Hayes Carll Announces New Album “We’re Only Human”
We love a songwriter’s songwriter. They can make such profound observances about the simplest moments, and can make the simplest moments seem so profound. Hayes Carll is one of those songwriters, often working in profundities, but in other times absurdities and the profane. You can expect no less on his new album called We’re Only Human out August 8th.
It was just last October that Hayes palled up with The Band of Heathens for the Hayes and the Heathens supergroup release that didn’t let us down from our lofty expectations. But he made sure to keep his powder dry for this solo release that he says is different from anything else he’s ever done. Instead of trying to write songs that compel the audience to look at themselves, We’re Only Human finds Hayes turning the gaze back onto himself in an introspective manner.
“I’ve lived outside of myself for so long. Distractions, fear, anxiety, insecurity, and the complexity of being human in this world have so often pulled me away from being present or at peace,” Carll says. “I feel like there’s been a voice riding shotgun all my life, pushing me to do better, but I’ve struggled to listen to it. The idea behind this record was to do the personal work needed to do, then codify those lessons in song to serve as sort of breadcrumbs to get me back on the trail if, and inevitably when, I get lost again.”
Helping to lay that trail of breadcrumbs is Gordy Quist of Band of Heathens, who served as co-producer of the album with Hayes Carll. Quist reappears on the final track, along with Ed Jurdi, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Shovels & Rope, Darrell Scott, and Nicole Atkins, in the album’s closing song, “May I Never.” Carll also collaborates with MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger on the song “Stay Here A While.”
But to introduce the album, Hayes has released the the song “Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)”. In classic Carll style, the song pinballs through rhymes, playing off of passing thoughts and current events that all make us feel like sometimes the best we can hope for is just to hold on.
“If I’m judging others, then I’m not having to look at myself,” Carll says. “I’m flawed as hell, judgmental, and critical of myself and those around me. That’s a loop that feeds itself. But I figure If I can look at myself clear-eyed and acknowledge my own shortcomings, it might help me have some grace and acceptance for myself and others.”
Judging others to distract us from our own flaws is in many ways the new world sport. Perhaps Hayes Carll cannot only help himself with this necessary recalibration, but the rest of us through We’re Only Human.
The album is now available for presave/preorder.
TRACK LIST:
1. We’re Only Human
2. Stay Here Awhile
3. Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)
4. High
5. One Day
6. What I Will Be
7. Good People (Thank Me)
8. I Got Away With It
9. Making Amends
10. May I Never
April 23, 2025 @ 9:53 am
In addition to the single “Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle),” I also heard the song “Good People (Thank Me)” last week during his show with Corb Lund. Really looking forward to this album. Hayes is one of my favorites.
April 23, 2025 @ 10:50 am
Those two are great. Can confirm that “High” is also a good’un. He played that at the VA show with Corb
April 23, 2025 @ 9:57 am
He played High when I saw him with Corb Lund last week, good song. Excited for this one, it’s an amazing year for country music.
April 23, 2025 @ 5:18 pm
Have sat on this for hours, because questioned my ability to cohesively put last night’s experience into words.
First, would like to say that the incredibly obnoxious and rude individual to the far right balcony, needed to be expelled from the show.
Venue ushers, more than once, talked to her.
Because we are currently in an anything goes society, she was allowed to remain for the entirety of the show.
Several people actually left the venue because of the obnoxious behavior.
Much credit to Hayes Carll for the comment about the 2nd show, occuring. If this was indeed what he was inferring.
Brownie points that i didn’t quietly walk over, from front row mid – balcony, to address the issue, with ms. obnoxious.
Was there with a friend, to experience Hayes Carll & Corb Lund.
The “&” sign being intentional – because intentional or not, these boys, Corb & Hayes, fit together like a glove.
Their show being, quite possibly, the best have ever attended.
Trevisstrat and Corncaster, you once did an amazing, by recommending, Tab.
Trying to do you one, by recommending Corb, and Hayes.
Was not initially “sold” by Hayes. Seemed like the first 35 minutes or so, was like, bfd.
By the last 2/3 of the show, became a huge Hayes Carll, fan.
Not a fan girl. Forget that crap.
But, straight up fan.
Corb, OWNED the theater with Horse Soldier, Horse Soldier.
Both, Corb and Hayes – Well, still not sure how to describe what happened last night.
Not exactly stupid, and takes a tremendous amount to impress. But, these guys …
Think the only way to describe what witnessed last night was the jaw dropping, emotionally overwhelming, appreciation of the almost unattainable talent that these men brought to the stage.
Un – phucking – believable.
And, Corb Lund?
A wordsmith like no other.
Write it in stone
April 24, 2025 @ 9:53 am
Such a cool way to do a concert. We saw them a few nights prior in Minneapolis.
One of my favorite shows in a very long time.
April 24, 2025 @ 11:45 am
Agreed, KC.
The warmth, intimacy, subdued & very cool lighting, were all great.
Very conducive to being kicked back and relaxed.
—————————–
It all would have been perfect if not for the screaming, yelling banshee, woo-hoo at the top of her lungs, piece of absolute trash.
My heart went out to Hayes and Corb, for having to do a show around that.
April 24, 2025 @ 12:13 pm
Thankfully, the crowd in Cleveland, OH at the show I was at was much cooler and more respectful.
Interestingly enough, I saw a Reddit post earlier today on this very subject where someone was at a Bonnie Raitt concert and had to deal with another concert-goer who couldn’t read the crowd and acted like a complete and utter ass “woo-hooing” and every single thing.
April 24, 2025 @ 12:41 pm
Very Happy for you, and everyone at the Cleveland show, that it was a respectful crowd.
Did Corb own the Cleveland crowd with Horse Soldier, like he did us?
And, did they sing, Ain’t Enough of Me To Go Around?
Ego Brothers, style?
Hilarious.
Have looked everywhere for the lyrics. Can’t find.
April 24, 2025 @ 8:09 pm
Unfortunately, Corb didn’t do HSHS, but he did hold the crowd captive with “S Lazy H” amd it was phenomenonal
They did do the whole Ego Brothers portion though with Ain’t Enough of Me…
April 25, 2025 @ 4:35 pm
Interstate D,
Here is a link for S Lazy H that a concertgoer posted on line after Tuesday’s show.
Thought you might enjoy.
https://youtu.be/b8ubCCzlnlQ?si=KaE_B9HFkVZu1NZ0
April 27, 2025 @ 3:57 am
Saw Hayes and Corb in Pawling 2 weeks ago. Excellent show. Walked out of there a much bigger Hayes fan that I had been going in. Looking forward to the new album!
April 23, 2025 @ 6:22 pm
Great first song, I love Mr. Carll’s music.
Note “Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)” bears an uncanny resemblance to John Anderson’s “Wild and Blue” (which Anderson didn’t write)
April 24, 2025 @ 1:10 am
…nice little homage to strait’s “ocean front property” in there.
April 26, 2025 @ 4:58 am
Re Trigger’s comment “sometimes the best we can hope for is just to hold on.”
This is one of those times.
Meanwhile, I really liked Hayes’ note about what the songs on this record were about for him — “sort of breadcrumbs to get me back on the trail if, and inevitably when, I get lost again.”
April 26, 2025 @ 9:31 am
The introspective gaze revealed nothing.