Credit good timing or the muscle of their major label, but
Midland's idiosyncratic retro vibe struck gold in 2017, giving them a major hit single with "Drinkin' Problem." Since their neon-lit country clicked the first time around, it makes sense the
Midland would double down on their '80s vintage on their second album, 2019's
Let It Roll. Once again working with producers
Josh Osborne,
Shane McAnally, and
Dann Huff, the trio from Dripping Springs, Texas continue to fuse the mellow vibes of middle-aged
Merle with the casual confidence of
George Strait. This time around,
Midland dials back the twangy snap that gave 2017's
On the Rocks the occasional kick. Every so often,
Let It Roll kicks into second gear: "21st Century Honky Tonk American Band" rolls into a nasty country-rock grind, "Mr. Lonely" maintains their tie to
Dwight Yoakam's Bakersfield shuffle and even though it lopes to a lazy honky tonk beat, "Every Song's a Drinkin' Song" provides a welcome dose of barroom humor. Still,
Let It Roll hums along to an easy, laid-back tempo, favoring soft, hazy harmonies and layered guitars to lean traditionalist country. As a production, it's pretty difficult to resist; it's as supple and comforting as a favorite old chair. The sound is so alluring, it's easy to overlook how many songs simply glide by without ever quite catching hold. Maybe that's due to how
Midland's touch is so light it's nearly invisible.
Mark Wystrach has a pleasant, amiable voice that lends the trio's songs the slightest hint of gravel, but it -- along with the harmonies of
Jess Carson and
Cameron Duddy -- is a mere element in the warm, enveloping production of
Let It Roll. It's a record that gets by on feel, not songs, which may mean that it doesn't provide many distinguishing hooks, but it does sound awfully good as it plays. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine