Blues rock powerhouse Justin Cody Fox releases his new long player, New Southern. Produced by Fox, Audley Freed, and Tommy Brothers. New Southern chronicles the journey of a blue-collar musician who documents life as art through song.
“I wrote all the songs from real-life experiences and really tried to take a looking-glass approach to my life and the lives around me. We can only see through our own eyes but that doesn’t mean we can’t relate those stories to the human condition and curate them onto a sonic canvas,” says Fox.
Joining Fox on the album is a who’s who of talent, including Audley Freed, Tommy Brothers, Fred Eltringham, Seth Aldridge (drums), David Morse (bass), Robert Kearns (bass), Jen Gunderman (keyboards), Rhett Huffman (keyboards), and Tarsha Murphy (backing vocals).
Based in North Carolina, by the time he was 15 years old, Fox had attained regional fame for his ability on the guitar. Since then, he has written and recorded multiple albums, toured throughout the East Coast and Virgin Islands, and shared the stage with artists such as Damon Johnson, Vince Neil, Mother’s Finest, David Lee Roth, Blackfoot, Joe Bonamassa, American Minor, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Three Doors Down, Candlebox, Marshall Tucker Band, Buddy Guy, and Gregg Allman, as well as a host of others.
Comprising 11 tracks, New Southern begins with “Living Ghosts,” opening on gleaming blues guitars flowing into a fat, mid-tempo rhythm vaguely reminiscent of Tom Petty, only with more flavors of country and blues.
Talking about the song, Fox shares, “I wrote the lyrics and original arrangement after seeing news about the 2017 Las Vegas shooting –it’s a balancing act of tension and grief.”
Speaking subjectively, entry points include “18 Wheels,” brimming with tight, low-slung, growling guitars and punchy percussion. Fox’s slightly drawling voice imbues the lyrics with luscious, evocative tones.
The intro to “Blue Hearted Fool” features a delicious bluesy guitar, followed by the entry of a smoldering, braying organ, giving the tune aching colors that conjure up suggestions of Robert Cray. Glowing, gospel-laced harmonies add buttery depth and dimension as Fox’s voice reveals his hurt and heartache.
A personal favorite because of its hefty, snarling guitars, “Show Me Your Light” pumps out thick washes of blues rock surfaces.
Fox explains, “I really wanted to have fun with this track and keep my inspirations right on my sleeve. The lyrics are sexy, and we really tried to keep some tension in the music to bolster that sensuality.”
Drenched in tasty country-rock savors, “Dying Breed” ripples with hints of outlaw country and is highlighted by a dazzling, platinum-hued guitar solo. The final track, “Old Man Rest” features scrummy gospel vocals atop a haunting acoustic guitar.
At once wonderfully wrought and grandly arranged, with New Southern, Justin Cody Fox delivers a stellar, compelling album.
