Catching up with an old friend.

Josiah Flores’ Doin’ Fine feels like catching up with an old friend over a long drive. Windows down, sun setting, nothing forced. It’s a record that is rooted in country and folk but carried and enhanced by lived experience. It is storytelling at its most grounded and vulnerable state.

From the jump, Flores sets the tone with “Wishin’ I Don’t Care,” which is a low blow about trying not to feel too much. “Young, Dumb, & Full of Beer” then comes in like a blurry memory of your early twenties. It is funny, reckless and comes with a tinge of regret. It’s got that honesty where you laugh at your past self while knowing you’ve grown.

“Southside” is more of a hometown anthem. There’s pride in it but pride that is layered with love, frustration and a bit of nostalgia. “La Lucha” may be the emotional core of the whole record, not just because of what it says but through how it sounds. There’s no rush or big climax – instead, it simmers, letting the textures and layers speak just as loudly as the lyrics.

“Villain” opens with a crisp guitar line that sets the mood. Flores’ vocals are delivered and convey a deep sense of introspection and vulnerability. The production maintains a raw warmth, allowing the emotion to shine through.

The whole record has this warmth, thanks to Alicia Vanden Heuvel’s production. They created an atmosphere that feels like they’ve known each other forever. Nothing’s overpolished. It sounds like it was meant to be played live. Josiah Flores is gracefully telling his story. Growing up Chicano in San Jose, he navigates family life and tries to figure out who he is. It’s reflective without being heavy-handed and emotional without feeling overly dramatic. The album ends up feeling like a place you want to stay for a while.