Album Review by Jolene Rheault
Nashville’s Joelton Mayfield is about to drop his debut record Crowd Pleaser on October 24 via Bloodshot Records, and from the early listen, it’s clear this one’s all about the storytelling. The songwriting cuts sharp, blending alt-country grit with surprising bursts of intensity and melody borrowed from the world of fourth-wave emo. Think soaring choruses, dynamic shifts, and the kind of emotional honesty that makes you stop and lean in—yet it’s all woven seamlessly into an Americana framework. His lyrics wrestle with family, faith, masculinity, and the messy contradictions of growing up in small-town Texas, yet they unfold with a relatability that pulls you right in—especially for younger listeners looking for an alt-country sound that speaks their language.
The tracklist plays like a roadmap of Mayfield’s journey. “Red Beam” stood out immediately—the instrumentals are incredibly well done, pulling you into the song’s atmosphere in a way that’s hard to shake. “The Shore” hit me in a different way, with lyrics that cut deep and linger long after the track ends. “Turpentine (You Know the One)” brings that perfect mix of raw honesty and energy, while “Jacob Dreamed a Staircase” floored me with some of the best lyricism on the record. Every listen uncovers something new, whether it’s a line that makes you pause or a riff that just won’t leave your head.
And here’s the best part—Charlotte gets to hear it live TOMORROW. Joelton Mayfield is bringing these songs to The Evening Muse on Tuesday, September 16, alongside Jack Van Cleaf. The show is already sold out, which says a lot about the excitement surrounding these two artists right now. For those lucky enough to have a ticket, expect a night of raw, lyrical storytelling, unshakable melodies, and the kind of live energy that makes you remember why you fell in love with music in the first place.
This is the kind of show that reminds you—sometimes you just have to be in the room where it’s happening.
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