The Texas Gentlemen Come Roaring Back with ‘Floor It!!!’

There’s nothing like the grooves of a new record from The Texas Gentlemen to make you really feel the loss of experiencing live music in a room packed with strangers. Floor It!!! is the follow-up to their excellent 2017 release TX Jelly, and like its predecessor, feels destined for sticky, beer-soaked dancefloors. Alas, we must do without the communal celebrations of such joyous music and revel in it in our backyards, on our fire escapes, and in our living rooms. Thankfully, the Texas-based quintet known for rowdy country funk and trippy, retro guitar licks are bringing the party to us.

Though they came together in the old-school tradition of a studio band to back singer-songwriters, the Texas Gentlemen have harnessed their undeniable chemistry to create their own signature sound that needs no outside accompaniment. Floor It!!! bridges the gap between influences of the past and a fresh, original sound, all while capturing the boisterous energy of their live studio recording. A collection of blissfully chaotic sounds that include quaking organ and jumpy keys, big band brass and yes, plenty of guitars, Floor It!!! takes you on a mind-bending journey from the funk blast “Bare Maximum” to the string-lined McCartney-esque pop of “Hard Rd.” to the swaggering twang of the title track. This time around, we’re treated to more of the vocal stylings of Nik Lee and Daniel Creamer, which shine especially on the spare harmonies of “Sing Me to Sleep,” and the woozy ’70s throwbacks “Train to Avesta” and “Ain’t Nothin’ New.”

And because The Texas Gentlemen have always operated from a place of playfulness, the vinyl edition of Floor It!!! comes with their very own board game in bright, vivid hues. It is essentially a perfect companion for being stuck inside with an album that makes you want to cut loose and have a little fun.