American roots singer-songwriter John Paul White has been riding on a steady wave of success since the release of Belulah in 2016, showing that he can easily manage his own solo career after splitting from The Civil ars duo in 2014. the artist has returned once again dropping a new single entitled “The Long Way Home,” off the album The Hurting Kind which is set to be released this April.

“The Long Way Home,” takes a country approach that White has been known and well regarded for, blending acoustic guitars, a piano and violin to give the effect of a full backing band. White’s impassioned delivery serve as an ode to older country songs, giving the listener a sense of journey.

According to a press release The Hurting Kind was inspired by the works of Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Chet Atkins and Bill Porter, who have all made major contributions to folk and country. In addition White sought out the help of Whisperin’ Bill Anderson and Bobby Braddock for the song-writing side of the project.

“Coming out of each and every one of these situations, I got a resounding thumbs-up that I was on that right track,” White stated in a press release regarding the collaborations. “I didn’t need anybody else’s approval after that.”

White also explained that songwriting was essential to the album, explaining that it came first before he ever got into a studio for the instrumentals. This shows on “The Long Way Home,” as it explains an interpersonal journey for White,  which grab the listener’s attention during the song.

“I approached this album differently on the songwriting side before I ever got into the studio,” White elbaorated. “I really wanted there to be a torch song quality to it, the classic timeless quality. To not be afraid of the big note, and not be afraid of the drama.”

In an interview with Red Line Roots, White also explained that working in Nashville, his hometown, was also very important and that it also was central to the album’s theme. He explains that seeking a publisher in the city, which is seen as the mecca for American country music, was the first thing he worked on.

“Knowing that I was going to get back into the songwriting game after working this record for a while, I wanted to take advantage of having a publisher up in Nashville,” White explained in the interview. “They have been incredibly patient with me, as someone who writes songs for himself, and I know they’ve been chomping at the bit for songs they can use to pitch.”

Despite going to Nashville, and recruiting help, he explained the importance to keeping his own style:

“I want to write some songs, but I want break out of the mold,” he further explained. “Let’s find all of my old heroes that made me want to write songs, like Bill Anderson and Bobby Braddock and Waylon Holyfield, all these geniuses that probably aren’t getting their doors knocked on very much anymore, even though they wrote songs like, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “Tips of My Fingers.”

JOHN PAUL WHITE—THE HURTING KIND
1. The Good Old Days
2. I Wish I Could Write You a Song
3. Heart Like a Kite
4. Yesterday’s Love
5. The Long Way Home
6. The Hurting Kind
7. This Isn’t Gonna End Well (featuring Lee Ann Womack)
8. You Lost Me
9. James
10. My Dreams Have All Come True