Album Review: Tyler Edwards – A Few Good Hearts

If you like singer songwriters that we feature around here like David Ramirez and Noah Gundersen, you really need to check out this Tyler Edwards fella. He’s absolutely the real deal. He can write some incredible REAL music.

“Hazy Goodbye” hits about as hard as a modern country song can hit. I love that it’s not just a bro country style of track, though, instead coming with a Dustin Kensrue-style authenticity. The rhythm gets your boots rocking, but the track overall slows to a waltz time that makes you squint your eyes with that “ohhh yeah” face.

“Don’t Rush Me” has a bit more of an alt rock vibe to it, but it really fits in conversation with David Ramirez on that front. “Take your chance when you’re still young… glory flickers like a candle in the desert sun.” Yeah, with writing like that who would listen to any other albums? I seriously love the way it’s as serious as a heart attack, while also being something you can move to while you listen.

“Pretty People” is a no-doubt rock song. It’s got a really interesting countercultural message about materialism. It is contrasted really well with “A Few Good Hearts,” which comes closer to a country or folk song, about real people and real life. The lyrics again are nicely poetic and intriguing. I hope he plays this in every room in Nashville, because he deserves to be recognized on that stage for this quality.

Now if you’re reading this but not listening to the album, stop that right now. I mean, keep the post up, but listen to the track “Southern Belle.” It’s not Gone with the Wind. It’s about so much more than that; it’s about a fairytale, sure, but it’s about the raw realities of love, too. It’s not really provocative, so much as deeply rich and engaging. The song is “next level” good.

“Talk so tough” has a sort of CCR-meets-grunge vibe to it. Maybe not for fans of some of Edwards’ slower stuff, but still a fun track. This is the one for the party to get your friends asking, “who is THAT?” Tapping into a familiar writing space, “Girl in the Southeast” conjures comparisons to folks like Matthew Mayfield and even Jason Isbell. With images of southern pines and pretty ladies, you can’t help but think of the sweltering country of the SEC. It’s romantic in the way that the Avett Brothers always make us fall in love with their lovers, too.

“Plain and the Valley” is one of my favorites on the album because it feels a little like a gospel song. It’s comfortable and comforting; it reminds me that there’s more to life than what is immediately in front of me. It’s about the road and life, about faith and doubt, about trying to discover who you are. It’s one of my favorite songs of the year, really. “As You Need” closes the bar, for sure. It’s about breakup and leaving and sadness, but man it would be a nice track to slowdance to in its sincerity. There’s so much more to closing the bar than putting people to sleep; it’s about making us all connect with reality on the way out. This does that.

What a great album. If you’ve listened through while reading this, you feel like I do about how incredible Edwards really is. The names I compare him to here are one thing, but the songs pack a wallop. If you haven’t listened to his music yet, stop sleeping and get it. Give him a listen on Spotify and I bet shortly thereafter you’ll be getting his music to own. He is a next level talent and you’ll be glad to found him here.

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