LANCO burst onto the scene with their 2017 breakout hit ‘Greatest Love Story,' a multi-week No. 1 that captured the highs and lows of a genuine relationship. Their debut album, ‘Hallelujah Nights' debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in 2018, making them the first country band in a decade to achieve that milestone. Songs like ‘Born to Love You' further cemented their reputation for delivering heartfelt, relatable music. Big tours, international shows and undeniable momentum was brought to a halt by the pandemic and since then the band have struggled to find a foothold in the choppy & ever evolving waters of mainstream Country music.
LANCO didn't sound like Bro-Country back in 2017 and they don't sound like Morgan Wallen now but that doesn't matter to Brandon Lancaster and his merry bunch of Country / Rock troubadours because with their latest album, ‘We’re Gonna Make It,' they have delivered a heartfelt and uplifting exploration of life's highs and lows built around the themes of love, loyalty, and resilience. Across 14 tracks, the band paints vivid portraits of perseverance, hard-fought triumphs, and gratitude for their journeys, both personally and professionally, creating a sonic ode to enduring the tough times and emerging stronger on the other side with a sound that is all of their own.
Love Through Tough Times
The album's opener and title track sets the tone with its anthemic build and emotionally charged chorus: “Making it through fire and brimstone, through broken and broke.” It's a rallying cry for anyone weathering life’s storms, propelled by Brandon Lancaster’s passionate vocals and LANCO's signature arena-ready sound.
Tracks like ‘Low Class Lovers' and ‘Million Dollar Memory,' meanwhile, highlight the beauty of staying grounded in love despite adversity. In the former, Lancaster sings, “She’s dancing on tables, and I wish I was able to give her the finer things,” evoking Springsteen-like imagery of blue-collar romance alongside nods to the Boss with the rolling drum explosions, anthemic backing vocals and evocative piano break whilst ‘Million Dollar Memory' celebrates the value of simple joys with the poignant line, “What we got is better than gold, it can't be bought and it can't be sold.” A theme that runs through this album like lettering through a stick of rock.
Loyalty and Gratitude
LANCO’s knack for weaving stories of growth and gratitude shines through in songs like ‘We Grew Up Together,' a touching ballad featuring Cory Asbury. Reflecting on parenthood and the bonds that grow deeper with time, Lancaster’s tender voice delivers the moving line: “God made you, you made me better,” as he reflects on the journey that becoming a parent has taken him on.
Similarly, songs like ‘Beer With Younger Me' and ‘You’ll Always Be' lean heavily on reflection, nostalgia and gratitude. Whether it’s reflecting on lessons learned or cherishing a partner who’s been by your side through it all, these tracks embody the album’s reflective yet optimistic spirit. The latter song is a bonafide radio-hit-in-waiting. It might not be the cleverest or most inspiring song on the album but it's the one that would work best at Country radio with its huge melodies and uplifting lyrics about long term love.
Resilience in the Face of Hardship
Resilience is a recurring theme across the album and is perhaps most explicitly captured in ‘Honey, I Lost My Job Today.' With its simple melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the track speaks to the struggles of everyday life while holding onto hope. Similarly, ‘Memories (We Didn’t Know)' is a toe-tapping anthem about cherishing life’s milestones, even those born out of challenging times. ‘Memories….' is jam-packed full of LanCo's original sound – which is banjo meets drums meets arena anthem. Think Boy Meets Banjo jamming with Mumford and Sons for a touchstone on this catchy, toe-tapping number.
Joyful and Nostalgic Rock Vibes
The album also delivers moments of pure joy alongside the nostalgia. ‘Sound of a Saturday Night' is a rollicking rock anthem destined to light up live shows with its “woo hoo” backing vocals and Bryan Adams-esque energy. Meanwhile, ‘Come Over' puts a fresh twist on a classic love song, turning a simple “booty call” into a playful celebration of married life. ‘Leaving Looks Good On You,' meanwhile, takes us on a rare journey of loss, as the girl in the song leaves for California. Brandon Lancaster, however, puts the LANCO twist on this heartbreak by giving her his blessing and admitting that he knew she needed to fly free all along. The big rock vibes and uplifting melodies make this song one of the most evocative tracks on the album in a pure, unadulterated Springsteen meets The Killers kind of way and alongside ‘Sound of a Saturday Night,' it will be a must-play inclusion in their live setlist.
Meaning & Melody
Closing track ‘Nothing That You Could Do' wraps up the album on a tender note, with Lancaster asking, “Will you still want me, even when I’m old and grey?” before pledging unwavering devotion: “I will find you if you ever lose your way.” It’s a fitting finale to an album that overflows with heart and authenticity.
‘We’re Gonna Make It' is LANCO at their finest: authentic, emotionally resonant, and musically compelling. The album is a testament to the enduring power of love, the strength of loyalty, and the resilience required to overcome life’s toughest moments. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the band, this collection of songs is sure to inspire and uplift. They didn't sound like what was on the radio in 2017 and they still don't now – which makes them a more intriguing and powerful musical force eight years further down the line from where it all started for them.
