Twenty-plus years after a truly epic debut, MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner is still as clear and consistent as ever. But as the South Carolina native knows, “consistent” has never meant “static.” Turner has seen the trends come and go and soldiered through the ups and downs of an often fickle business. He’s stayed true to himself and, with his 10th studio album This Country Music Thing, he’s in a sweet spot of creative confidence. Pairing the hard twang of telecasters with driving rhythms, prominent fiddle-and-steel licks, and saloon-style piano, the vibrant mix is still led by Turner’s cavernous vocals — a showcase not just of the depths it can sink to, but also its dynamic, road-tested grit.
