CODY JINKS - "And, Again" - Late August Records

Some songs sound as though they have been lived long before they were ever written. “And, Again,” the deeply personal new release from Cody Jinks, carries that kind of authenticity. Drawing from the experiences that have shaped his life and career, Jinks delivers a reflective country recording that finds remarkable meaning in the distance between chasing a dream and understanding everything it takes to pursue it.

There is a difference between writing about life and putting your actual life into a song. Jinks has built much of his reputation on the latter, approaching songwriting with an honesty that rarely feels polished for the sake of making things more comfortable. On “And, Again,” that willingness to look backward without disguising the difficult parts gives the track its considerable emotional weight. Rather than presenting the journey of an independent musician as a straightforward success story, he acknowledges the uncertainty, personal sacrifices and hard-earned experiences that come with pursuing something you believe in.

One of the song's most revealing moments finds Jinks reflecting on leaving for California at 22, facing early struggles and ultimately living through the experiences he would later turn into songs. It's a remarkably effective piece of autobiographical storytelling because it doesn't attempt to romanticize the struggle. There is an understanding that the person he was at that age couldn't possibly have known how everything would unfold. The distance between that younger version of himself and the artist telling the story now gives the song a sense of perspective that cannot easily be manufactured. These aren't borrowed memories or generic observations about perseverance. They feel like chapters from a life that has genuinely been lived.

That sense of hard-earned perspective is what makes the song's title particularly fitting. “And, Again” suggests a willingness to keep going, even when the road has been difficult and the outcome remains uncertain. There is no grand declaration of having conquered every obstacle or reached some final destination. Instead, the song embraces the determination to continue creating, learning and moving forward. It's an understanding that a meaningful career, much like life itself, is rarely a straight line. Sometimes the greatest accomplishment is simply having the conviction to begin another chapter.

The musical direction makes the storytelling even more effective. Following the heavier, more rock-oriented character of Change The Game and In My Blood, the forthcoming album finds Jinks and The Tonedeaf Hippies embracing a warmer, looser and more country-centered sound. Produced by Jim “Moose” Brown, the project places renewed emphasis on the organic chemistry of the longtime band. This more relaxed musical approach provides a fitting backdrop for Jinks' reflective songwriting, allowing the stories and performances to take precedence without sacrificing the grit that has always been part of his sound.

That sense of collaboration also makes the album's presentation noteworthy. For the first time, The Tonedeaf Hippies receive prominent billing alongside Jinks on the album cover, recognizing the musicians who have helped shape his sound throughout his career. It is a fitting acknowledgment of a partnership that has become central to his musical identity.

As the title track of the 14-song And, Again, arriving February 26, 2027, this release offers an intriguing introduction to the next chapter of Jinks' work. More than simply announcing another album, it provides a glimpse into an artist reflecting on where he has been while remaining firmly committed to where he is going.

With “And, Again,” Cody Jinks reminds us that the most meaningful songs aren't always about having everything figured out. Sometimes they're about looking at the road behind you, recognizing everything it took to get here and finding the conviction to keep going. It's honest, thoughtful country songwriting from an artist whose greatest strength has always been his willingness to tell the truth.

(Review Written By: Chad Carlson)