By Kate Tocke, Contributor 

[Hickman Holler; 2023]

Rating: 7/10

Key Tracks: “Phone Calls and Emails”, “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, “In Your Love” 

Tyler Childers is no stranger to whipping up a good album out of the blue. Childers’ most recent release, Rustin’ In The Rain, is a short, simple, and easy listen. Childers has always been a storyteller, and that is still very apparent in this record. Rustin’ In The Rain is Childers’ sixth studio album, and stays true-to-form with his formula. This seven-song assembly still lingers with notes of classic country and gospel, which are apparent in almost all of his projects. He carries his tried and true country themes in this new project, making it another one of Childers’ lovely listens.

Read more: Album Review: Grandaddy – Sumday: Excessive Baggage 

The record starts off with the self-titled track that is a little misleading to what the actual project holds. It races with bluegrass strings and an aggressively yeehaw beat. This track is only misleading because almost every song to follow has a ballad-like structure. The following track “Phone Calls and Emails” shows the quick change of pace from boot stomping to wanting to drown my sorrows in whiskey like a true cowboy, but he does it beautifully.

“Luke 2:8-10” shows off those nice storytelling skills he has up his sleeve. This song depicts a different way of looking at this biblical story that talks about shepherds who are visited by angels. You can sense all the different emotions that are being portrayed in the song. Most noticeable being fear, which works rather nicely with the joyful melody. The next track is the most notable one. He strips down the Kris Kristofferson track “Help Me Make It Through the Night” to its most soulful self. This song will take you to church. There is a clear sense of passion behind the vocals that makes you crave more. 

The last three tracks are pretty forgettable but good with some closer examination. The single that was released prior to the full album, “In Your Love,” has received some outrage from certain groups because Childers illustrates the story of two male coal miners falling in love with each other. But the song (and accompanying music video) works very well, and displays a great sense of storytelling. The album closes itself out with another soft song. “Space and Time” has nice use of piano and the belting that Childers produces will leave you feeling warm.

Rustin In The Rain didn’t leave me speechless, but there isn’t much to complain about when Tyler Childers drops a new record. He is one of the best when it comes to representing Appalachian American music and continues to do so more than competently. If you are one who likes blues or country classics or are an enjoyer of Junior Kimbrough, I would recommend giving this a listen. 

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7rSObXhKazzmeZFHuGX1mx?si=O_Iy4s8UQzySMx-ws4kOqw