27. April 2026
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Media Review

Paul Cauthen – Book of Paul

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Paul Cauthen - Book Of Paul

Paul Cauthen - Book Of Paul
4.7

Rating

 4.7/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Great storytelling
  • Impressing songs with a strong character

Whenever I run into music by Paul Cauthen, I have a smile on my face. I just cannot stop thinking about his amazing 2022 single, Country as Fuck. However, the song is by far not his most successful one (one of the more successful tracks, by the way, is Cocaine Country Dancing… 🙂 ). Cauthen releases a new album on 3rd April 2026, which is simply named Book of Paul. I just had to have a listen.

 

Paul Cauthen – About The Artist

Paul Cauthen is an East Texas country rock artist. He was born in the mid 1980’s and turned professional in 2009. His first steps were as part of a band, Sons of Fathers. Since 2016, Cauthen is pursuing a solo career. As such, Cauthen released four albums and an EP so far. His latest solo album release is Black on Black (2024).

 

Paul Cauthen – Book Of Paul – Track by Track

The thirteen track album lasts 40 minutes.

1. Book of Paul

I’ve cussed, I’ve drank, I’ve kicked the lights out
I’ve toked, I’ve coked, I blew the house down
This hell raising fire turned ashes to the ground
Sweep ‘em up, throw them out
Cause there’s a new man in town

The title track is opening Paul Cauthen’s 2026 album. The song comes with country elements, but also with the groove and melancholy of a blues track. Finally, he sums up with Well, it’s all in the Book of Paul. Let’s see what this record additionally has in stock.

2. Ain’t No Crime

Ain’t No Crime is one of four songs of the album, which Cauthen has shared before the album release. The song is having the same dark mood as the opener, even though the topic is not a too sad one. If your love was a prison, I’d gladly do the time, Cauthen states in the lyrics. A nice song with a nice depth, which is stays in your mind.

3. Texas Swagger

Initially, the Texas Swagger profiles with a stomping beat. However, the single release comes with a good melody and interesting narrative elements as well. The bass voice of the artist feels more present than in the two songs before. If you enjoy country music, which is leaving the mainstream path, the song is definitely a nice option for you.

4. Tossin’ Back Time (feat. Jake Worthington)

Two songs of the  Book of Paul also feature guest artist. In Tossin’ Back Time, Cauthen works with country and Western swing artist Jake Worthington. The nice bass work and the vocal duet parts with the 2013 The Voice runner-up lead to a very interesting listen, which again features some surprising, but valuable instrumental elements.

5. Blue Denim & Black Gold

So far, the songs strike with a nice contrast of rather traditional elements and some virtuous elements. If you rather like straight, traditional country music vibes, Paul Cauthen has this one in stock for you. Again, I like his dark, very mature voice, which is a nice contrast to many country music recordings nowadays.

6. Breakaway

The slowly marching Breakaway comes with some interesting new elements. Some parts of the song even feel a bit of funky, while it generally slowly marches for almost three minutes, driven by the rhythm and beat of the song. You simply cannot state that there is a wide variety of songs in this The Book of Paul. This song is one of the most impressing ones.

7. Chain Smoking (feat. Delaney Ramsdell)

Delaney Ramsdell is a Texas origin country music lady, who is nowadays living in Nashville. Together with Paul Cauthen, she also released this lovely ballad. Despite her rather high voice, they match really nicely in this ballad.

8. Bayou By You

The last already released chapter of the  Book of Paul is Bayou By You. The song comes with rather present backing vocals and a nice country swag. These kind of songs suit Paul Cauthen’s voice really nicely. Good one!

9. Dark Horse

I’ve been dreaming of open pastures – that’s how Dark House is kicking off. The song is slow and dark in the stanzas. Especially the beginning is even a bit of scary. Paul Cauthen uses whistling in this song quite extensively in this song. Nice one.

When nothing’s left, just by myself
I’ll find my own way by the stars in the sky
Lightning strikes, I’ll ride it twice
There’s no need for luck when I bet on my own
Dark horse
I’ll bet on my, bet on my own
Dark horse

10. Cigarettes & Billy Graham

Not too few country songs are about alcohol and girls – Paul Cauthen goes for Cigarettes & Billy Graham. Graham, who died in 2018, was an American Evangelical Christian minister, who even received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Especially the chorus feels comparably modern. One of the best stories told in this album.

11. Road Dog

Road Dog starts slowly, the melody initially reminds me a bit of some Elvis songs. However, the song soon presents some very energetic sections. Cauthen works with interesting melodic elements again, there is even a sound which reminds of the shouting of monkeys. The majestic melody and the breaks between the stanzas and the chorus definitely leave a mark at the listener.

Now I’ll come when you call, lick the scraps when they fall
You broke this old road dog
I was just an old road dog

12. Texas Gravel Road

In the penultimate act of this Book, Cauthen takes you to a Texas Gravel Road. The song comes with massive intensity, even though it is at most a mid-tempo one. I like the energy and the groove of this song.

13. The Voice Inside (Silence)

In the final song, Cauthen is begging Silence, Lord, I need silence – and takes breaks between the lines of this very special song. They pull on my soul and don’t let me fold to the voice inside, he later states. A beautiful, thoughtful and even a bit of meditative finale.

 

Paul Cauthen – Book Of Paul – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Paul Cauthen – Book Of Paul – My View

Paul Cauthen is indeed a special artist – and his Book of Paul is special as well. The songs have a strong character, tell good, relatable and personal stories. Summed up, this is just a really good album, outside the mainstream country music world.

Favorite Song: Cigarettes & Billy Graham

 

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