Louisiana native Jordan Davis broke out onto the national stage with 2018s Home State, a buoyant country-pop debut that established him as a rising star. He doubled down on the studio polish with 2023s Bluebird Days and was rewarded with a Top 20 chart placement and platinum status. Learn the Hard Way is Davis third LP, and while its not a huge leap from its predecessors, he does take a subtle shift toward a more organic, roots-influenced sound. This is most evident on tracks like "Louisiana Stick," a swampy rocker featuring Marcus King, and the rugged anthem "Son of a Gun." Theres also a duet with Carly Pearce on the ballad "Mess with Missing You." Produced by longtime collaborator Paul DiGiovanni, Learn the Hard Way retains the mix of breezy warmth and modern pop affectations that have made Davis a star while introducing a hint of grit for added texture. ~ Timothy Monger
Rovi