Jon Pardi - 'Heartache Medication' Album - A Review

Jon Pardi has without a doubt been up and coming in the Country music scene for many years now, making a standout impact in 2016 with his second album California Sunrise that included number one smash hit "Dirt on My Boots." Now, Pardi is back with his third studio album, entitled Heartache Medication, which is already making waves in Country radio, and has created an exclusive buzz following its September 27th release.

May 2019 saw the first release of promotional singles, when the title track was released. Co-written with The Highwomen member Natalie Hemby, and Grammy-award winning songwriter Luke Laird, Heartache Medication tells a story of the 'same old end-of-the-work-week drink.' It solidifies the feel of Classic Country that Pardi has trailblazed in recent years, and gives the perfect summary of what to expect for the album.

A month later in June, two more promotional singles were released; "Ain't Always The Cowboy" and "Me and Jack." A heartbreaking twist on the 'Cowboy riding away' was written by successful duo Brandon Kinney and Josh Thompson, responsible for hits such as Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert's "Drowns the Whiskey." The song lets Pardi explore his more emotional side, before he flips to a destroying relationship with whiskey in the song "Me and Jack." Again solidifying his old-school forte, including references to Johnny Cash, the song is a foot-tapping classic that entails a clever partnership between Pardi and Jack Daniels, that also features some of the best instrumentals of the record. Co-written with Bart Butler, Luke Laird, and "Dirt on My Boots" writer Rhett Akins, it is an instant favourite of the record, and will no doubt be a great one to hear live. The last promotional single to be released, sings about wanting "Tequila Little Time" with you (say it out loud). Once again co-written with Laird and Akins, it is the quintessential Country take on a saying. Highlighting his vocals, it is a track that you cannot stop yourself from swaying to.

On release of the album, we get to hear ten more songs, including "Old Hat" and "Call Me Country" that salute classic Country music and keep it alive. The tracks were written by Jeff Hyde, Matt Jenkins, Ryan Tendell and Pardi, Bart Butler, Driver Williams respectively. Pardi describes himself as a 'ghost on the radio' in "Call Me Country" and serves to honour legends such as Willie and Waylon. Whilst "Old Hat" is more a salute to the era than the music, it poses the question 'When did old-fashioned become so out of fashion?' The song is the first track on the album, and with absolute grace, Pardi answers the question perfectly by making old-fashioned, fashionable with this entire record.

Now of course it would not be a Country record without at least a few all-out love songs. Whether or not they are about his girlfriend of two years, Summer Duncan, or not, we don't know. But I sure as hell wouldn't mind if these songs were written about me. "Nobody Leaves a Girl Like That" written by Bart Butler, alongside Marv Green and Jimmy Yeary, is the admittance of a guy that was 'reckless and wild' and whom shouldn't have left a girl the way he did. It is a lesson to not only the subject of a song, but also those 'stubborn' boys who don't think they're ready to commit. Pardi reflects this message once again in "Love Her Like She's Leaving" written again by Butler, with father-daughter duo Dean and Jessie Jo Dillon. One of my personal favourites on the record, the emotion and vulnerability in Pardi's vocals, combined with the clever and heartfelt lyrics, that could have easily been written for George Strait, like many of Dean Dillon's previous hits, it makes for a timeless classic love song. "Just Like Old Times" equally reflects on the maturity of Pardi's writing and new record. He co wrote the song with Jeff Hyde and Michael Heeney, and it gives thought to meeting an old love after the relationship has burned down. Whilst this could have been written as a break-up song, the ending of the chorus works with 'we might start something new' bringing a whole new lease of life and meaning to the track.

"Tied One On" (Bart Butler, Chase McGill, Jamie Paulin), "Oughta Know That" (Pardi, Bart Butler, Luke Laird), and "Buy That Man a Beer" (Clint Daniels, Justin Lantz, John Pierce) are all strong original Country kick-back and relax songs. Spotlighting the music and feel, they bring me back to Pardi's first two albums, and the young, fun vibes that came with them. However, these show more maturity, and also maybe more lessons in life, especially "Oughta Know That," which signifies what he thinks he should know by now, and what is expected of him today.

A standout of the record and the only collaboration, is "Don't Blame It On Whiskey" that features ACM winner Lauren Alaina. The track was written by Eric Church and Miranda Lambert, alongside Luke Laird and Michael Heeney, frequent collaborators of Pardi, as well as Church and Lambert. Disguising a break up by blaming it on alcohol is never the answer, and this song describes that to a T. Pardi and Alaina's vocals blend effortlessly, and the clever lyrics such as 'don't let alcohol take the fall' are unique as ever. But would you expect anything less with songwriters like that?

The final track of the album is "Starlight" that indicates in all his good and bad times, someone has been there, looking down on him. A perfect way to end the record; the lyrics, by Pardi, Bart Butler and Jeffrey Steele, could easily make for a heartbreaking song, but the music and melody make it one that you want to dance and sing along to. It combines the ideal mix of old and new Country, summarising the entire album flawlessly.

Pardi is known for his stage presence and ability to put on a great show, and this new album will undoubtedly feature prominently within his new performances. There are many that will be fan favourites, as well as some that will bring tears, laughter, and of course dancing to the audience. A stellar record from a stellar artist, Heartache Medication brings classic Country music to a new generation, and hopefully will have as greater impact as his previous records.

You can catch Jon Pardi on tour throughout the US until the end of 2019.

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