

While many of his peers find inspiration in ’10s-era stomp-clap and lo-fi heartache, young singer-songwriter Jackson Dean draws from a deeper well of country and roots music. The 25-year-old artist from Maryland runs the gamut in crafting his sound, which spans mid-century Southern rock, ’70s outlaw country, classic Delta soul, and everything in between. That amorphous amalgamation is also a calling card of Nashville multi-hyphenate Luke Dick, who produced Magnolia Sage and its predecessor, 2024’s On the Back of My Dreams. The pair get to stretch their legs a bit on this outing, though, turning in an LP that feels loose, laid-back, and lived-in, something readily apparent on opening track “Blacktop Blues.” That tune is something like a cross between Marcus King and Thomas Rhett, pairing a swampy groove with an undeniably pop hook to infectious result. Other highlights on Magnolia Sage include “Be Your Man,” a sweet love song with echoes of The Allman Brothers Band, and closing track “Heart on the Range,” a soulful waltz with naturalistic imagery.