deftly able to make listeners smile, reflect, hope or even shed a tear. ‘Leather Deluxe' proves Johnson is no mere one-trick pony; he’s the leading exponent of heartfelt, versatile country music in the genre right now.
Tracklist: 1. Work Boots 2. Double Down 3. Watching My Old Flame 4. That's Texas 5. Dirt Cheap 6. Jesus Loves You 7. Whiskey Bent 8. Leather 9. People in the Back 10. Long Live Country Music 11. The Painter 12. Make Me a Mop 13. Overdue 14. The Fall 15. Country Boy Singin' the Blues 16. Georgia Peaches 17. Damn Good Life 18. C'mon Cowgirl 19. I Wished it Was You 20. Take it Like a Man 21. I'm Gonna Love You 22. Made in the USA 23. Over Missin' You 24. The Mustang Release Date: 1st November Record Label: Warner Music Nashville Buy ‘Leather Deluxe' right here
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