Brent Cobb Reveals New Song & Album ‘Keep ‘Em On They Toes’
This story has been updated.
Just about nothing will be able to salvage the train wreck that is 2020, but a new record from Brent Cobb will surely make it a bit more bearable. The Georgia-bred singer and songwriter announced late Tuesday night (7-14) that he has a new album called Keep ‘Em On They Toes on the way October 2nd, and has released the title track co-written with Layne Cobb to froth us with anticipation. The record will also include the timely song “The World Is Ending” that Cobb co-wrote with Zac Lyle released back in late March.
“’Keep ‘Em on They Toes’ is a mantra that I live by,” says Brent Cobb. “One that I hope anyone could live by. If it’s good for your own heart, and you got a good heart, do it. Do it whether folks see it coming or not.”
The ten song record also includes another song some have heard before in “Shut Up and Sing.” Expect it all to be infused with that that honey-dripped, back porch easy feeling with a strong injection of funky country indicative of Jerry Reed that makes Brent Cobb hit the spot like a tall glass of iced tea. The new album is produced by Brad Cook.
“To me, listening to this album feels like I’m sitting there with somebody, having a conversation,” Cobb says. “I would hope that it feels like sitting with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. There’s nothing like being alone and listening to an album that is quiet and conversational—like those old records by Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Miller, or Willie Nelson. I hope my music is that way to somebody now.”
Also interesting to note about the new album is that Brent Cobb is no longer on Elektra Records or his cousin Dave Cobb’s imprint Low Country Sound like he was for his first two big records, the Grammy-nominated Shine On Rainy Day from 2016, and 2018’s Providence Canyon. Instead Brent is now working with Thirty Tigers, and his own label called Ol’ Buddy Records.
Cobb first formed Ol’ Buddy records to reissue his first album No Place Left To Leave from 2006, which he did earlier this year. Cobb says the new label in part is to help strike a better balance between his music, touring, and spending time with his family. He’s used the phrase “ol’ buddy” for years as an affectionate nickname for good friends and kind-hearted strangers alike. “It’s how I describe the folks that warm your heart when you talk to them, which is what I try to do with my music.”
Keep ‘Em On They Toes is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Keep ‘Em on They Toes
2. Shut Up and Sing
3. Good Times and Good Lovin’
4. Sometimes I’m a Clown
5. This Side of the River
6. Dust Under My Rug
7. Soapbox
8. When You Go
9. The World Is Ending
10. Little Stuff
July 15, 2020 @ 8:30 am
Good news indeed. Brent’s one of my favorites and I’ve spent a ton of time with his music these past couple years. Brent’s voice and lyrics always bring me right back down to earth.
Interesting he’s stepping away from cousin Dave Cobb’s production and sphere of influence. No doubt Brent’s had enough with the nepotism accusations and Dave’s probably upped his production fees anyway.
That said, curious to know who produced this new album, and who the players are. These new recordings sound much more stripped down. Super minimal compared to the Dave-produced albums.
I actually love those albums and was hoping Brent would keep up with the upbeat funk vibe. Looks like he’s going in a simpler, singer-songwriter direction now. Not a deal breaker by any means, but I always thought his style benefited from a little production flair, considering the limited range of his singing voice. I absolutely love his southern drawl, but you can hear the strain when he tries to hit certain notes or changes. It can be an acquired taste.
That said, I’m really looking forward to this. Wish this was coming out way sooner. The nearly three-month lead time seems unnecessary.
July 15, 2020 @ 9:24 am
Brad Cook is the producer. Just got a bit more info on the record, and added it above.
July 15, 2020 @ 1:55 pm
Interesting. Had to look him up. Looks like Brad Cook produces a handful of notable folkie indie rock artists like Bon Iver and Hiss Golden Messenger. Fits with the vibe of these new singles, for sure.
July 16, 2020 @ 12:50 pm
Hiss Golden Messenger had real potential as a badass Southern rock band with insightful songwriting before the Cooks got a hold of them. That whole Triangle-area strings-reverb-and-Pro-Tools Megafaun crew is a black mark on what otherwise is one of the best regions for roots music in the country.
July 15, 2020 @ 9:16 am
Looking forward to it and was just listening to Diggin Holes before coming here.
July 15, 2020 @ 9:25 am
This is great news! I really enjoyed Brents last 2 records and have seen him live once. Hes a good song writer and doesn’t need a lot of production to throw down a good song.
July 15, 2020 @ 9:50 am
Guess I’ll ask here since really nowhere else to.
You got any thoughts on Upchurch?
July 15, 2020 @ 10:18 am
If I ask, “What’s Upchurch?” Will you just answer with, “I don’t know, what’s up with you?”
July 15, 2020 @ 10:26 am
He’s a pretty big independent artist he does country,Rock and rap he lives pretty close to Nashville.
Figured you would be at least familiar with him.
July 15, 2020 @ 10:37 am
What IS up dog?
July 15, 2020 @ 11:07 am
I’m aware of Upchurch. I may cover him at some point.
July 15, 2020 @ 7:19 pm
Why?
