Rodney Atkins ‘True South’ – Album Review
Rodney Atkins’ new album, True South is out now, May 29th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.
As one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers, it seems impossible that Rodney Atkins hasn’t released a new album in seven years. Yet, it’s been that long since 2019’s Caught Up in the Country.
Today, however, Atkins returns with True South, a 12-song collection that is both a reintroduction and a reaffirmation of who he is as an artist. Released by Curb Records, the LP is authentically Atkins, leaning heavily into the themes that have defined his career to date: small-town values, family, country music, and everything in-between.
As one of the genre’s most relatable and familiar voices, True South only solidifies that position. Here, the Tennessee native is unapologetically reflective of his family life and marriage, pairing nostalgia with unvarnished simplicity and authenticity.
One such moment occurs with an unexpected, but welcomed, surprise. It’s a reimagined version of his twenty year old mega-hit, “Watching You.” On the 2.0 version, the song becomes a duet with his now 22-year-old son Elijah, who appeared in the original music video as a child. Two decades after the song’s release, the new version fits seamlessly into the themes and style of True South, carrying even more emotional weight as a duet. Atkins summed it up perfectly on social media, sharing “I can’t believe my little bear is all grown up.”
The album’s title track and “Hole in One” both deliver exactly the kind of countrified anthems Rodney Atkins fans have come to love. “True South” is packed with references to smoky brisket, Carhartt jackets, Sunday church pews, and John Deere tractors, celebrating Southern identity without feeling forced or overproduced. It’s proudly country and unapologetically rooted in rural life. Likewise, “Toys in the Dirt” leans into nostalgia, painting vivid memories of carefree childhood summers and simpler days spent outdoors.
“Helluvit” allows him to play off clever lyrics, balancing heartfelt sentiment with easygoing charm as he proclaims, “You’re my little bit of Heaven in the helluvit.” Meanwhile, “The Real Thing” finds him taking a playful, yet pointed, approach at the phoniness of the world today. Here, he doesn’t hesitate to call out everyone from fake country singers churned out by Music Row to fake soldiers scaring people with guns. Here, he asks the simple question, “Will the real thing please stand up?,” longing for authenticity.
“All Y’all” brings a more inclusive, feel-good energy to the record with its “Come one, come all, y’all” spirit and singalong-ready chorus that feels tailor-made for live shows. Meanwhile, “Small Town After All” cleverly plays off a familiar earworm from a Disney ride (“It’s a Small World”), turning the phrase into a lighthearted reflection of life in a small town. “It’s a small town after all, Everybody’s gonna talk,” He muses. “It’ll be alright because it’s a small town after all”
One of the album’s most touching moments comes on “The Years Are Short,” a powerful reflection of fatherhood that finds him grappling with just how fast time flies. For the father of three, the song is a reminder to slow down and enjoy your children while they’re still young.
“And the world turns fast, the clock turns slow // Some “right nows” feel like forever // But they stack up, and they shake out // Like all the names and dates and measures // Scribbled here in pencil just inside this pantry door // The days are long Oh, but the years are short”
The album concludes with the poignant final two tracks, “Believe Me” and “Marry Me Again.” emerges as one of the album’s emotional high points. “Believe” is a sparse and tender duet that features vocals from Atkins’ wife, Rose Falcon. Together, they deliver a simple but moving declaration of enduring love.
Lastly, “Marry Me Again” finds Atkins wanting to propose to Falcon all over again. It captures the wonder of marriage and enduring love, sharing the romantic prospect of a husband wanting to get down on one knee all over again after a decade of ups and downs. “I’m down on the same knee holding a new ring saying the same things I said back then,” He proclaims. “What do you say ‘fore we make it another ten, Will you marry me again?”
For Rodney Atkins, True South stands out because it never tries too hard. Rather than chasing trends, Atkins stays true to what he’s best at and the result is a heartfelt and authentic project from start to finish.
True South Track List:
- True South (Rodney Atkins, Rose Falcon, Blake Redferrin, Jake Saghi)
- Helluvit (Rodney Atkins, Rose Falcon, Daniel Ethridge, Seth Mosley)
- Hole In One (Jordan Schmidt, Devin Dawson, Zach Kale)
- Toys In The Dirt (Thomas Archer, Lalo Guzman, Michael Tyler)
- Watching You 2.0 (with Elijah Atkins) (Rodney Atkins, Steven Dean, Brain White)
- The Years Are Short (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell)
- All Y’all (Rodney Atkins, Rose Falcon, Seth Mosley, Smith Ahnquist)
- Small Town After All (Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman, Ben Hayslip, Chase McGill, Ben Burgess)
- Silver Bullets (Jake Owen, Bobby Pinson, Josh Thompson, Jimmy Robbins)
- The Real Thing (Rodney Atkins, Nicole Witt)
- Believe Me (with Rose Falcon) (Rose Falcon, Gabe Dixon, Michael Whitworth)
- Marry Me Again (MMA) (Rodney Atkins, Russell Sutton, Jaxson Free, Jim McCormick, Adam Craig)
Country Swag Picks:
- Marry Me Again
- The Years Are Short
- Toys in the Dirt

Rodney Atkins shares new album, ‘True South,’ out now on all streaming platforms.
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True South is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.














