16. May 2026
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Media Review

49 Winchester – Change of Plans

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

49 Winchester - Change of Plans

49 Winchester - Change of Plans
4.4

Rating

 4.4/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Ten very good stories
  • Characteristic 49 Winchester sounds
  • Versatile listen

49 Winchester are a frequent guest on Flyctory.com. I featured two studio albums of the US American band. Namely, these were the 2024 Leavin’ This Holler and the 2022 Fortune Favors The Bold. I also featured a few of their shows, e.g. one in October 2025 and one in May 2024, both in Cologne. On 15th May 2026, they share a new album, Change of Plans. Here is my review.

 

49 Winchester – About The Artists

49 Winchester is a US American country rock band, which has been founded in 2013 in Castlewood, Virginia. The band members are Isaac Gibson (vocals, guitar), Bus Shelton (guitar), Noah Patrick (pedal steel), Chase Chafin (bass), Tim Hall (keys) and Justin Louthian (drums). Change of Plans is already their sixth studio album. The band is very popular in Europe as well, which is reflected by the fact that Leavin’ This Holler had its best chart placements in the United Kingdom.

 

49 Winchester – Change of Plans – Track by Track

The ten song album lasts 39 minutes.

1. The Window

Feeling good at the beginning of Change of Plans: the opener The Window is coming with a clear 49 Winchester signature. It’s a slower country song with a nice groove. The song tells the story of a lady headed for the Promised Land, looking for a new chance in coal mining. A song full of hope, but with a lot more struggle. Lovely storytelling and a promising first song, indeed.

Broken bodies, broken system
Broken families, broken hearts
Another day, another dollar
Another trip down in the dark
And it’s always one step forward
And two steps back
Money’s green and coal is black
And you can’t get family back

2. Bluebird

If I was a bluebird
I’d fly up to your window
And play for you the sweetest song

The first three lines already tell you: this one is about love. Isaac Gibson beautifully presents the emotions behind the story, which is not having a very positive twist. The dramatic musical presentation and an intense bridge are the foundation of a great listen.

3. Changes

Changes has been one of the four single releases before the album – and it is a special one. 49 Winchester honor Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in this song and do their very own, gentle cover of their 1972 song. Thanks for everything, Ozzy! And thanks to this US country band for their lovely homage.

4. All Around Me

The fourth song is a new one, All Around Me. The song is another rather gentle one. After the intense listens at the beginning and the lovely 5:29 minute Changes, the song feels a bit hidden. But the more you listen to it, the more you enjoy it. Nice one.

5. Slowly

Released in April 2026, Slowly has been the third single publication before the album. I really like this one. It comes with a fine melody and feels like a very personal and direct listen. This perfectly relates to the the story and emotions told (I smashed a couple Gatorades, head feels like a hand grenade)

6. All Over Again

49 Winchester rock harder at All Over Again. The almost four minute song significantly pushes the speed of Change of Plans. Nonetheless, the song does reflect quite some struggle – but it is about feelings many fans will be able to relate to.

That I took a dive and I’m still swimmin’ up from the bottom
And it’s something that I’ve never felt, and hope not to again
And the trophy wasn’t nothing but a fucked-up education
In the ways to make her heart break all over again
All over again

7. Oh Savannah

The gentle ballad Oh Savannah was the last song putting the focus on Change of Plans. 49 Winchester shared it the week before the album. They state Oh Savannah, wish that you were mine. Let’s hope that the main person in the song appreciates the song as much as the listener of the record.

8. Bringin’ Home The Bacon

Traditional sound, a nice speed, snappy vibes – Bringin’ Home The Bacon is definitely a song made to make the people dance on upcoming concerts. After many intense listens, it is time to relax and enjoy yourself. 49 Winchester cover that kind of country music perfectly as well – did you expect something else?

9. Pardon Me

Pardon Me starts slowly, but becomes more intense in the chorus. The song has quite a lot of energy and is a lovely Southern rocker with these kinds of elements listeners love. The album started in feel good mode – and it does have some of these moments later as well.

10. Heavy Chevy

Well, I have seen the world from a Chevrolet van
And I’ve gazed upon the Rock of Ages
Killed a whitetail in the timber
Toted firewood in December
And I’ve been to where the fire rages
I’ve been high and low and middlin’
I’ve spent most of my time piddlin’
Pickin’ this guitar, tryin’ to chase down a dream

Oh no, it’s the end of Change of Plans already. The chucker-out role is taking by Heavy Chevy. It’s a slower country rocker, which nicely links to the emotions presented in the album. Later, the riffs become heavier and the song is having some louder and more dramatic elements. A good one.

 

49 Winchester – Change of Plans – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

49 Winchester – Change of Plans – My View

Despite being commercially successful or not, I more and more split North American country music into two parts. There is this large portion of commercial, mainstream music, which can be extremely fun, but always also comes with a bit of a random touch. And then, there are bands which create their own style, define their own music, release songs with a lot of character. They feel much stronger to this Three chords and the truth mantra to me.

49 Winchester definitely belong to the second group. And they show that again with Change of Plans. They have defined their signature sound, which still offers a wide range of different listens. And you simply enjoy how they reflect about their experiences. This time, in ten lovely songs. And this is why the album is really enjoyable.

Favorite Song: All Around Me

 

Flyctory.com Country Music Top Pick! Reviews in 2026

Here are all 2026-published Media reviews about Country Music with a Top Pick! rating:

 

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