July 15, 2020 @ 9:54 am
Damn that’s a good song. Thank God for Brent Cobb.
I’d wear that tshirt, now that I typed it out.
July 15, 2020 @ 10:54 am
Hey! Love Cobb. Thank you for the heads up!
Can you dig up what’s up with this new Town Mountain song, “You Can’t Win Em All”? I fucking love the song; it’s been stuck on repeat. But, I can’t find if it’s tied to a new albuM or just a single.
I know we are heading to single model industry, but do you think the pandemic might be the final nail in the album model?
July 15, 2020 @ 11:13 am
I was served the press release for the new Town Mountain song, and it says nothing about a new album. That’s one of the reasons I held off on talking about it. I like to have album details to accompany a song. They may be forthcoming.
July 15, 2020 @ 1:13 pm
On his Instagram, Adam Hood does a Hood Morning convo with people. One (a few weeks old) is with Brent Cobb and they talk a little bit about his new album. I assume some here would enjoy watching/listening to it.
July 15, 2020 @ 2:17 pm
I keep waiting for Brent Cobb to breakout as the next new big country artists along Jinks and Childers. He sure deserves it. I like the song, can’t wait for the album.
July 16, 2020 @ 9:38 am
I was waiting and hoping for that too, but unfortunately it’s probably too late. Being looped in with cousin Dave Cobb and opening for Chris Stapleton on a national arena tour, two summers in a row, should’ve propelled him into stardom but, alas, didn’t happen.
His general attitude, and his music, are just way too mellow for “stardom” and the range of his singing voice is limited. He’s also been in the game as a songwriter and performer since the early/mid 00’s and I think he’s just had enough of the rat race (just listen to his lyrics). He doesn’t seem nearly as hungry or aggressively opinionated as Jinks, Childers, and Simpson, nor does he have the raw vocal talent and wide commercial appeal of Stapleton.
I think he’s back living in rural Georgia and is keeping busy raising his family. I think he’s probably content being a a low key niche artist, earning respectable songwriter royalties. I don’t blame him. I personally love his songwriting and musical vibe so I’ll be buying his stuff, with no hesitation, for the foreseeable future.
July 16, 2020 @ 12:37 pm
I’m with ya on that Tex. I’d rather ol buddy be happy than a star. Either way he’s one of my favorites.
July 15, 2020 @ 5:53 pm
Well-written song, but the voice sounds a bit rough. Moreover, I have the same issue with this song as I do with many of the albums reviewed here: The music is too sparse. I understand that the funding for a project like this is low, but I wish more effort was put into making the instrumentation more lush. Heck, many deserving session musicians could make some much-needed money that way.
July 16, 2020 @ 11:26 am
Brent’s never had the smoothest of singing voices but, with that thick Georgia accent, there’s enough character there to satisfy. I’d never confuse his vocals for anybody else’s, and I like that. I also prefer fuller/lusher production for Brent, which he certainly had on his two Dave Cobb produced albums (full band, backup singers etc.), but this minimal singer-songwriter vibe is clearly the direction he wants to go in with this album.
The perceived sparseness of these new singles is a creative choice and not necessarily indicative of low funding. Plenty of lower budget independent country albums this year have shown excellent and lush production values – Jesse Daniel’s Rollin’ On, Hill Country’s self-titled debut, and Mike & The Moonpies’ Touch of You immediately come to mind.
July 16, 2020 @ 4:49 am
Good news. Love me some Cobb.
July 16, 2020 @ 5:12 am
“Heck, many deserving session musicians could make some much-needed money that way.”
I doubt that is high on a writers list of priorities-
I really liked the lyrics of the song in the video- at this point, for me, his voice needs to mature. But, it seems he has potential and the lyrics were really touching.
July 16, 2020 @ 9:40 am
Bent Cobb’s last record was, in my not humble opinion, one of the best records of the previous decade.. and it’s a shame it, nor he, will never be properly celebrated by the masses. I can’t wait for this record.
July 16, 2020 @ 11:36 am
Agreed. Anytime I put that album on it just feels like home. I get the feeling Brent will remain a low-key niche artist but will be regarded fondly by fans and critics of good music well into the future.
July 16, 2020 @ 5:14 pm
Well I love Brent’s music and the a!bum will be great since he’s releasing it on my birthday! Still think his White Lightning on YouTube rivals the original!!!
July 17, 2020 @ 5:17 am
That one around the fire? Hell yeah it does!
July 18, 2020 @ 4:59 am
y’all are trippin’, the dude can sing just fine. Even if it doesn’t blow you away, who comes on a public forum and acts like
they’re qualified to past judgement? I guess your opinion holds up against Stapelton, Willie, and the decision makers at Elektra and Thirty Tigers…and all others who have deemed him a adequate singer, in order to offer the opportunities he’s been given up to now? How’s that saying go? “people with a bunch of lousy opinions are assholes“?… something like that.
July 18, 2020 @ 9:13 pm
Just wondering if he’s related to JR Cobb ?
July 19, 2020 @ 9:54 am
I love Brent music, but I have the same feeling about this album.
What’s the hurry? It doesn,t look good.