Conner Smith ‘The Storyteller’ – EP Review

Conner Smith’s new project, The Storyteller EP is out now, October 4th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Just eight months ago, rising country star, Conner Smith, released his debut album Smoky Mountains, a reflective ode to his home state of Tennessee. The 24-year-old quickly returns with five brand-new tracks for fans to enjoy. The name of the EP is fitting—all five songs portray vastly different stories. The title track opens the project and reminds listeners that everyone—no matter your fame, money, or occupation—has a unique story to tell. This tune is unique in itself because it does not follow the standard template; it just has three exclusive verses.  

“Shakespeare wrote the plays // And Van Gogh did it with paint // And Granddad did it working on the lines // Yeah, that’s a storyteller”

While the first song offers a western vibe, track 2, “Nostalgia,” beautifully blends bluegrass with the modern stylings of today’s music. Smith describes a common theme in country—two young optimists who think their summer fling is strong enough to span 2,000 miles. The third song, a Smith solo write, depicts the life of an everyday farmer and the hardships he goes through just to make ends meet. In this humbling tune, the singer cites that rain and hard work help grow the crops, but prayer is the main force that supports him and his family. 

“Because he knows you gotta work hard but pray even harder // He just wants to hand out a good life to his son and daughter // Yeah you can learn a lot about faith from a farmer”

In the most upbeat tune on the record, “Rollin’ Down the Road” is about the joy of living life as a touring artist. Cleto Cordero, who has three co-writes on this project, provides his twangy vocals on the second verse and chorus. Although it’s not the life his mother wished for and he frequently wakes up with hangovers, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’re just rollin’ down the road, me and my best friends // Livin’ out a dream with a suitcase in my hand // Just outlaw livin’, country song pickin’ // All green lights on the life we’re livin’ // Rollin’”

The closing track, “The Garden,” is mellow tune about slowing life down and taking in its simple pleasures; the exact opposite of the previous song. In the bridge, he states “ain’t no use in climbing mountains, just to come back down again.” The contrast of these two tracks signifies the true meaning of the record—whether you’re a gardener or selling out venues, everyone is still a storyteller. 

“I think for better or worse, my natural state as a songwriter is thinking deeply on big picture themes and the captivating power of stories,” Smith shared in a press release. “It’s amazing to think about how stories can really move people and I’ve always been fascinated with how to do that through music, ever since I was a little kid writing songs. The Storyteller feels like a rare creative moment that I wanted to capture by telling stories in a cool way.”

Smith will showcase these songs on his corresponding tour this fall, which kicks off this Sunday in Utah. For tickets, head to his website.

The Storyteller Track List: