Georgia native Brian Fuller’s long-awaited debut album, Small Town Record, is out now on all platforms. Featuring 10 tracks, it’s the culmination of a steady build of singles Fuller has released over the past several years, which have rightfully earned him a reputation as one of the sharpest rising songwriters in Nashville. The record captures the story of his life, honest and Georgia-rooted, each song a chapter in his small-town story.
Featuring four tracks Fuller unveiled earlier this year, including “Southern Summer Sundown,” his collaboration with Jameson Rodgers, Small Town Record kicks off with a soaring testament to his backwoods roots. In illustrative detail, “With My Eyes Closed” celebrates the muscle memory of country living, the hunting, fishing, and dirt-road rhythm that becomes second nature after a lifetime of it.
The album’s title track follows. It’s a full-circle chronicle of his upbringing, recalling stories from back home in the verses while professing the need to preserve them through songs in the chorus. This theme is a through line throughout Small Town Record.
From “Know About Me,” a plaintive, post-breakup ballad, to “Long Gone Story Short,” a more facetious, word-play filled take on the same subject, Fuller finds meaning and importance not only in stories, but in telling them. For instance, the chorus of the album’s most-streamed track, which champions making the most of every moment, lands on a simple, inspiring message (and the song’s title): “Write A Song.”
Other tracks, such as “When Jesus Comes Back” and “For You (Katie’s Song)” also point to making the most of life by keeping your priorities focused on the importance things. In these songs (and every song), Fuller’s ability to give life and color to his experiences; to tie small, coming-of-age moments to universal messages; to finding meaning where others don’t; makes this album one of the strongest debuts this year.
We are excited to see where he goes from here and truly can’t recommend this album enough! Stream it below, and be sure to give Fuller a follow here to stay updated with new music.