Description
Jon Pardi – Heartache Medication – Vinyl Record
Jon Pardi’s Heartache Medication, released on September 27, 2019, is a vibrant celebration of neo-traditional country music, serving as both a heartfelt homage to honky-tonk heroes of the past and a strong assertion of Pardi’s own place in the modern country landscape. Coming off the success of his 2016 breakout album California Sunrise, Pardi doubled down on his commitment to fiddles, steel guitars, and dancehall-ready rhythms, bucking the pop-country trends of the late 2010s with a sound that’s both refreshing and nostalgic.
The album’s title track, “Heartache Medication,” sets the tone right away—a lively, fiddle-driven number about using a night out and a few drinks to nurse heartbreak. It’s not a wallowing lament, but a toe-tapping two-stepper, reminiscent of George Strait or early Alan Jackson, and it perfectly encapsulates Pardi’s approach: keep the heartache real, but keep the boots moving. The song went on to become a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and earned critical praise for its authentic sound and charm.
Across Heartache Medication, Pardi remains true to his influences while offering a confident, personal take on the genre. Songs like “Ain’t Always the Cowboy” flip classic country tropes—this time, it’s the woman who rides off into the sunset, leaving the man behind. The track is lyrically sharp and emotionally nuanced, and its melodic strength made it another radio favorite, showcasing Pardi’s growing skill as both a vocalist and storyteller.
Elsewhere, “Tequila Little Time” brings a lighthearted, beach-bar bounce to the mix, while “Love Her Like She’s Leaving” slows things down for a ballad that feels like it could have come out of Nashville’s golden age. The production, largely handled by Pardi himself along with Bart Butler and Ryan Gore, strikes a careful balance between vintage textures and modern clarity. There’s no attempt to chase trends—instead, the record feels grounded in a deep respect for country tradition, with every fiddle run and pedal steel bend placed with purpose.
One of the album’s strengths is its cohesiveness. Though it spans moods—from upbeat to introspective—the album flows naturally, held together by Pardi’s honky-tonk baritone and the live-band energy that permeates even its most polished moments. Tracks like “Starlight” (a tender tribute to lost loved ones) and “Old Hat” (a defense of old-school values) reveal the emotional depth beneath the party vibe, offering a well-rounded picture of a man who’s not just here for the dancehall lights.
Critics praised Heartache Medication for its authenticity, craftsmanship, and unapologetic embrace of classic country elements. It was hailed as a standout in a Nashville scene increasingly dominated by pop-infused production. Pardi earned comparisons to modern traditionalists like Chris Stapleton and Midland, but he’s arguably more steeped in the Bakersfield-meets-Texas honky-tonk tradition, making him a true revivalist in the best sense.
Commercially, the album was a success, debuting at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart and earning him another wave of fans who were craving fiddle solos over drum loops. Heartache Medication further cemented Jon Pardi as one of the most important torchbearers for traditional country in the mainstream, proving that authenticity, wit, and a little heartbreak still go a long way in the genre.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Old Hat
Heartache Medication
Nobody Leaves A Girl Like That
Ain’t Always The Cowboy
Me And Jack
Don’t Blame It On Whiskey Featuring – Lauren Alaina
Tied One On
Oughta Know That
Tequila Little Time
Buy That Man A Beer
Call Me Country
Just Like Old Times
Love Her Like She’s Leaving
Starlight
