Born in Dixon, California, Jon Pardi discovered his passion for country music early on, influenced by his grandfather’s karaoke sessions. He began writing songs at the age of 12 and, after graduating from Dixon High School in 2003, he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. Signed to Capitol Records Nashville, Pardi released his debut album ‘Write You a Song' in 2014, followed by ‘California Sunrise' in 2016, which included the chart-topping single ‘Head Over Boots.' His subsequent albums ‘Heartache Medication' (2019) and ‘Mr. Saturday Night' (2022), further solidified his reputation as a torchbearer of traditional honky-tonk country music.
Pardi’s fifth studio album ‘Honkytonk Hollywood is set for release tomorrow, April 11th. Produced by Jay Joyce, this 17-track collection features the lead single ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker' described by American Songwriter as a track that “kicks down the door of this next musical chapter.” The title track also serves as a grits-and-glitz tribute to the dual nature of Pardi’s life and mindset, blending his California roots with Nashville’s country scene. With this album, Pardi continues to modernise honky-tonk, infusing it with his signature good-time spirit and a matured perspective.
‘Honkytonk Hollywood' is easily Pardi's most diverse and adventurous album yet, pushing the boundaries of his signature honkytonk country while embracing elements of Southern rock, 80s power anthems and smooth California country. Across 17 tracks, Pardi crafts a record that honours his roots while showcasing a newfound willingness to experiment. With Jay Joyce in the producer’s chair—known for his work with Eric Church—the album crackles with energy, moving seamlessly between rowdy barroom stompers, timeless retro-ballads and even a touch of bluesy swagger.
The album kicks off in high gear with ‘Boots Off', a raucous, guitar-driven track reminiscent of 80s southern rockers The Georgia Satellites, setting the stage for the bold and playful nature of the record. ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker' follows with a darker, moodier edge, warning of a woman who “will leave you in a world of hurt.” It’s a rowdy, intense song, blending classic country storytelling with an almost hypnotic chorus that sticks with you. Then comes ‘She Gets to Drinking,' a sunny, retro-country number with a Midland-esque California sheen, showing that Pardi can turn on the charm just as easily as he delivers cautionary tales.
The album continues to explore a variety of sounds, with ‘Gambling Man' channeling a classic Countrypolitan feel and ‘Hey California' embracing the shimmering harmonies of Fleetwood Mac and the Laurel Canyon scene, marking a significant evolution in Pardi’s artistry. ‘Rush' takes things even further, leaning into an 80s rock bombast that recalls Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love,' proving that Pardi isn’t afraid to step outside traditional country confines. ‘She Drives Away' and ‘He Went to Work' return to more classic storytelling, the former a heartfelt tale of love and loss, and the latter a tribute to hard-working blue-collar men—something deeply ingrained in country music’s DNA. Similarly, ‘Love the Lights Out,' ‘Nice Place to Visit' and ‘Bar Room Blue' slow things down with a smooth, blues-tinged intimacy and a vintage barroom Countrypolitan vibe that echoes the chemistry of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. ‘Bar Room Blue,' is a melancholic breakup ballad with a silky-smooth California vibe that pairs nicely with a song like ‘She Gets to Drinking,' in both sound and style with it's 70s and 80s timeless vibes and Midland-esque melodies.
Despite the varied and evolving sounds on offer across this album, Pardi doesn’t abandon his honkytonk roots. ‘Last Call Thing' is a pure dancehall jam with infectious fiddle work, while the title track, ‘Honkytonk Hollywood' fuses Southern rock grit with country charm. “Kind of California crazy, my dancehall diamond…kind of country, kinda city,” he sings, an apt description of both his wife and the hybrid nature of this album.
The back half of the album continues the balancing act between retro influences and modern bombast with the scales slightly tipped in favour of the latter. Standout track ‘Hard Knocks' explodes with gritty resilience and stadium-ready guitars whilst the darkness deepens on ‘Who I Don’t Wanna Be,' a fiery, fiddle-driven anthem that tackles the struggles of life and holding down a job and a relationship in this very stressful modern world with a chorus that bursts with raw energy. Then, in a fitting closer, ‘I Kinda Wanna Keep it That Way' sums up the album’s spirit with a funky, Southern rock edge. “I am what I am and I don’t give a damn,” Pardi declares, embracing his evolving artistry with confidence. The lyric “I’m the kinda man that just can’t stand to stand in one place” could very well define the album’s entire ethos—this is an artist refusing to be boxed in. You can hear the Eric Church influence on this song, unsurprising given Jay Joyce's involvement as producer on this vibrant and varied album.
Ultimately, ‘Honkytonk Hollywood' is Jon Pardi’s boldest and most varied album to date. When it rocks, it’s exhilarating and I, personally, still think it's where he excels with songs like ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker,' Rush' and ‘Hard Knocks.' However, where the album leans into smooth, California-tinged retro-country, it’s also effortlessly cool and whilst Pardi's honkytonk roots are still present, this album proves that he is an artist willing to push boundaries and reveal new facets of himself as he matures and ages. It’s an exciting, daring step forward—and a reminder that country music is at its best when it embraces evolution.
Tracklist: 1. Boots Off 2. Friday Night Heartbreaker 3. She Gets To Drinking 4. Gamblin’ Man 5. Hey California 6. Rush 7. She Drives Away 8. He Went To Work 9. Last Call Thing 10. Honkytonk Hollywood 11. Love The Lights Out 12. Nice Place To Visit 13. Hard Knocks 14. Don’t You Wanna Know 15. Bar Room Blue 16. Who I Don’t Wanna Be 17. Kinda Wanna Keep It That Way Release Date: 11th April Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville Buy ‘Honkytonk Hollywood' right here.
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