For Midland, Barely Blue rides the highs and lows of life. For the heartbroken, it’s a balm. For the hopeful, it’s a celebration. And for everyone in between, it’s a reminder that life goes on, even when things fall apart. The Grammy-nominated trio - Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy, and Jess Carson - have delivered a concise collection of songs that peel back the layers of stoic masculinity, embracing vulnerability in a way that feels rare for the genre. Recorded with producer Dave Cobb at Georgia Mae Studios in Savannah, GA, Barely Blue evokes the solitude of empty roadhouses and endless highways, binding it all together with the soulful twang of steel guitars.

The album opens with “Lucky Sometimes,” a breezy, feel-good anthem that, as Wystrach puts it, is “a hot streak for when it feels like you just can’t lose.” The song sets the tone for the rest of the album, with its sparse arrangement and soaring harmonies. It introduces a new sound that Midland discovered with Cobb at the helm, a space where the band’s love for old-school country grooves and heartfelt lyrics merge with a modern edge. “We knew we wanted to go somewhere else,” explains bassist Cameron Duddy. “We’re all big believers in a certain time and place, that classic country vibe you get from miles on the road and bad coffee. Even though we’re happy, love and life can fall apart - but that doesn’t mean you have to.”

Barely Blue digs deep into the essence of country music, exploring how heartache can coexist with resilience. The trio’s harmonies, lush and celestial, channel the spirit of Laurel Canyon, recalling the sounds of The Mamas & The Papas, Buffalo Springfield, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Their arrangements are both muscular and tender, giving the album a cosmic, earthy quality that’ll connect directly to your soul. The album's second single, “Old Fashioned Feeling,” has already earned praise for its soulful, old-school country sound and Midland’s seamless harmonies. It’s a song that showcases the trio’s ability to capture the ache of heartache while offering a hand to anyone feeling life’s bruises.

“Dave Cobb was someone we wanted to work with for a long time,” explains Wystrach. “His approach to recording isn’t just about the task - it’s an experience. On Barely Blue, he helped us find the sound we’ve been searching for.”