Jackson Dean Releases Debut Self-Titled EP – Full Review

Jackson Dean makes his official debut to the country music world with the release of his self-titled EP available now, April 30th, everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

It is quite rare to come about such a true musician in a world where music is so readily accessible through both absorption and creation. It is, even more, few and far in between for an artist to inspire, to demand attention with their tone, and keep the listener engaged through lyrics. Though, it may be above any social or intellectual strata to say that music is seldom what it was created to be: beauty in a melody, Big Machine Records has signed the vessel for it. Jackson Dean’s talent is undeniable. In the recently released debut single “Wings”, it could not have been more clear that this Maryland newcomer is no amateur at all.

While the music released thus far from Dean is polished, gritty and all things mature, it is even more compelling to learn that he is at the young age of 20 years old. Let that sink in. Though, this older-than-I-am confidence may have come more as obligation or responsibility than choice. With a seemingly distinct experience of living in a one-room cinderblock of concrete floors in the backyard of his grandfather’s house without any heat or plumbing, and living in an otherworldly universe of flying to Nashville every week to write songs, the grit and grind were embedded in Dean from the start.

“Living in that shack was hard, but I was living on my own, going to work when everyone else was going to school,” Dean shared in a press release. “It felt like another big step, a really big step to grow up a little bit more… and there are experiences I took from there most people who come after me will never know or understand.”

This self-titled EP is a first-look into the artistry and heart-on-your-sleeve type of character encompassed by this musician. “Fearless” may be considered the summarization of everything Dean has laid on the public line thus far, perhaps an entire known identity wrapped up in a song. With a hook at the end of the chorus that is shockingly attractive, emphasized by a toned back instrumental accompaniment that allows listeners to take in the construed glory, this production has something for everyone to hold on to. “Don’t Come Lookin’” walks the same line with a stronger presence of country-rooted influences that teeters on a Brothers Osborne sound. A story that aims to be off-the-grid, and intentionally goes off course because if you ain’t getting lost, you ain’t getting nowhere, this track is a rough-edged narration of spending time outdoors.

“It’s just so badass,” Dean laughs in a press release. “It’s something I used to say to my Mother, when I’d head out into the woods – very Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘Last of the Mohicans.’ Me and Luke were looking for something, and we hadn’t really written a ‘hit.’ We were sitting there with our guitars, we had the vibe and I said that. As soon as I did, he said, ‘Yeah, let’s write that.’”

Through this 5-track collection of music and versatile themes including gratitude for the smaller things, a love that won’t release its grasp and a desire to fly without hesitation, this singer-songwriter with a heart unmatched and a seemingly complex yet very real, baptized soul has made an impression in country music. And, he continues to push.

“I really wanna see how far I can push myself, how much I can endure,” Dean explores in a press release. “I wanna know how much I can do before I die, because a fear of not living a full life haunts me most of all.”

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Jackson Dean releases.

To keep up with Jackson Dean, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Jackson Dean is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.