Mobile, Alabama-based country rockers The Red Clay Strays seemed to come out of nowhere in 2022 when their self-released single “Wondering Why,” lacking any of the novelty earmarks of other social media viral hits, took off on TikTok and landed them on the Billboard charts.
But any thoughts that The Red Clay Strays were just a flavor of the week earworm quickly vanish just a couple of songs into their stellar second album, Made By These Moments. The one-two punch of the opening track, “Disaster,” a smoldering dark country gothic number, followed by the full-throttle rock of the next song, “Wasting Time,” shows this is a band here to prove all the hype was warranted. The band blends country and rock perfectly, recalling influences as diverse as modern greats Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell to classic southern rockers like Skynyrd and 38 Special.
Lyrically, the band covers some heavy topics here. “Made by These Moments shines a light on overcoming the battles we face in life like loneliness, depression, and hopelessness,” said singer Brandon Coleman. “We hope you listen and recognize that our pain has a purpose.” You can hear the heartache clearly in songs like “Wanna Be Loved” and “Drowning,” songs that vividly describe the helplessness.
They called on Dave Cobb to help with the record, at this point the go-to producer for some of the best Americana albums of the past decade (having worked with everyone from Isbell and Chris Stapleton to Brandi Carlile and Springsteen, snagging nine Grammys along the way). Cobb does a great job building on the foundation of the band’s first record, leaning into their sound, blending rock, soul, and country. The Red Clay Strays’ appeal is their ability to rip the roof off the building with a raucous song like “Ramblin” and moments later pull off a genuinely emotionally stirring song like “I’m Still Fine.”
The band, who have been on the road since May, including a set opening for the Rolling Stones, have dates booked across the country through November, including a slew of festival appearances.
