11. March 2025
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Media Review

Jackson Dean – On The Back Of My Dreams

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Jackson Dean - On The Back Of My Dreams

Jackson Dean - On The Back Of My Dreams
4.1

Rating

 4.1/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Very relatable songs with excellent storytelling
  • Wide range of different kinds of styles

About a year ago, I saw Jackson Dean live on stage for the first time. The US-American artist attended the Heart To Heart event in Dusseldorf in late August 2023 and did an amazing set. Now, he is back with an album. The release date of On The Back Of My Dreams is 6th September 2024. I had a deeper listen.

 

Jackson Dean – About The Artist

Jackson Dean Nicholson was born on 6th October 2000 in Odenton, Maryland. He left home at the age of 18 to pursue a musical career in Nashville. He had some success in the late 2010’s finally as a support artist and thus got his first record deal. As part of that, he released a self-titled EP in 2021 and his debut album Greenbroke in 2022. The latter also featured his most successful track so far. The single release Don’t Come Lookin’ peaked third in the US Country Airplay Charts as well as in the Canadian Country Charts. In 2023, he was nominated for the ACMA Awards as the New Male Artist of the Year.

 

Jackson Dean – On The Back Of My Dreams – Track by Track

The thirteen track album lasts47 minutes.

1. Big Blue Sky

The album kicks off with a single release, Big Blue Sky. The song is a typical Jackson Dean one, coming with an energetic, rocking sound. A really good and promising opener for the twelve songs which still lay ahead of the listener.

2. Duct Tape Heart

Duct Tape Heart opens with harmonica sounds. The song is finer and rather will appeal traditional country music lovers. However, the chorus has a nice rocking touch as well. It is a nice listen with some good country music vibes.

3. Talkin’ To Backroads

In the third track, Dean is Talkin’ To Backroads. In the very first line, he states If my troubles were gravel, I’d lay ‘em and travel. The song is driven by acoustic guitars and the pedal steel. A beautiful, very melodic listen, which feels very personal as well.

Just talkin’ to backroads
It’s easy to say what’s on your mind
Just talkin’ to backroads
You ain’t gotta stay between the lines
That red dirt it listens
Knows who you’re missing
Hears you admitting that you’re flesh and bone
Now I’m lettin’ it all go
Just talkin’ to backroads

4. Daddy Raised

After some more quiet songs, Jackson Dean is rocking again in Daddy Raised. The song starts rather calm, but especially the chorus almost feels angry. This leads to a nice plot in this 3:13 minute listen.

5. Long Goodbye

You say you want me and then you don’t
You got one foot out the door while the other ones walkin’ me home
If you get a little lonely just let me know
Just lock the front door, leave the back porch light on

The styles of the songs opening On The Back Of My Dreams is very versatile. Long Goodbye is a very rhythmic and groovy. However, the song maintains a clear country music heart. A more modern sound, which works out fine in the context of the album.

6. Real Real

The sixth track of Dean’s sophomore album has a slightly darker touch. The guitars are creating a nice atmosphere during the chorus, while the stanzas concentrate on the artist’s voice majorly. Good country vibes and a nice dramaturgy turn this one to another really nice listen.

7. Heavens To Betsy

On The Back Of My Dreams continues with two songs, which have already been featured as singles. The first one, Heavens To Betsy, starts like a country ballad, but increases its energy level steadily thereafter.

8. Train

The eighth song is a very atmospheric one. Especially the sections in which Dean is almost howling like an ol-fashioned train add a lot of character and stay in your mind. However, they also somehow distract you from the lovely storytelling of the artist.

9. Free

Free is the ninth song of this release. The song comes with a rather typical plot, with calm stanzas and a rather powerful chorus. The melody is very catching – and the energetic style fits very well to the US-American’s voice.

‘Cause free ain’t cheap
And free don’t lie
And free might keep you up at night
Yeah free is heavy
You pay for every feather on your wing
To be free

10. Sweet Appalachia

The tenth song almost lasts four minutes. The song is more fluent and comes with nice, melodic vibes. The melancholic style of the song leads to a slightly bluesy touch.

11. Jane

Jane, Jane, leavin’ me low
I never held on, but I never let go
Jane, Jane, blowin’ in the breeze
Keepin’ me awake on the back of my dreams

The song Jane has a special, almost lamenting sound. This creates a lot of atmosphere. The chorus almost feels melodic in the context of this recording. With the last line of the chorus, the song is also something like the hidden title track of the album.

12. Heaven

From Jane, Jackson Dean is taking us to Heaven. He asks at the very beginning Who knows if those roads are really made of miles of gold or if the pearly gates even have a key? However, the chorus with stomping drums adds quite a lot of power to the calm verses before.

13. Another Century

The closing song of On The Back Of My Dreams is Another Century. With 4:38 minutes, the thoughtful ballad is also the longest track of his 2024 album. The key message But I won’t see another century in this cage leads to a somehow sad final statement. In the final minutes, the guitar suddenly break out for an intense finale

 

Jackson Dean – On The Back Of My Dreams – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Jackson Dean – On The Back Of My Dreams – Track by Track

Thirteen songs, relatable stories and a lot of variety define On The Back Of My Dreams. Jackson Dean is again emphasizing in his sophomore album that he is an excellent songwriter. It is simply fun – and fascinating – listening to his music. Sometimes, though, special moments are missing.

Favorite Song: Daddy Raised

 

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