JT Hayden Band Showcases Jam Session-Style Perfection on “Long Way Back to Memphis”

JT Hayden Band’s new album Long Way Back to Memphis is a 36-minute project of reflection and, most of all, a real good time. The project lyrical content tackles the realities of fame, the balance of homesickness and gratefulness for a chance of adventure, love, and heartache.

The story trying to be told is supported by the heart-swelling instrumentals. Drums, string instruments, and guitars stack on top of one another to come together in an empowering symphony. The nine track album swings through a mixture of country and rock sounds, with some light jazz influences, which mostly reveals itself in the swingy flow of the instruments and rhythm. 

The vocal performances are one of the most profound and memorable in recent country music history. Vocalists Josh Hayden, Mike Lafferty, Luke Billingsley all provide impassioned and emotional tone to their singing. Background harmonies decorate already luxurious melodies. From technical belts to brassy vocals, every performance choice seems intentional.

The introductory track “Long Way Back to Memphis” sets the tone of the album. The drums and electric guitar whist listeners into a concert like experience. The theme of the song, reminiscing about home while on a long journey fit right in with the bold sonic building blocks. “It’s a crazy feeling/ when you’re living in a song/ and everybody knows your name,” is sung passionately, as the singer reflects on missing home while simultaneously being appreciative of their journey. The song is the star of the album, the vocalists’ performances at their peak and the instrumental that is impossible to not get stuck in one’s head in the best way.

“Lonesome Road,” continues to develop the sonic theme of Long Way Back to Memphis. All the instruments blend and allows for the message to take center stage. The song highlights how it is hard to have to venture out on one’s own and to face losses along the way, but it is a natural occurrence in life. “There’s still so much love inside/ now you’ll never know/ all I have inside of me is a memory/ of what been done/ and deep inside I know your still just a part of me/ when it’s said and done.” 

For listeners who favor a stronger emphasis on a country sound, “Rebel On The Road” is the song that best matches said listeners’ taste. The track is rustic sounding love song about initially falling after a period of singleness and mere flirtations. 

Although many of the songs are high energy, the concluding piece is tender, heartfelt, and bittersweet. “Alone Inside,” features romantic violins that matches the atmosphere of the song so well that it feels as if the instrumentals are world building for the heart aching and loving story read through the song’s lyrics. The song’s gentleness is felt through the literal quieting of the track’s volume as compared to the majority of the other pieces on the project. The JT Hayden Band perfectly encapsulates the intimacy of love in its many forms and phases through their sensual vocal performance. 

Long Way Back to Memphis first and final tracks allow for the story to fully loop around. From yearning for home while still desiring to experience the world fully to feeling as if one found somebody to embark on this journey with. Intentional moments of storytelling, along with sufficient track-to-track transitions that let songs bleed together allow for this album to be one the most cohesive in recent musical history.

The JT Hayden Band clearly set out to narrate a storyline that while relatable to many, is also unique to their own life. A listener can hear within the first minute of the album how the JT Hayden Band claims their own life and experiences. Every moment feels natural, yet well thought out. This rare balance highlights the band’s true musical strength, and this album is ultimately a great piece of work to add to their portfolio. 

Written by Sarah Payne