Album Review - Julie Roberts “Ain’t In No Hurry”
If there's a country album from the past year that you need to listen to, it's Julie Roberts' "Ain't In No Hurry." Produced by Shooter Jennings and Erin Enderlin, the collection is unlike anything we've heard from the singer on her previous efforts. While it was nearly a decade in-between full-fledged albums, the wait was worth it.
Find out which country classic she covered on the project.
Learn how she completed a song once started by Waylon Jennings.
Two duets highlight the project - we'll talk about the superstar singing partners.
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There is so much new music in the country format but one album that I keep returning to is from one of my all-time favorite artists. When Julie Roberts released her first album in 2004 - I was floored. I was 16 and that record just became a part of my life - and even then, I thought it had a timeless sound - everything from the lyrics, production, song choices, background vocalists - everything was flawless.
And she was the it-girl in country music during that time period- I had a VHS tape where I recorded her performances on The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and had the copy of USA Today Weekend when it profiled her and Dierks Bentley, who was also on the rise around that time.
It's been quite some time since we've had new music from Julie Roberts - her last release was in 2013 - so when she began revealing on social media that she was in the studio, I was so excited.
I was thrilled that new music was on the way and then she announces the producers of the album, and the anticipation is now on a different level. She's got Shooter Jennings and Erin Enderlin producing this album. This is dream team stuff here.
September of 2022, we get the first single and it's a duet with Jamey Johnson - it's called “Music City's Killing Me” and hands down it’s one of the best songs to be released the entire year. And this song sets up the tone for the rest of the record.
Ain't in No Hurry is released in October of 2022 and with one listen I knew it was the best album of the year in country music. If you are a fan of traditional country - you're going to love this album.
She's has a fantastic duet with Randy Houser on here - there's a great mix of up-tempo songs and of course, the country gold ballads are highlights. There's a song that Shooter Jennings presented to her that his dad Waylon began writing and Julie was able to finish writing and it’s something unlike anything she's ever recorded. Excellent job. Julie Roberts has always been able to write or record songs that have a unique flair to them - and nothing on this album chases trends. Erin Enderlin and Shooter Jennings did a remarkable job producing it.
Sometimes you see artists try to act like they are still in their 20s and release vapid and trendy music to try to remain commercially relevant. This is not one of those albums. This is an artist who knows who she is and that comes across on this record.
For me, "The King and His Crown" features the classic storytelling that is missing from country radio right now. There's a song called "When You Wake Up in the Bed You Made” - it's my absolute favorite from the album.
There's also a cover of KT Oslin's “Do Ya” - KT was an artist that only recorded 6 studio albums over the course of her career - but they were masterpieces and really goes to prove that quality over quantity really solidifies an artist's lasting imprint. And that's the case with Julie Roberts - she recorded two albums that were released on major labels, released two more independently, along with a holiday album and other singles - and she does things on her terms and gets to call the shots.
I want the world to know about this album! You can purchase an autographed copy on her website, and of course, it’s available on all streaming platforms. And maybe you’re an event producer – go book Julie Roberts for one of your events or venues because I want to see her! She’s touring in support of this album, so if she comes your way, check her show out so you can hear all these new songs!