"Midwest Rock & Roll" is a song by American country music singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd. It was released as a single on March 1, 2024, through Hurd's independent imprint "Hurd Jamz Records and Tapes LLC", marking Hurd's first release following the dissolution of his previous record label Arista Nashville in March 2023.[1] The song later served as the title track for Hurd's second studio album of the same name that was released on March 21, 2025, via Big Machine Records.[2]
The single received positive attention from critics, who praised its emotional delivery, nostalgic storytelling, and alternative rock-oriented.[3]
Background and recording
Hurd wrote "Midwest Rock & Roll" during a transitional period following the dissolution of his long-time record label Arista Nashville in March 2023,[4] and amid personal challenges including his divorce from fellow country artist Maren Morris.[5][6]
The song reflects themes of reinvention and resilience, drawing from Hurd's Midwestern roots in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he grew up and was influenced by alternative rock and country music.[7] In interviews, Hurd described the track as a "hard luck anthem" inspired by his experiences navigating industry uncertainty and personal upheaval.[8]
"Midwest Rock & Roll" was officially released as a single on March 1, 2024 accompanied by an official music video.[9] In interviews during promotional appearances for the song Hurd described the deeply personal and nostalgic nature of the song, explaining it represented a return to his youth, commenting:[10][3]
"Nineteen-year-old Ryan loves this album… it feels like big garage band guitar riffs playing in a basement in my first band."
The single received limited radio airplay, primarily on independent country radio stations in the Midwest, and did not chart on major Billboard lists during its initial run.[11] Following Hurd signing to Big Machine Records on October 21, 2024,[12] the song was released as the title track for Hurd's sophomore studio album "Midwest Rock & Roll" album on March 21, 2025.[13]
Composition
Musically, "Midwest Rock & Roll" blends contemporary country with alternative rock elements with introspective storytelling. The arrangement centers on twangy guitar riffs and a mid-tempo rhythm, evoking influences from Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson.[14]
Lyrically, it explores themes of leaving behind a "small-town cage" for self-discovery, with choruses emphasizing perseverance.[15] The song revisits Hurd’s upbringing in Michigan, referencing long summer nights, teenage romance, and driving to Lake Michigan to watch the sunset. In a February 2025 interview with the Yorkshire Times, Hurd revealed that "Midwest Rock & Roll" was designed to establish a clearer musical identity after years spent balancing country music, pop country influences.[16]
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from music critics. Country Central rated the song "8.5/10", calling it "a statement single" and praising Hurd’s passionate delivery and rock-leaning vocal approach.[15]The Tennessean highlighted the track as a core part of Hurd’s creative reinvention, noting that it represented his most confident fusion of rock and country influences to date, and further commented on the track, saying "the imagery reflects the artist turning back the clock to be a high school senior."[3]
SLR Magazine and RTT News referenced the single prominently in coverage of its parent album rollout and described its alternative rock sound.[17][18]
Music video
An official music video, directed and edited by Brown Bear of Country Night, accompanied the single's release and premiered on YouTube on March 1, 2024, depicting Hurd in Midwestern landscapes and performance scenes.[3]
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