Ryan Hurd has made a lasting impact on country music, both as a chart-topping singer and acclaimed songwriter. Signed to Big Machine Records, the Nashville-based artist has amassed over one billion career streams and earned multiple award nominations, including two GRAMMY® nods alongside recognition from the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, and CMT Music Awards.
Hurd’s debut album, Pelago, broke into Spotify’s top five most-streamed country albums, receiving widespread critical praise. As a songwriter signed to Big Machine Music, he has penned PLATINUM No. 1 hits for Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Lady A, and Diplo/Morgan Wallen, while also contributing songs recorded by artists like Conner Smith and Breland.
A 2022 ASCAP Country Award winner, Hurd has taken his music on the road with some of country’s biggest names, touring alongside Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, and Lady A, as well as headlining his own shows. With a distinctive blend of storytelling, melody, and modern country influence, Ryan Hurd continues to solidify his place as one of the genre’s most dynamic and sought-after artists.
That reputation will only increase with the release of sophomore album, ‘Midwest Rock & Roll' which is a deeply personal and evocative record that showcases Hurd's growth as both a songwriter and an artist. From the opening moments of the title track, Hurd transports listeners to his Midwestern roots with atmospheric, chugging guitars and anthemic melodies. “Darkness and teenage desire, that’s Midwest rock & roll,” he sings, setting the tone for an album steeped in nostalgia, self-reflection, and the bittersweet passage of time. The song’s layered production and harder-edged sound feel like a country act experimenting with punk-infused heartland rock, giving Hurd a distinct sonic identity.
Throughout the album, Hurd balances catchy, commercial appeal with introspective songwriting. Tracks like ‘Single in the Same Town' and ‘Youth' lean into his signature blend of rock and country, packed with infectious hooks and polished melodies. The former explores the push-and-pull of an on-again, off-again relationship, while the latter contemplates the fleeting nature of young love with a smooth, almost Lady A-esque delivery. “Why is young love wasted on the youth?” he muses, offering a poignant reflection on missed opportunities and the wisdom that comes with age. The lush production and soaring harmonies make ‘Youth' a standout track that lingers long after the first listen.
Nostalgia remains a key theme on songs like ‘Lighthouse', where a quiet, mid-tempo arrangement gives way to an evocative chorus about love lost and lingering memories. The imagery of meeting at a lighthouse with “whatever’s left of my heart” adds a haunting beauty to the song. Similarly, ‘Funerals' is one of Hurd’s most introspective offerings, a restrained ballad that contemplates the cyclical nature of life and loss. With dense lyrics and melancholic melodies, Hurd delivers one of his most affecting performances, ultimately concluding, “Gotta let that shit go.” It’s a heavy, thought-provoking moment that underscores his depth as a songwriter.
Despite the album’s recurring themes of nostalgia and longing, Hurd knows when to shift gears. ‘This Party Sucks' provides a change of pace, capturing the relatable feeling of wanting to make a quiet exit from a night out. The song’s restrained structure builds to another big, singalong chorus, offering a refreshing moment of levity. On ‘California 1972,' meanwhile, Hurd channels a sun-soaked West Coast, Laurel Canyon vibe, imagining a love that might have flourished in a different era. The dreamy instrumentation and wistful lyrics give the track a hazy, almost post-divorce introspection, adding a layer of depth beneath its warm exterior.
The album’s final stretch delivers some of its most compelling moments. ‘Paul' is a playful, Beatles-inspired track about an encounter with Paul McCartney at a Los Angeles party, complete with piano-driven melodies and McCartney-esque harmonies. As Hurd reflects on feeling out of place in a room filled with music legends, Dave Grohl even makes a cameo in the lyrics, adding to the song’s charming, self-aware storytelling. Closing the album, ‘The Last Song' is a lush, piano-driven reflection on the unpredictability of life and love. “The last song I’ll ever write will be for you,” Hurd sings, leaving the identity of “you” open to interpretation—whether it's his ex-wife Maren Morris or someone he has yet to meet. The song’s soaring strings and Elton John-esque elegance provide a fittingly poignant ending to an album full of heart, depth, and masterful songwriting.
With ‘Midwest Rock & Roll,' Ryan Hurd cements himself as a standout voice in contemporary country music, seamlessly blending rock, country, and pop while delivering songs that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. This album isn’t just a collection of radio-friendly hits—it’s a reflection on love, loss, youth, and the road that brought him here. It’s his most mature, fully realised work to date, proving that he’s not just a great songwriter—he’s an artist with something meaningful to say.
Tracklist: 1. Midwest Rock & Roll 2. Single in the Same Town 3. Youth 4. Lighthouse 5. This Party Sucks 6. Die For It 7. All Night Long Days 8. Funerals 9. California 1972 10. Sober 11. Paul 12. The Last Song Release Date: March 21st Record Label: Big Machine Buy ‘Mid West Rock n Roll' right here
