Piper & The Hard Times turn heads with groove in “Trouble Man”

On their new single “Trouble Man,” Piper & The Hard Times show that blues is captivating. The Nashville-located collective emerges with one that’s as funky as it is soulful, militarizing equal parts of the grit of blues with sharp, sleek contemporary hooks that surprise you in the best way. This ain’t your granddad’s blues band. This is blues with attitude, a wink, and a lot of heart. From the opening bars, Trouble Man has you in its grip.” The groove strikes exactly right, tight enough to keep your foot tapping, loose enough to feel lived-in. But it is the pure catchiness of the track that seals the deal.

Piper & The Hard Times have stumbled upon a timelessness in their sound while still feeling fresh. The hooks are clever and memorable, both musically and lyrically. It’s the song you find yourself humming without even knowing it. The band’s roots are blues, but it’s not one for sticking in its lane. Trouble Man dips its toes into rock and soul while never sacrificing its bluesy center. It’s this cross-appeal that’s winning them fans all over, from college kids getting their first taste of dive-bar rock’ n’ roll to middle-aged listeners who were spinning vinyl in their parents’ basements. Piper & The Hard Times pleases people all of the time.

The song has a touch of playful charm in the “trouble man” character and depth behind the bravado. The storytelling is tight, confident, and relatable, and the vocals are gritty and smooth in equal measure. Having played all over the U.S. and established themselves in the crowded Nashville scene, Piper & The Hard Times know their identity and rock it out. Trouble Man is evidence that blues can still surprise you, touch you, and bring people together the way few other genres can. With this release, the band is leaving its signature and shaping its own space. Piper & The Hard Times may indulge in the blues, but they are not fooling around.