Cody Jinks Announces New Roots-Driven Album And, Again and Calls Out Modern Country Music Authenticity

Independent country music stalwart Cody Jinks has officially announced his upcoming studio album, And, Again, slated for release on February 26 through his independent label, Late August Records. The project marks a deliberate sonic shift for the singer-songwriter, promising a return to a warmer, looser, and more traditional country sound compared to his recent releases. In a notable tribute to his longtime touring and recording partners, Jinks has chosen to prominently feature the band name and individual members of The Tonedeaf Hippies directly on the album’s cover art for the first time in his career.

The announcement of the 14-track project arrives alongside the release of the album’s title track, giving fans their first taste of the record’s sonic direction. Alongside the new music, Jinks has sparked widespread industry discussion following a fiery social media critique addressing what he perceives as a deficit of genuine hardship, danger, and artistic autonomy within contemporary commercial country music.

A Return to Traditional Roots and Collaborative Songwriting

Cody Jinks has built a fiercely loyal, independent following by blending heavy-metal-adjacent intensity with classic honky-tonk storytelling. While his recent albums—such as 2024’s Change The Game and his previous works—contained strong traditional country elements, Jinks has indicated that And, Again leans even further into a loose, organic, and roots-focused atmosphere.

A cornerstone of this organic feel is the inclusion of his backing band, The Tonedeaf Hippies. While the ensemble has anchored Jinks’s sound in the studio and on the road for years, sharing marquee space on the album cover underscores the collaborative nature of the project. The lineup features guitarists Chris Claridy and Jake Lentner, bassist Joshua Thompson, steel guitarist Austin "Hot Rod" Tripp, drummer David Colvin, and keyboardist Matt Nolen.

The album’s songwriting credits feature an array of respected Nashville veterans, underground stalwarts, and longtime collaborators. Jinks co-wrote several tracks with frequent collaborator Ward Davis, singer-songwriters Jason Eady and Courtney Patton, and country heavyweights including Steve Wariner, David Lee Murphy, Bobby Pinson, and Deryl Dodd. Furthermore, the tracklist includes "Moving Mountains," a previously released cross-genre collaboration featuring rock icon Alice Cooper, written alongside Cooper and legendary producer Bob Ezrin.

Chronology and Pre-Release Rollout

The rollout for And, Again has been methodically paced to build anticipation among the independent country community:

• Late 2024–2025: Jinks steadily tours while integrating new material into live sets and finalizing studio sessions for the upcoming project.
• Prior Singles: The collaborative track "Moving Mountains" featuring Alice Cooper introduces a cross-genre dynamic to Jinks’s catalog, demonstrating his willingness to stretch traditional boundaries.
• November 6, 2026: Cody Jinks officially announces And, Again, releases the title track as a digital single, and launches pre-orders for physical and digital formats via Late August Records.
• February 26, 2027: The official scheduled release date for the full 14-track album.

Track Listing for And, Again

The complete tracklist for the upcoming album highlights a diverse range of co-writers and musical explorations:

1. "Up Here" (Cody Jinks / Bobby Pinson / David Lee Murphy)
2. "Unowned" (Cody Jinks)
3. "And, Again" (Cody Jinks)
4. "Daddies Don’t Cry" (Cody Jinks / Steve Wariner / Ward Davis)
5. "A Smile That Says It All" (Cody Jinks / Bob Regan)
6. "Last Turn on the Trail" (Cody Jinks / Ward Davis / Bobby Robinson)
7. "A Song Like That" (Deryl Dodd)
8. "Time to Come Down" (Cody Jinks / Ward Davis)
9. "Mean Spirits" (Cody Jinks / Courtney Patton / Jason Eady)
10. "Moving Mountains" featuring Alice Cooper (Cody Jinks / Alice Cooper / Bob Ezrin)
11. "The Armadillo and the Rattlesnake" (David C. Lee)
12. "First You Borrow" (Cody Jinks / Ward Davis)
13. "Leaving on My Mind" (Cody Jinks / Courtney Patton / Jason Eady)
14. "Rodeo" (Cody Jinks / Tom McElvain)

Industry Commentary and the Authenticity Debate

Alongside the musical preview, Jinks made headlines with a candid video statement shared on social media, in which he lamented the perceived loss of grit and genuine artistic friction in modern mainstream country music.

"There ain’t no ass-kickers no more. Let me ask you this. Where’s George Jones? Or where’s our modern Paycheck—Johnny Paycheck?" Jinks asked in the video clip. "You know why? You’re not gonna have them. You’re not gonna have problem children signed by the record companies anymore. They can’t control them. Why? Cause they’re artists. We’ve got a bunch of people singing songs they didn’t write about shit they didn’t do. You are shitting on my craft. That pisses me off."

The comments have sparked intense debate among music critics and fans alike. Observers point out that modern major-label spaces still house artists who court controversy or exhibit rebellious personas, such as Morgan Wallen or Gavin Adcock. Furthermore, music historians often note that the tumultuous personal lives of mid-century legends like George Jones and Johnny Paycheck—marked by severe substance abuse, erratic behavior, and legal troubles—took a devastating personal toll, raising questions about whether such volatility should be romanticized in the modern era.

However, industry analysts widely agree with Jinks’s core critique regarding the disconnect between Nashville’s commercial hit-factory model and authentic lived experience. The practice of assembly-line songwriting—where major-label acts record tracks penned by anonymous professional writers about rural working-class lifestyles they have never personally experienced—remains a persistent friction point in the genre.

Broader Impact and Market Implications

As an artist who achieved commercial success entirely outside the traditional Nashville major-label apparatus, Cody Jinks occupies a unique position of authority when critiquing industry mechanics. His ability to sell out large amphitheaters and move significant physical and digital product independently proves that a viable alternative exists for artists who refuse to compromise their creative vision.

The deliberate framing of And, Again as a band-centric project signals a broader trend within the independent country and Americana movements. By shifting the spotlight from a solitary frontman to a collective unit, Jinks highlights the craftsmanship of seasoned session and touring musicians who shape the genre’s sonic identity.

As physical pre-orders continue through Late August Records, the release of And, Again on February 26 will serve as an important benchmark for independent country music in 2027, testing whether deeply personal, roots-driven songwriting can continue to expand its footprint against mainstream commercial trends.