Everything about Sam Outlaw says “clever”. From the cover – a knowing wink at all those “Essential” series albums (of which I own far too many, usually just because they had an extra track or two) – to the songs themselves. This isn’t just a collection thrown together; he’s thought this through.
A former ad exec, Outlaw began writing songs as a hobby. If that job alone conjures up images of Mad Men–style smoky rooms, then there’s a certain old-school feel baked into his music. But it’s old-school charm updated for the modern age.
“Do You Really Love Me” is exquisitely crafted – timeless yet fresh. “Up All Night” struts in funky, bluesy, playful fashion. Elsewhere, the songs that didn’t quite “fit” on his previous records actually feel crucial to understanding him. “Lonely Man,” with its candid discussion of mental health (“who we are is who we really are, when nobody’s looking”), feels like a statement piece.
He excels at the slower, more mournful numbers too. “Waiting For Someone” aches with a melancholy air. “MFFIL” is breezy and timeless, a playful counterpoint, while “Get To Know Me” carries the weight and wisdom of a country lifer who has studied the greats and knows exactly where he belongs in that lineage.
Outlaw also has a knack for blurring eras and influences. “I Never Saw Him Cry” is a brilliant exploration of what it means to be a man, balancing traditional country storytelling with modern introspection. “Forever And Always” lands in classic duet territory, Sarah Darling’s cameo elevating it into something truly special.
Then there are the moments that feel like hidden treasures. The acoustic version of “In My Arms” is the kind of intimate b-side Spotify robbed us of, while “Rock N Bisexual” is quirky power-pop perfection – the sort of thing you’d expect from Fountains of Wayne at their sharpest.
Just as you’re settling into the country textures, “Pink Paradise” bursts out as a 60s-style garage rocker, while “Be Somebody” closes in cinematic fashion, sounding tailor-made for the end credits of some Netflix drama.
And here’s the kicker: these are the songs Sam Outlaw didn’t think fit on his albums. Which only underlines the point – if this is what he considers “Nonessential,” then the rest of us should probably reconsider what essential really means.
