Midnight Gasoline

Jamey Johnson’s string of aughts and early-2010s albums remain some of country music’s most beloved releases. On those records, the Alabama-born singer-songwriter captivated fans with his once-in-a-generation voice and masterful storytelling, influencing stars like Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert. This first release from Johnson in over a decade finds him still in fighting shape, his voice as rich as ever and his perspective as charmingly cranky, too. Opening track “Bad Guy” is a slinky slow burn that lets Johnson stretch his legs, drawing out notes and taking his time over a loping beat. He lies back and takes it easy on the title track, which sounds influenced by Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett in equal measure. Randy Houser joins Johnson on two tracks: the big and brassy “Trudy” and the last-call ballad “I’m Tired of It All.” Johnson recorded *Midnight Gasoline* at John Carter Cash’s Cash Cabin studio, once owned by Cash’s parents Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Johnson recorded other albums there too, which are slated for a future Cash Cabin series.