On his newest record, Southern Boogie, Sam Morrow has slammed the door shut on the Americana palate that defined his previous trilogy of releases and kicked open a new one. A cross-country move, change of perspective, and fresh outlook on life were catalysts that also steered Morrow to cross the threshold on a new sound.

Make no mistake, that’s exactly what Southern Boogie represents — raw, Texas-bred southern rock that sounds exactly like what it is: Sam Morrow, confidently evolving.

Southern Boogie is what happens when you shed expectations. Recorded mostly live, in Austin, with producer Jonathan Tyler, the sessions were stripped-down and analog: two guitars, bass, keys, drums. All tube amps. No click track. No safety net. The result is unapologetically guitar driven. Straight-ahead southern rock with a Texas backbone — ZZ Top's grit and groove without trying to sound like anyone but himself.

"I just want people to listen to this and have a good time," Morrow says. "Don't take sh*t too seriously. That's kind of my mantra."

Morrow grew up in Houston absorbing ZZ Top, punk, and hip-hop before landing in rehab as a teenager. He found sobriety in Los Angeles and stayed there for over a decade, building a career and a sound. But the move to Nashville and the new album all signal the same thing: his discordant era is over. After years of searching, Sam Morrow quit looking for approval. Southern Boogie is what's on the other side — loud, honest, and exactly where he is supposed to be.