Having recently uncaged his sophomore album the mockingbird & THE CROW for the world via Big Loud Records/Big Loud Rock, HARDY is embarking on a chapter that can only be described as “country-meets-hardcore chaos” (Alternative Press). Yesterday, HARDY's album debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #4, a significant achievement - his first Top 10 debut and the first rock album to reach #4 since Red Hot Chili Peppers last year.
The “stylistically unpredictable” (Billboard) shapeshifter carves a lane all his own across 17 original tracks, proving himself a trailblazer undefined by genre constructs, focused on crafting a catalog of hits that have become notorious for eliciting strong reactions.
The lead single off the new album, "JACK" (available to listen here or by clicking on the player above), has also been a success, climbing the charts & now reaching #10 on the American Active Rock Radio airplay chart. Built on distorted guitars, a crooked hook and the kind of storytelling that has American Songwriter calling him “a lyrical genius,” “JACK” broadens HARDY's artistic spectrum, building on the momentum of March's “SOLD OUT” and furthering his “decidedly more hard rock-centric” (Loudwire) sound.
“I would love for people to be as taken aback as possible,” HARDY told SPIN in a profile earlier this week that encapsulates his “country-rock rebellion.” “I would love for people to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster…The highest expectation I could have is to make people relate to a song, really feel something, and maybe get through some sort of trauma or anything like that because of it," he continued. "That's my shit, man. That's what I do it for.”
Collaborating with both a rolodex of Nashville's finest songwriters (Hillary Lindsey, David Garcia, Ashley Gorley, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Schmidt, Brett Tyler, Hunter Phelps, and more) and some of his own rock favorites on the double-sided project, HARDY steps into the fullness of his artistic aspirations, merging the lifestyle he grew up living in rural Philadelphia, Miss. with the music he grew up listening to: Soundgarden, Puddle of Mudd, Pink Floyd, Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park, Matchbox 20, and many more.
“I am extremely excited to have this record out,” HARDY beams. “I truly believe that this is two years of my best writing and think that it perfectly describes who I am as an artist, having grown up listening to rock 'n roll, but also grown-up country. Thank you to everyone for the support and everybody for working so hard on bringing this record to life. I hope everyone enjoys it."
ABOUT HARDY:
Big Loud Records/Big Loud Rock's heavy hitter HARDY has never been just one thing. Uncaged on January 20, 2023, HARDY's the mockingbird & THE CROW is a dichotomous, 17-track sophomore album and the follow up to critically-acclaimed 2020 debut, A ROCK. HARDY is the reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year, the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a two-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year, additionally nominated for New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards. One of CRS' 2021 New Faces of Country Music and a two-time CMA Triple Play award recipient, the pride of Philadelphia, Miss. has earned his reputation as “a breakout in the making,” (HITS) and “a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive” (American Songwriter). HARDY has written 12 #1 singles since 2018, including his own double platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, and chart-topping Dierks Bentley + BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me.” He's previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more, and will launch his sold-out headlining the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour in February.