Heartache Medication (Deluxe Version)

Jon Pardi's 2016 sophomore album California Sunrise was a commercial and critical success, cementing the California-born country artist as one of the most exciting young acolytes of neo-traditional country music. Now, Pardi has returned with Heartache Medication, a lively, fun-loving LP that infuses his throwback sensibilities with modern flourishes. The album also finds Pardi turning up the volume (and the distortion) and showing off his rock 'n' roll chops ("Tied One On", "Me and Jack"), while throwing in the occasional soulful moment ("Don't Blame It on Whiskey") and sweeping ballad ("Ain't Always the Cowboy") for good measure. Below, Pardi gives Apple Music the inside scoop on how he brought his influences together on Heartache Medication. Old Hat "I heard 'Old Hat' on Jeff Hyde's record [2018's Norman Rockwell World]. It was cool-sounding, and it talked about old-school things, like opening the door for a lady. It's a very sweet song about being a gentleman. One of the main reasons that song is on the record is Summer, my girlfriend, loves it. She said it reminds her of how many shitty dates she's been on. The ladies love a gentleman." Heartache Medication "I wrote that song two years ago. I had the title. I thought the title was really cool-sounding—you kind of knew what you were talking about without having to say it. It's about a guy having a good time, dealing with heartache but having fun. A little bit of drinking, a little bit of dancing, a little bit of everything to make you feel good." Nobody Leaves a Girl Like That "'Nobody Leaves a Girl Like That' was written by Bart Butler, Marv Green and Jimmy Yeary. I hadn't heard anything like it. Originally it was super, super, super country, believe it or not. I always wanted a Brooks & Dunn-sounding song—you could hear Ronnie [Dunn] singing it. I always say that would be me if I left my girlfriend, Summer. As an artist you have to put yourself in that situation to feel that emotion." Ain't Always the Cow