Early James’ third album, Medium Raw, captures the soulful grit of Americana at its most unfiltered. Produced by Dan Auerbach and recorded at Buddy Jackson’s Honky Château, the album strips away studio polish for an intimate, organic sound. Embracing a field recording ethos, Auerbach crafted a production that channels the raw, emotional power of James’ performances, delivering an immersive musical experience.

At the core of Medium Raw lies James’ mastery of Southern Gothic storytelling, where darkly poetic lyrics meet an evocative blend of blues, rock, and folk. Across 12 tracks, James balances poignant vulnerability with biting wit. In “Steely Knives,” he mourns, “Can’t you see them eyes like steely knives / It cuts me to the bone,” while the sardonic “Nothing Surprises Me Anymore” quips, “I guess God’s a twisted skywriter / Chemtrails in Comic Sans.” While songs like “Tinfoil Hat” and “Go Down Swinging” evoke the smoky allure of Tom Waits, with instrumentation that pushes boundaries while honoring roots music traditions.

The recording’s spontaneity is palpable. Nearly every track was captured live, with minimal overdubs. This approach showcases not only James’ distinct voice and guitar work but also the chemistry of his collaborators. Jeffrey Clemens (drums), Sam Bacco (percussion), and longtime bassist Adrian Marmolejo inject the record with an unvarnished energy. “It’s not hyper-polished,” James explains, “but it has Jeff’s [Clemens] confidence, and you can’t teach that.”

In addition to seven original compositions - including a long-awaited recording of fan favorite “Dig to China” - Medium Raw features co-writes with Auerbach, Langhorne Slim, Mick Flannery, and other celebrated songwriters. The result is a layered, emotionally resonant album that feels both timeless and daring.

For Auerbach, the goal was clear: “I wanted to capture the power of when I first saw him - just him and his guitar.” Drawing inspiration from Chris Strachwitz’s raw Arhoolie recordings, Auerbach eschewed the comforts of a traditional studio for a homey setup, letting James’ artistry take center stage.

Medium Raw solidifies Early James as a singular voice in modern Americana, his raspy tones and dark wit carving a space all his own. With its lived-in authenticity, the album offers listeners a visceral journey into the heart of raw emotion and captivating storytelling.