Hard Times Are Relative is immediately gratifying country with a conscience delivered with a shot of adrenaline. The fast-paced collection of 10 songs showcases Jason Boland & The Stragglers’ signature brand of authentic roots music infused with rock n’ roll, jangly honky tonk, traditional folk, and even a classic country duet with Texas powerhouse Sunny Sweeney. The theme running throughout much of the album focuses on our complicated relationship with the past and accepting the inevitability of change.

Independent country torchbearers Jason Boland & The Stragglers have announced their ninth studio album Hard Times Are Relative, releasing May 18th via Thirty Tigers. Together with his longtime band The Stragglers, Jason Boland has remained a true craftsman of genuine, no-frills country music for nearly two decades. In a genre that too often focuses on style over substance, Boland puts substance at the forefront with his intelligent, insightful lyricism that challenges listeners to think beyond the obvious.

Country torchbearers Jason Boland & The Stragglers have announced the October 7th release of Squelch, their eighth studio album, on Proud Souls/Thirty Tigers. Squelch features the brand of true, no-frills country music Jason Boland has built a sterling reputation on as one of the genre’s genuine ambassadors. As an honest, intelligent, thought-provoking lyricist, Jason Boland has always pushed the boundaries of what country music could, and should be, while maintaining a high level of artistic integrity.