Spencer Crandall. Photo: Nina Long
Independent country singer-songwriter Spencer Crandall believes that a great album should answer three questions: Where do you come from? Where are you now? Where are you going?
After breaking into the country scene in 2016, Crandall has grown his following to nearly 3 million strong. With viral hits such as “My Person” and “Made,” he has racked up 250 million global artist streams. Now, Crandall is getting ready to answer his three important questions with his new studio album Western, due out Oct. 21.
Spencer Crandall at Urban Cowboy. Photo: OH Creative.
Unafraid to pull from his own experiences, Crandall puts everything he has into creating music his audience can relate to. That was evident at east Nashville’s Urban Cowboy on Tuesday (Sept. 20) as he took industry members through the six chapters of his newest album.
The theme of the 20-track album was inspired by Crandall’s relatives and their move out west in 1880s to create a better life.
“Although [the album] is my authentic storytelling and my stories, I believe it’s everyone’s stories. We all have a western journey. We all have a hero’s journey that we need to go on. We all have a dream and a version of a life well-lived in our heads,” he says.
Western‘s story is told through six chapters: Scorpion, Mustang, Revolver, Pickaxe, Desert and Gold. Each chapter contains a collection of songs that depict a part of the journey, alternating between presenting the obstacles and refocusing on the goals of the ride “out west.”
The first chapter, Scorpion, portrays the fear of starting the quest to become your best self. This section features the track “K[no]w Better,” which describes the act of doing the opposite of what you know is best. The second chapter, titled Mustang, symbolizes the freedom and bravery to chase your dreams and live life to the fullest. Home to the song “Didn’t Do,” this chapter talks about overcoming the paralyzing fear of regret.
Pictured (L-R): Spencer Crandall, Austin Mullins (WME), Jeff Cherry (Hudson Hill Mgmt.). Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo
The six tracks of the third chapter, Revolver, represent the six bullets held within the handgun’s chamber. This section outlines the cycle of a toxic relationship with songs such as “Girls Like You.” The next chapter, Pickaxe, follows by describing the hard work it takes to break that cycle, and the effort that must be put in to achieve your goals. Pickaxe houses the track “Made,” which Crandall featured in his Opry debut on Friday (Sept. 16), and more.
The fifth chapter, Desert, focuses on the contemplation of life choices and the changes that need to be made in order to reach the desired destination. The final chapter, Gold, centers around the idea that the journey defines a life well-lived, and lessons are learned or “gold is found” every step of the way.
Crandall plans to hit the road on “The Western Tour” next month, and the full album will be released on Oct. 21.
Western Track Listing:
1. “There is A Fire” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Nathan Johnson, Asher Peterson, Jonah Oh
2. “K[no]w Better” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Lydia Dall, Royale Lynn, Jeff Cherry
3. “Get Away From Me” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Michael August, Carlo Colasacco
4. “The Ballad of the Mustang” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Lydia Dall
5. “Didn’t Do” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Haley Mae Campbell, Lydia Dall
6. “7 and 70” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Aubrey Toone, Charlie Brennan
7. “What Do We Do Now?” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Scott Porter, Joe Tounge
8. “Friends” // Spencer Crandall, Joe Tounge, Nate Dodge
9. “Girls Like You” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Joe Tounge, Lauren McLamb
10. “No New Memories” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Gus Ross, Luke Eisner
11. “Future in the Past” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Joe Tounge, Lauren McLamb
12. “To Be Continued…” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Joe Tounge, Nate Dodge
13. “Red Flags” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Gus Ross, Luke Eisner
14. “Made” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Andrew Beason, Ian McConnell, Jeff Cherry
15. “You’re Still The One” // Written by Shania Twain, Robert John Lange
16. “Side of the Stage” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Lydia Dall, Lauren McLamb
17. “Enough” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Austin Brown, Jeffrey East, Steven Martinez
18. “Getting There” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Tofer Brown, Lauren Huntgate
19. “Anyone” // Written by Justin Bieber, Jonathan Bellion, Andrew Wotman, Alexander Izquierdo, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Michael Pollack, Raul Cubina
20. “Our Forever” // Written by Spencer Crandall, Kelly Archer, Rhett Akins
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