Album Review: Reunions - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

My taste in music has changed fairly significantly over the years. Unlike how I used to listen almost exclusively to hip-hop and rap music, I now try to branch out and listen to other genres. I’ve found that folk, Americana, and blues are more substantive and emotionally provoking than a majority of the popular rap which dominates the charts. Put simply, my taste is as balanced now as it has ever been. One of the main artists that has caused this transition in my musical preferences is Jason Isbell and his accompanying band the 400 Unit. I was introduced to Isbell through his 2017 release The Nashville Sound, which paired crushing sentimentality with relevant and topical political statements. I have also gone back and listened to most of Isbell’s discography, holding Southeastern as the standard to beat for all future projects of his. After almost three years, Isbell and the 400 Unit are back with their newest album Reunions, which did not disappoint.

The lead single for Reunions, “Be Afraid”, alarmed some longtime Isbell fans. This track is a departure from Jason’s typical homegrown and heartfelt sound which so many have come to love. Instead, this folk-rock track relies on its production more than it does its lyrical content. That isn’t to say that it is a bad track by any means, but many hoped that the rest of the album’s songs were a return to form for Isbell. They certainly were. The next singles to release, “What’ve I Done To Help”, “Only Children”, and “Dreamsicle”, featured the brilliant storytelling which is expected in Jason Isbell’s music. These tracks brought tears to my eyes with cutting sentimentality, arrangement, and delivery. I knew I was in for a treat with this project.

Come the time of its release, I had tissues nearby and candles lit to enjoy the experience for whatever it was going to be. Some of the new tracks were especially emotional first listens, but there was a healthy balance of energy which didn’t make this too somber of a listen, increasing its replayability for me. The magnetic guitar lick on “Overseas”, the poetic lyrics featured on “River”, and the playful but poignant reflection found on “It Gets Easier” are Isbell at his best. The project ends with the touching “Letting You Go”, a demonstration of Isbell’s love and commitment to his daughter, which will likely be played at every wedding for decades to come. Most of the tracks on this projects have held up through many, many listens for me.

Most of them have. There are some issues I have with this project, but I’d generally describe this album as great. That being said, “What’ve I Done To Help” seems unnecessarily long, “Running With Our Eyes Closed” is a love song which is unfortunately forgettable for me, and the tone of this album fluctuates wildly from track to track. These are the only problems I have with an otherwise addictive, nostalgic, and wonderful project.

I found the New York Times’ story about Isbell and his amazingly talented singer-songwriter wife Amanda Shires very interesting. It seems that this album was difficult for the couple to create, but had I not known that beforehand, nothing in the album would’ve indicated any sort of struggle between the two. I sincerely hope that they have settled any disagreements which may have arisen when making this project, and it seems that is the case after their Brooklyn Bowl Nashville MusiCares relief performance of the album. I highly recommend checking out Reunions. Thanks for reading.

Favorite tracks: “Dreamsicle”, “Only Children”, “Overseas”, “River”, “Letting You Go”

SCORE: 7/10