Hootie and the Blowfish Dropped A Brand New Album In The Year 2019 And It's Perfect

It is the year 2019 and I've seen Hootie and the Blowfish live in concert and listened to brand new music. No, no, not Darius Rucker. Actual Hootie and the Blowfish. I gotta tell you, the world is a better place because of that. Hootie is one of my favorite bands and musical acts of all time. Rare to have them put out anything bad. But here we are 14 years after their last album with a brand new one. Let's get into it.

First, live gut reaction grades. 

New Year's Day - A+++++ Coming out with an absolute banger to start the album off. This is the best song on the album for me and is cracking my top-10 Hootie songs now. It's got the old school Hootie feel, which let's be honest, is what we're here for. 

Miss California - A Slows it down a bit but still has that Hootie pace. Bringing up a love story, very 90s-esque. The type of song you can play on a nice day, windows down and a girl (or guy) next to you. Bonus points for sex on the beach and weed. 

Wildfire Love - B 

Hold On - B+ 

Turn It Up - B+ When we get to the 'turn it up' part, boy does that make you tap your toes.  

Not Tonight - A++++ Absolute FIRE for a song. The beat slaps. The words slap. It's near perfection. I have it as the second best song on the album behind New Year's Day, but it's more 1a, 1b. Similar to New Year's Day, this is cracking my top-10. This is peak Hootie.  

We Are One - B- 

Everybody But You - B 

Lonely on a Saturday Night - B 

Why - A- 

Rollin - A- 

Half a Day Ahead - B+ 

Change - D I'm just not a fan of the slower songs. Get it has to be here, but not a huge fan.

Overall: A- 

I may just be excited that there's new Hootie and thinking of the nostalgic songs, but this is a solid, solid album. Mostly you should be excited we're getting more Hootie and not another Darius Rucker album. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Darius Rucker but Hootie >>>>> and it's not even close. It's Friday, there's new Hootie, it's cold. Jam out to it, think about summer and hit up a bar my friends. 

Oh and because why not argue. My top-10 Hootie songs (updated)

1. Only Wanna Be With You
2. Hold My Hand
3. Running from an Angel
4. Tucker’s Town
5. Time
6. Let Her Cry
7. New Year's Day
8. Let It Breathe
9. Not Tonight
10. Old Man and Me