As of this writing only three tracks have been released from Margo Price‘s debut full length Midwest Farmer’s Daughter. But this quick trip back to the golden era of country is enough to convince me that Price is more than worthy of carrying the torch. Late 60’s and 70’s country, for me, is the pinnacle of the genre. The raw emotions and the honky tonk sound so rich you could smell the sawdust on the floor are but a couple of reasons why. There’s less than a handful of likeminded country artists these days so when one such as this comes along it is a time when us dinosaurs rejoice.

In an era when country radio is dominated with the pop version of an art form that at one time was much the same as metal — rebellious — along comes Price to make it edgy and dangerous again. Of course, with this bucking of current trends there’s a chance radio will never play these songs. But, again just like metal, it doesn’t matter, true art made by true artists will survive and thrive with or without it. As a big part of my childhood and life to this day, I could go on and on about Waylon, Jessi Colter and the like but you get the idea and Price is cut from this same cloth.

Thirty two years old and a native of Illinois, her songs have a world weary maturity twice her age. Even though the true tearjerkers have yet to be revealed Price still hits a nerve on the all acoustic and mid tempo “Desperate and Depressed”. From rehab to self medication and people that would just assume stab you in the back than do the right thing, she describes in detail living with pain and suffering.

Then, “Hurtin (On the Bottle)” goes heavy on a two-step barroom swing that all but hides the fact that heartache is at the song’s core. Her voice and phrasing has a lot in common with Tammy Wynette. Comparisons are almost impossible to miss but Price carries it to the next level with a visceral and unbridled power. Here, she does it sparingly to not give too much away ahead of the release.

The way these songs can make you feel like dancing, yet would be the perfect companion to a night of heavy drinking to forget, is the beauty of powerful and earnest country music. It’s an almost lost art form but with Margo Price it just seems to come naturally. She’s lived these songs and is not afraid to let us into her world.

-Josh

Midwest Farmer’s Daughter will be available March 25 on Third Man Records. For more information on Margo Price visit her official website.