“Lay Low”
Josh Turner
Written by Ross Copperman, Tony Martin and Mark Nesler
Good for Josh Turner for sticking with his neo-traditional country sound, even though he’s in the oft talked about minority nowadays. I don’t listen to country radio anymore, but I imagine that some people will think that “Lay Low” sounds stale and boring amongst the bombastic and party anthem “escapism” of country radio playlists these days.
Instead of being assaulted by screaming vocals and obnoxious production, “Lay Low” has enough beat to drive the song, but enough traditional instrumentation to compliment Turner’s sincere, laid back vocals.
Moreover, instead of wanting to mindlessly escape with an interchangeable girl to a crowded bar or a raucous tailgate party, Turner longs to mindfully escape alone with his sweetheart to a quiet cabin with peaceful surroundings.
If I were to hear this song on country radio today, I’d not only instantly know that I was listening to a country station, the simplicity of “Lay Low” would sound refreshing and would be a welcome relief.
Grade: A-
Yes – nice song, well produced and sung.
I haven’t been a fan of Josh’s recent singles, but this song reminds me of his songs from his Everything is Fine Album, and that’s a great thing. Great song.
Good song. It’s firmly in Turner’s tradition of tastefully done, laid-back love songs, like “Your Man” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” I do keep waiting for him to put out something more serious again, though. Like Leeann, I long ago gave up on country radio, but I do wonder what they would do with a “Long Black Train” today. (probably ignore it)
I really want to like this. The production is great, the theme is enticing, but the entire package is just too bland to really grab me. Like “Time is Love” before it, this song has good bones but it has no meat on them.
And further, why has Turner given up on his lower range? He’s been singing in the same range as every other factory-made male singer on the radio for his past three singles, and he’s better than that.
SRM,
I was a little underwhelmed by it at first, but it grew on me as I kept listening to it for this review. I did notice your observation about him not singing in his lower range these days, but he does visit it for a second at the end of the song at least. I ended up appreciating its understated lyrics and production.
Good song. I like the opening lines:
I wanna drive until my cell phone
Runs out of range and every bar is gone
even though I don’t like it when my flip phone runs out of range.
most frequently played Josh Turner song in my i-Tunes library:
“Why Don’t We Just Dance” (Jim Beavers, Jonathan Singleton & Darrell Brown)
…it’s the right decision for josh turner not to showcase his ability to sing very low anymore on every occasion. it started to sound like a cheap trick and more often than not didn’t enhance the material either.
this is a perfect radio hit song and will probably go all the way to the top of the charts. i saw him 3 weeks ago in concert and wrote in my review that his show felt kinda like “the detonation of a sex bomb”. interstingly, so far only men complained about that view.
Leann,
I’m beginning to think you’re right. This is already growing on me. Go figure, as soon as I publicly complain about it, I start liking it.
SRM, I know how you feel. That’s definitely happened to me too.:)
Thank you, Leeann for honoring my incessant (and probably annoying) begging.
I loved it from the beginning, but as I am a huge Turner fan that kind of love is to be expected by me.
I love the understatement of the song. It is beautifully laid back and respectfully. He only desires to love his wife as an equal, which is much different than the bro-country “get a beer, girl” claptrap.
This is how you do escapism country music.
Lay Low is only 50 on the charts according to the Wiki.
If only country radio would go back to sounding like this. I really am sick of the loud, obnoxious sound of country radio today. I grew up during a time when crossover country was criticized. But Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle, and Eddie Rabbitt sounded more country than almost anything played today. It’s a shame when country acts like Josh Turner and Easton Corbin aren’t the superstars of country radio like they should be.
CountryKnight,
Thanks for the request. It worked out for me, because I ended up liking the song quite a lot.:) I was happy to be able to write a positive review for a change.