JP Harris’ fifth album, JP Harris is a Trash Fire, is a conundrum wrapped in honky-tonk twang and a layer of something more elusive. It’s hard to tell how others may feel about JP Harris is a Trash Fire – dosed with satire, reflection, and enough to frighten the feeble.
While Harris has always been a country music outlier, stretching the limits of honky-tonk, this release feels like the culmination of his genre-blurring experiments. Self-described as “avant-country,” the album delivers a fresh take on traditional country storytelling, with an edge that sets it apart from the conventional fare.
Harris crafts a sound that feels both raw and refined. The partnership with JD McPherson, who produced the album – is clearly a meeting of like-minded souls. The two met over their passion for historic carpentry and became fast friends.. This translates into music that’s equally built from the ground up. Just as he swings a hammer with precision and care, he creates songs that reflect a hard-earned perspective, deeply grounded yet adventurous.
The title alone suggests a playful self-awareness, a wink at the listener that Harris is not taking himself too seriously, even as the songs dive into emotional territory. It’s this balance between levity and introspection that makes the album a curious journey.
At just 31 minutes (our only complaint), JP Harris is a Trash Fire feels like it’s over too soon – maybe that’s part of the magic? The brevity leaves you wanting more, in the best possible way, and as the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun.”
– @meanwhile_in_music
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