He wears a cowboy hat but unlike many artists from the 1990s and early 2000s, Cody Johnson’s hat ain’t no act. He’s an authentic cowboy like Chris LeDoux and like the late legend, Cody's found a home within country music and blends some interesting song choices. He wrote 9 of the 14 tracks on the album with writers like David Lee, Chris DuBois, Dan Couch, Terry McBride and his mentor and album producer Trent Willmon and it’s immediately evident from these songs that Johnson has the ability to be a big ole radio star, if radio will take a shine to his authentic yet modern country music.
First single “With You I Am” may recall a Luke Bryan-like vibe in the melody and lyric and perhaps some sort of radio concession but really it’s just a damn good love song. It’s the kind of hook-laden mid-tempo ballad that fans have loved for years and Johnson’s sturdy baritone has all kinds of character which is showcased throughout the record on plenty of other tracks, including the breezy, swinging “Gotta Be Me,” a song which sets the tone for the rest of this record. “The Only One I Know (Cowboy Life)” shows off Johnson’s tenor side of his baritone vocal while singing a lyric about a rodeo man who can’t shake the life for the life of him.
Traditionalists will love the waltz “Walk Away,” a song co-written by Cody and Randy Rogers. It’s a classic song about cheating and knowing about a cheating woman and figuring out what to do. It’s full of delicious fiddle and steel guitar. Speaking of Fiddle, “Wild As You” feels as classic country as a turnip green while “Billy’s Brother” is down right fun. The mid-tepo “Every Scar Has A Story” may not feel like those other three tunes but it’s definitely one of the lyrical gems on Gotta Be Me.
“Chain Drinkin’” is another COUNTRY song and one that’ll do well in the dusty dance halls while “Grass Stains” has a funky country groove to it and some fans may find it interesting that both songs were written by rising duo Brothers Osborne. The album closes with the hymn “I Can’t Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand)” and it’s a special song for Cody Johnson as he and his parents sing a song he grew to love during his days in the Church.
With Gotta Be Me, Cody Johnson is making a mission statement. It’s that his brand of country music not only suits Texas but it also announces the arrival of another star that the big labels in Nashville will be forced to pay attention to. With songs about lovin’, leavin’, cheatin’, and the Church, Gotta Be Me has something for every modern country music fan.
marscnboy
I really like his new album and I am listenning to it everyday. The lyrics in this album are well writen. I can find lots of rhymes. His voice and singing skills are becoming better and better.