Change of Plans

Don’t let the title fool you: This sixth studio album from the beloved band 49 Winchester isn’t a departure from the gritty, narrative country rock of its predecessors, but rather an expansion. The band decamped to one of Dave Cobb’s state-of-the-art studios in Savannah, Georgia, to record <i>Change of Plans</i>, leaning into the Grammy-winning producer’s uncanny ability to help artists sound more like themselves. The album, then, won’t sound unfamiliar to long-time fans, though it does feel more spacious and lived-in, both narratively and sonically. Take lead single <b>“Slowly”,</b> a rich and layered account of shedding youthful bad habits in favour of growing spiritually, with an aching vocal from Isaac Gibson that reinforces the complex emotions explored lyrically. <b>“Oh Savannah”</b> takes inspiration from its titular city, though Gibson and company personify the coastal town to craft a story of unrequited love. Other highlights include opener <b>“The Window”,</b> which takes an unflinching look at the iniquities of blue-collar labor, and <b>“Bringin’ Home the Bacon”,</b> a two-stepper with shades of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steve Earle.