ALBUM REVIEW: KEITH URBAN: FLOW STATE

by Michael McCarthy

First of all, I don’t mind telling you that I’m not a particularly big Keith Urban fan. In fact, I’m generally not a big fan of modern country music. To my ears, much of it sounds more like country pop than actual country music, and something about that has always put me off. I much prefer old-school country artists like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. That said, I’m always willing to give an artist a chance when they venture outside of their usual territory, and that’s precisely what Urban has done with his latest album, Flow State.

Rather than delivering another collection of contemporary country tunes, Urban has made something quite unexpected: a thematic album devoted almost entirely to yacht rock. Ten of its eleven songs are covers of classic soft-rock hits from the ’70s and early ’80s, while the lone original is a collaboration with none other than yacht rock mastermind Michael McDonald. Titled “We Go Back,” it’s a wonderfully nostalgic song that sounds as though it could have been recorded during the genre’s heyday. With McDonald’s unmistakable voice adding to the proceedings, it fits perfectly alongside the classics Urban has chosen to revisit.

My favorite song on the album is his rendition of Walter Egan’s famous ballad “Magnet and Steel,” which features Little Big Town. I’ve always loved the original, and Urban’s version captures the same warmth and wistful atmosphere that made it such a memorable hit in the first place. It’s one of those songs that instantly transports me back to another time, and hearing it performed so lovingly here is a real treat.

One of the things I appreciate most about Flow State is that Urban delivers remarkably faithful interpretations of these songs. Sometimes I prefer covers where an artist puts their own distinctive stamp on the material, reinventing a song and taking it somewhere unexpected. In this case, however, I think remaining faithful to the originals is one of the album’s greatest strengths. Naturally, it still sounds like Keith Urban singing them, but it’s obvious that he has a genuine affection for this music. He doesn’t try to modernize these classics unnecessarily or transform them into country songs. Instead, he lets their timeless melodies and arrangements speak for themselves, and he sings them exceptionally well.

That approach also allows listeners like me to indulge in a little nostalgia for the days when this sort of music was all over the radio. Another particular highlight is his cover of Ambrosia’s “How Much I Feel,” which has always been one of my favorite soft-rock songs. I remember hearing it constantly on whatever radio station my parents had playing when I was a kid. Listening to Urban’s version brings back those memories, which is part of what makes this album so enjoyable for me.

Elsewhere, familiar favorites like Player’s “Baby Come Back,” Stephen Bishop’s “On and On,” and Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” are given similarly affectionate treatments. And the album concludes with a spirited rendition of Bread’s “Guitar Man,” featuring John Mayer, another accomplished guitarist whose presence makes perfect sense on a project like this.

Ultimately, what makes Flow State such a pleasure is that it never feels like an attempt to cash in on nostalgia. Instead, it comes across as a genuine celebration of a musical era that Urban clearly holds dear. These songs have endured for decades because they’re beautifully written, irresistibly melodic, and capable of transporting listeners to a happier, simpler time. Urban understands that, and wisely resists the temptation to tamper with a winning formula.

There really isn’t a bad song on this album. If you love yacht rock, Flow State is an absolute must-have. And even if you’re not ordinarily a huge Keith Urban fan, like moi, I suspect you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. Sometimes the most delightful albums are the ones you never expected to love.

FLOW STATE TRACKLIST:

1. “Steal Away” — Originally by Robbie Dupree
2. “Baby Come Back” — Originally by Player
3. “Magnet and Steel” (feat. Little Big Town) — Originally by Walter Egan
4. “Just the Two of Us” — Originally by Grover Washington Jr. featuring Bill Withers
5. “On and On” — Originally by Stephen Bishop
6. “We Go Back” (feat. Michael McDonald) — Original Keith Urban song
7. “Help Is on Its Way” — Originally by Little River Band
8. “How Much I Feel” — Originally by Ambrosia
9. “Summer Breeze” — Originally by Seals & Crofts
10. “I Just Wanna Stop” — Originally by Gino Vannelli
11. “Guitar Man” (feat. John Mayer) — Originally by Bread