This past week I had the pleasure of asking X Ambassadors a couple of questions during their 1824 press conference. Throughout the allotted hour of questions, the X Ambassadors provided honest insights into the band's latest album, "Townie," offering a glimpse into the intricate layers of its creation and the personal connections woven into its fabric. Each member of the band (consisting of Sam Nelson Harris on vocals, guitar, saxophone, and bass, Casey Harris on piano and keys, and Adam Levin on drums.) reflected on the journey they embarked on while crafting "Townie," comparing it to their previous albums. They described how the writing process for this record was markedly different, characterized by a focused and deliberate approach. 

Unlike the “scattered” nature of their earlier works, (their words, not mine) "Townie" emerged from a concentrated effort, with half of its songs stemming from solo sessions by Sam in his LA studio, and the other half taking shape during a two-week retreat in upstate New York. They alluded to the intentional shift in their creative process allowing for a deeper exploration of themes and a more cohesive artistic vision. I was able to ask my question about halfway through the press conference. For those of you who have listened to the album, you know how special the lyrics are on their song ‘Women’s Jeans.’ I wanted to know what the lyrics of the first verse (“Spent my twenties with blinders on. Built my ego up so strong. Changed my shape 'til I fit right in. Still not fitting in my skin”) meant to them and what inspired the message of the song. Sam answered that the song explores themes of identity, self-expression, and the passage of time. To him, the song reveals a deep-seated connection to his past and present self. Despite outward signs of maturity, he confessed to feeling like he’s still that almost ~rebellious~ 14-year-old at heart. Memories of unconventional choices in clothing (bellbottom jeans were mentioned) and a sense of not fitting in resurface, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile childhood dreams with adult realities.

They also talked about how hard it is to write songs about personal stuff, but they found it rewarding because it allowed them to share their stories with fans. They also stressed that they try to make their lyrics honest and deep so everyone can relate to them. I think songwriting and their lyrics in particular is something that makes this band stand out to me, so it was crazy that they felt they needed to clarify this point. 

Now for my thoughts on the album. Most of the songs on the album have a strong acoustic feel, which I love hearing from them. However, there are parts that feature a somewhat unexpected retro electronic vibe that feels like a blast from the past, spanning the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. I appreciate the artistic risks they had to take to make the two sounds cohesive and feel they definitely paid off. Sam Harris was able to showcase his signature falsetto in "Smoke on the Highway" and "No Strings," while delivering powerful, soaring notes in songs like "Women's Jeans" and "Half-Life," reminiscent of their earlier hits. This album really speaks to the small-town experience, rather than the typical suburban narrative. As someone who grew up in a small town in Maine, I was blown away at how relatable the lyrics were. I think that overall this album will feel both familiar at some points while also being more vulnerable and honest than I think we have seen from them. A beautiful album through and through.