When compiling a list of the greatest country music singers of our time, Josh Turner must be at or near the top. If he’s not, the list loses credibility. Turner’s deep, resonant bass notes, combined with a rich, earthy tone and the conviction behind his voice, make him one of the most elite voices in country music today.
However, one of the biggest tragedies in country music over the past decade has been the underutilization of Josh Turner’s immense talent. Like artists such as Joe Nichols, Gary Allan, and many female performers like Sunny Sweeney, Turner found himself sidelined during the rise of the Bro-Country era. These artists were either ignored by their labels or pushed to chase the fleeting trends of the day.
Turner arguably faced the most significant setback. After releasing his 2012 album Punching Bag, he took a five-year hiatus before returning in 2017 with Deep South.
Unfortunately, this comeback album was met with lukewarm reception, as pop and Bro-Country influences overshadowed the traditional country sound Turner was known for.
While Deep South wasn’t a bad album, it didn’t live up to the high standard set by Turner’s earlier hits like “Your Man” and “Would You Go With Me.”
The silver lining in this situation was that Turner’s decline in radio popularity gave him the freedom to pursue his true passion. This newfound creative liberty resulted in the 2018 Gospel album I Serve A Savior, a 2020 country classics cover album Country State of Mind, and the 2021 Christmas record King Size Manger.
Now, with This Country Music Thing, Turner returns with his first original album in five years. The album doesn’t try to be anything it’s not; it’s simply Josh Turner singing eleven country songs in a way that only he can. From the moment you hear him drop his voice to sing the title of the opening track “Down In Georgia,” you’re immediately transported to country music heaven.
This Country Music Thing is undeniably country, leaning more towards a traditional sound than contemporary trends. However, it doesn’t tap into the current hot trend of ’90s country that many artists are revisiting. Turner is a product of the 2000s, not the ’90s, which might leave him in a bit of a country music no man’s land—where neither mainstream radio nor the younger generation fully embraces his work.
Turner may also no longer have access to the best songs available. The tracks on the new album are consistently good but rarely great. Nevertheless, there are some standout moments. “Somewhere With Her” fits Turner perfectly, and the songs he wrote himself, particularly the autobiographical title track and the closing song “Unsung Hero,” are especially noteworthy. The latter, a tribute to those who serve in the military, is heartfelt and impactful.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what Josh Turner is singing, as long as he’s singing something. Whether it’s Gospel, Christmas music, covers, or the selections from This Country Music Thing, his voice remains one of the most powerful in country music. It’s a voice we’re fortunate to hear, and one we should never take for granted.
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