Lonestar State Of Mind: A Raw, Gritty Ride Through Folk and Country Vibes
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. If you’re looking for something that smacks of authenticity without all the shiny polish most albums drown in, Lonestar State Of Mind by Bo Outlaw & Løiten Twang Depot is your ticket. Released back in 2016 under Rootsy Records (yeah, Norway—don’t ask me how they nailed this vibe so hard), this album slaps harder than a Nashville bar fight. It’s folk, world, and country rolled into one messy, beautiful package. And damn, does it work.
Let’s talk tracks because not every song hits like a freight train, but when they do, you feel it deep in your bones. First up? “Workin’ For The Weekend.” This tune grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. It’s got this relentless energy, like a caffeine-fueled road trip where nothing matters except getting there. The lyrics are sharp enough to slice through steel, and the twangy guitar riffs? Pure fire. You can almost smell the sweat on the strings. I ain’t kidding—it sticks with you long after the last note fades.
Then there’s “Viking Cowboy,” which is just…what even IS that? A wild mashup of Scandinavian grit and cowboy swagger, maybe? Whatever it is, it works. Like, really works. There’s this weird tension between Bo Outlaw’s gravelly voice and the soaring melodies that feels like riding a mechanical bull at a ski lodge. Confusing? Sure. Addictive? Hell yeah. It’s the kind of track that makes you wanna throw on a ten-gallon hat while chugging aquavit. Don’t think too hard about it; just enjoy the chaos.
The rest of the album ain’t half bad either. Tracks like “Girl Of My Dreams” hit softer notes, almost tender if you squint, while “Breaking Bad” leans into outlaw territory with enough attitude to make Walter White proud. But honestly, the whole thing flows together like whiskey poured over ice—smooth yet dangerous.
Here’s the kicker, though. Listening to this album feels less like hearing music and more like sitting around a campfire swapping stories with strangers who somehow get you. Weird flex for a Norwegian band dipping their toes into Americana, right? But hey, maybe that’s why it works. They don’t try to be anyone else—they just lean into the rawness of it all.
So yeah, Lonestar State Of Mind. Not perfect, not trying to be. Just real. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. Now excuse me while I blast “Workin’ For The Weekend” again.
