Country musician Joshua Hedley has unveiled his new album All Hat, out October 24 via New West Records. Produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, the record pays tribute to classic country eras with a blend of historical influences and original songwriting. Hedley shares the full album early, highlighting its energetic twang and personal insights.
Joshua Hedley's latest album, All Hat, arrives as a vibrant homage to country's rich history, produced by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. Released October 24 through New West Records, it continues Hedley's tradition of exploring genres like countrypolitan on Mr. Jukebox and 1990s new wave on Neon Blue. Described as timeless twang ideal for dancing, All Hat positions Hedley as a country music anthropologist, reviving forgotten elements of the art form. A staple at Nashville's Robert’s Western World, Hedley calls this his bona fide masterpiece, evoking the style of artists like Bob Wills and Keith Whitley.
The album features 11 tracks, each with a story from Hedley. It opens with “Come Take A Ride With Me,” a bouncy tune masking a tale of premarital sex by a 1930s river. “Boogie Woogie Tennessee” revives a 1950 Ricky Riddle song Hedley discovered on a burned CD in a Craigslist-purchased Dodge Durango, interpreting it as a nod to a partying retirement community. “Fresh Hot Biscuits,” written the night before recording, emphasizes energy and rhythm in Western Swing, likening them to flour and milk.
“Mean Mama Blues” delivers a simple blues about a tough girlfriend, while the title track “All Hat (No Cattle)” addresses the 2025 authenticity crisis in country music. Hedley pokes fun at the idea that one must be a cowboy to perform the genre, stating, “It’s all a load of BS if you ask me... Do you love country music? Did you put every ounce of yourself into that record or performance? Congratulations, you’re an authentic country singer.” “Stuck In Texas” simply affirms his affection for the state.
“Clueless” emerged from improvising on Gershwin’s Rhythm Changes, and “The Waltz I Promised to You” upholds Hedley's rule of including a waltz per album. The instrumental “Hedliner Polka” marks his first such composition, which he proudly notes. Co-written with Brennen Leigh, “Crawlin’ Home To You” starts with an unexpected line about North Dakota's orange blossoms. Closing track “Over the Line,” the album's first song, incorporates numerous gambling puns after prolonged refinement.
Hedley shares All Hat early ahead of his Nashville World Tour, which begins today, inviting fans to experience its blend of student-like reverence and savant-level execution.
