Parker McCollum's Self-Titled, Latest Album Is Not Only His Best By Far, It's Also One Of The Best I've Heard All Year
(Disclaiming- yes, I know this album dropped in June. I know it's not brand new. I'm done doing that. For a longer explanation on why I think critiquing or dropping official reviews on an album that's just hours old is dumb, read the "p.s." at the bottom.)
Every time a country artist drops a self-titled album, it’s usually code for “this one’s personal.” Sometimes that’s bullshit. With Parker McCollum, it’s not.
The guy packed his band up, flew to New York City, and hammered out 14 songs in one week. No Nashville committee meetings, no chasing a hit, no “let’s punch that vocal line 37 more times.” Just raw, focused music. And it shows.
This album isn’t Parker trying to reinvent himself. It’s McCollum finally dropping the act and sounding like who he is.
You can feel the difference on this album right away. Parker McCollum is rougher around the edges than his last couple of records, but that’s the charm. The guitars aren’t too polished, the vocals aren’t airbrushed, and the whole thing has that “played live in the room” feel that most big country albums lose.
He’s not leaning into “bro country” stuff or radio formulas. It’s a mix of country, Americana, and blues, with the right amount of grit left in.
McCollum isn’t hiding behind clichés. He’s writing about himself. Doubt, heartbreak, marriage, trying to measure up, and sometimes losing that fight. You’re not gonna hear about lifted trucks and tailgates on this album. For better or for worse. It’s heavier, more personal, and way more interesting.
Sound wise, amd vocally, he doesn’t try to be perfect. Sometimes the notes crack, sometimes they stretch too far, but that’s what makes it hit. The band keeps it tight but never slick. It’s not about flexing chops, or sounding overly produced and polished it’s about serving the song. And again, that adds to the charm.
As for the standout tracks? (in my opinion)
“My Blue” - The opener. Sad, heavy, stripped down. It lets you know this isn’t a beer-commercial album.
“What Kinda Man” - Probably the most radio-ready track, but still better written than 90% of what’s on air.
“Hope That I’m Enough” - Just a man and a guitar, wondering if he deserves the person who loves him. No flash, all substance.
“Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” (feat. Cody Johnson) - Two Texans trading verses on a Danny O’Keefe classic. If you love country duets, this one delivers like the best.
“My Worst Enemy” - Perfect closer. Haunting outro, sticks with you after the record stops.
and my personal favorite, "Enough Rope"- A cover that Parker turns into one of the record’s emotional high points. It's parts sparse, part devastating, and precisely the kind of moment that makes you stop what you’re doing and actually listen. This one's heavy.
Parker McCollum is the record where he finally stops worrying about being the next George Strait on the radio and just becomes Parker McCollum. It’s not flawless. The middle drags a little, and a couple of songs don’t stick. But the highs are absolutely worth it.
If you’ve been waiting for him to sound less like “the industry’s next big thing” and more like the kid who wrote The Limestone Kid, this is the one. Stream it, buy it, and if he comes through your city, go see it live.
Also be sure to check out my interview with Parker at Windy City Smokeout last summer -
and his tribute to Toby Keith that he crushed for this special
and apple music release -
p.s. - (I used to be the type who would try to listen to an album the second it came out, fire off a take on it after not even digesting it, and then reading what everybody else thought who did the same. Then Chris Stapleton released Higher in 2023. I gave it a listen and was initially disappointed. Not disappointed in the sense of, "oh man, this sucks." But more so that I was expecting something else, didn't hear it, and so I thought it was a letdown. Then, over the next 2-3 months of playing it on long drives, having my favorited songs pop back up on "for you" playlist, it began to grow on me. Before I knew it, it became one of my favorite albums I'd heard. It didn't "hit" at first because compared to Traveller, and Starting Over, it was totally different and unique creatively. I was measuring an artists work against their works of old- even though I knew not to- subconsciously or whatever. I'm rambling now, but the point I'm trying to make is I realized that rushing to consume new material, and spit out a review of that so you can be the first to have an official take is lame. And a disservice to not only the artist, but to music in general. Also to yourself. If I had taken my initial reaction to Higher, and written it off and never gone back to it, I would have deprived myself from songs like "Mountains of My Mind", "South Dakota", and "Loving You On My Mind". So, with all of that said, I made it a point to take time on writing official reviews- I don't give a shit how "old" internet commenters think something is. Let the Rolling Stones and Pitchforks be first out of the gate with their trendy and hipster takes. If that's what you're looking for you know where to find them.)