Over the past two years, vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Cory Hanson has proven to have a tireless work ethic. From his 2023 solo release, Western Cum, to his work with his psychedelic rock outfit Wand and their 2024 release Vertigo, Hanson’s poetic approach to songwriting and love for nostalgic textures appear to be in two places at once. Just when you thought Hanson’s creative tap had run dry, the artist announces I Love People, his fifth solo LP. The 11-song album was recorded with the same musicians who helped put together Wand’s Vertigo, with Robbie Cody co-producing, Evan Backer on bass, horn and string arrangements, Evan Burrows working on percussion, and Hanson piecing together the piano and guitars. Can Hanson maintain this high-level output, or will I Love People prove to be the breaking point for Hanson’s creativity? The answer lies somewhere within the latest solo LP from the prolific artist.
In short, the answer is that Hanson still has plenty left in the artistic tank. I Love People finds Hanson sounding more comfortable and confident than ever as the artist assembles a poetically urgent and sonically sweeping LP, brimming with gentle wit and careful precision. While his work with Wand showcases a passion for experimentation that stretches the limits of the psych-rock genre, Hanson’s solo material leans to the folksy soul side of things, the perfect arena for the artist to execute the lofty visions that fill I Love People. The title of this LP used to be something optimistic to burst out in the face of the one-track-minded, but when this sentiment is put into the hands of Hanson, the meaning gets flipped. When Hanson proclaims he loves people, he really means it. I Love People is not an unthinkingly positive burst of manifestation for a connected world; Hanson takes the modern world as it is—a dark, eerie place of distrust that could be bright and beautiful if approached with the proper perspective.
Across the eleven songs that fill up I Love People, Hanson is penning beautiful messages to any and all who will gather around and listen to his soaring vocals. Lyrically, Hanson successfully tackles a plethora of topics, ranging from downtrodden reimaginings of Christmas classics (“Santa Claus Is Coming Back To Town”) to searching for hope in bleak situations (“Final Frontier”). It appears that Hanson’s goal with I Love People was to bring the listener into his world, imbuing these songs with an immersive, palpable layer of emotion and imagery. “Texas Weather” transports you to a big, open field in the Lone Star State with glistening acoustics that act as a gentle Spring breeze, and “Joker” brings the listener into the middle of a dive bar scuffle. While Hanson’s storytelling abilities steal the show on I Love People, the captivating atmosphere is only emphasized by the impressive production work.
I Love People is lyrically tight yet sonically sprawling as Hanson switches from soft piano ballad to explosive twang. While the full arrangements are stunningly mesmerizing, like the punchy horns on the title track, or the twinkling, alluring guitars on “On The Rocks,” it is when Hanson is left alone at his piano that the album achieves its singularity. “Bad Miracles” is a stunning, stripped-down ballad that tackles longing and despair, while the soft “Old Policeman” is a cinematic storytelling track built around slow-burning piano melodies. Whether he’s pontificating over nimble pieces of soul or telling tales fire-side with piano-driven arrangements, Hanson proves to be a modern songwriting giant on I Love People.
