Troy Cartwright ‘Etc. All The Rest’ – EP Review

Troy Cartwright’s new EP, Etc. All The Rest is out now, March 20th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With the sensibilities of a seasoned songwriter and a voice laced with both passion and pain, Troy Cartwright lays it all out on his new EP, Etc. All the Rest. The five-track collection showcases the Texas native’s sharp storytelling and emotional honesty, anchored by standout cuts like “That’s Alright” and “Whiskey Ginger.” 

Cartwright is one of those artists who perfectly toes the line between hit songwriter and independent hitmaker. With credits on songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and Lee Brice, he shines as a lyricist, but with projects like this, he shines as an artist in his own right.

On the follow up to his 2024 full-length LP, Bygones, Cartwright tells a tale of love gone wrong. The EP’s five tracks follow much of that theme, his rootsy Texan drawl anchored surprisingly in late 90’s alt-pop-rock-county.

Opening with “That’s Alright,” Cartwright dives in with an anthemic reflection of moving forward and knowing when to cut your losses. Driven by impassioned vocals and ringing guitars, the track magically captures that restless urge to escape without looking back.

“’That’s Alright’ is about leaving it all behind, or maybe just cutting your losses,” Cartwright shares in a statement. “When I wrote it, I was having one of those days where I thought, ‘What if I just get in my truck, drive away, and never come back?’. I think we all feel that way sometimes: underappreciated, misunderstood, and looking for a change of scenery. This song is the soundtrack to that getaway, a reminder that sometimes the best move is to stop looking over your shoulder and just drive.”

“How Missin’ You Sounds” takes a more literal look at heartbreak, exploring how even the most mundane moments can trigger memories of someone who’s gone. The track cleverly juxtaposes melancholy lyrics with upbeat instrumentation, building toward a soaring chorus that captures the emotional push and pull of moving on.

Meanwhile, “Whiskey Ginger” offers one of the EP’s most forlorn and poignant moments. Here, Cartwright dives into the moody ballad, wondering if a former lover is moving on much in the same way she enraptured him.

“Yeah, wonder whose heart you’re breaking now // Is he fallin’ in love while you’re takin’ one down // Yeah, is he wrapped ’round your finger // With your blonde hair, red lips, red straw,  // Sippin’ on // Whiskey Ginger”

“You’ve Got a Way” shifts the mood again, pairing breezy, blues-tinged guitars with a melody that feels both light and restless. Lyrically, Cartwright explores the magnetic pull of someone who knows exactly how to draw him in, only to let him go again. 

Lastly, the EP closes with its title track, easily the project’s most unique moment. Framed like a hungover voicemail from the road, the song captures the bittersweet loneliness that often comes with life as a traveling musician. “I am calling from a hotel in the middle of Palm Springs, I’m hungover as a dog, and I hate everything,” He begins, and listeners are immediately drawn in. “My recall of arrival is hazy at its best// Well anyway, I love you baby, Etc. all the rest.” With his lyrics, he paints a clear picture of life on the road, a lonely troubadour singing postcards of heartbreak.

Across Etc. All the Rest, Troy Cartwright proves why he’s one of Nashville’s biggest hitmakers. Yet, on the five song collection, he proves that he’s even more than a songwriter, but a true artist in his own right.

Etc. All The Rest Track List: