Album Review – The Kruse Brothers – “Heartbreak & Honky-Tonk”

Traditional Country (#510) on the Country DDS.

Get to tidying up your playlists and depth charts for country music hopefuls because the Kruse Brothers out of Phoenix, Arizona are about to disrupt the pecking order and necessitate some reshuffling. Along with generating a bunch of buzz at Mile 0 Fest down in Key West recently, they just released their debut album Heartbreak & Honky-Tonk that puffs its chest out and demands more than a passing sniff from distinguishing country fans with traditional tastes.

Brothers Chandler and Miles wrote many of the songs themselves, and then divvied up lead singing duties while mixing in some blood harmonies upon occasion. But don’t expect music like the Everly Brothers cooing about teenage love here. You get the sense these Phoenix boys have been to the grave of Waylon Jennings in nearby Mesa, and maybe even poured one out for ol’ Hoss. This is some honky-tonkin’ music that isn’t afraid to get a little rowdy.

The brothers solicited the services of producer Trent Willmon to put the twang and spit polish on this debut. Willmon is best known for working with guys like Cody Johnson and Drake Milligan, and for talking about cowboys kicking “Shaboozy” on the 2024 CMA Awards. With some hot shot pickers, they assemble an album that’s traditional country overall, but isn’t afraid to stretch its legs a little bit.

It’s always greatly appreciated when young artists champion and pay forward the timeless styles and influences of country. The Kruse Brothers song “Making Mama Cry” rekindles some old country song feelings with an involved chorus reminiscent of Johnny PayCheck. “Hummingbird” is an honest to goodness waltz like the kind you almost never hear in country anymore. “White on the Ground” comes with a Western flair, and already has 4 million spins on Spotify, so somebody’s listening to these dudes.

Don’t go getting notions that this is all dusty ‘ol Grandpa country though. It’s the energy that the Kruse Brothers bring to this music that allows it to leap out of speakers and set fire to stages. Their song “Tulsa County Jail” brings a propulsive rock element into the picture, even if it remains a country song at its heart. They explore a more contemporary, almost Americana sound in the song “Talking ‘Bout Tonight.” There’s a lot of variety on this record while remaining more traditional country than anything.

This isn’t a songwriter album, but the Brothers show skill in both taking classic themes to country songs and spinning them anew, along with working in some more original poetry, like the endearing profile of an ex done wrong, “If You’re Gonna Love Her,” and their tribute to their native Arizona and cactus that looks like coat hangers, “Saguaro Sunrise.”

You do appreciate the different approaches to certain tracks, but it does leave open the question of what the Kruse Brothers do best, and what sound, style, and approach might be unique to them. They show the elasticity to do whatever they want within the country realm. But what they can do that’s different from everyone else—whether it’s in writing, sound, or something else—is what will set them apart as their already promising career unfolds.

Meanwhile, what they’re doing right now is worth spinning, cranking, annoying your co-workers about, and knocking your kids out with cough medicine so you can sneak downtown to see them when they come rolling through your town. It’s always cool to get clued into a new band, especially one you can sit back and watch grow and go places like The Kruse Brothers.

8/10

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