Dylan doesn’t miss.
Thanks to the names like Zach Bryan and Sam Barber spearheading the rise of country-folk over the past few years, the subgenre has been one of the hottest styles as of late. Of course, there are plenty of artists making waves throughout it with an acoustic-first approach, such as Waylon Wyatt, Evan Honer and more. With that being said, however, for my money, no one is quite doing it like Dylan Gossett right now.
After scoring some major buzz in 2024 thanks to the continued success of his debut EP, No Better Time, being featured on the star-studded Twisters Soundtrack and receiving even more praise upon the release of second EP, Songs in the Gravel, Gossett put the country community on notice last year with the release of his long-awaited debut album, Westward, in July, which quickly flew up the rankings of mine and many other alternative country fans’ Top Albums of 2025 lists.
It’s safe to say that Gossett is quickly becoming one of the biggest stars in the country-folk scene in 2026, and it’s clear that he’s showing no signs of slowing down. In addition to scoring an opening spot on George Strait’s second night at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, along with Zach Top, the “Beneath Oak Trees” singer was also booked to open shows for Mumford & Sons on their Prizefighter Tour with Sierra Ferrell, Marcus King and others and even kicked off a joint-headlining tour with none other than Charles Wesley Godwin.
After announcing it back in August, Gossett is capping off a huge year with the release of his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Ramblin, which is out everywhere today.
Immediately upon your first listen to Ramblin’, it feels as if you’re transported back to Gossett’s hometown of Austin, Texas. Of course, this was nothing short of an intentional move from the 27-year-old singer/songwriter. While last year’s Westward, evoked a sense of movement and further explored finding himself far away from home as he continues to pave his way to stardom in the genre, the “Coal” singer views Ramblin’ as a “homecoming” of sorts.
“Ramblin’ “feels like a homecoming. Where Westward is all about this change of life I went through and the craziness of touring around the world and life flipping upside down, Ramblin’ is about coming back home and having real relationships when I was off the road. Relationships with friends, with significant others, with family, with faith. I’m grounding myself in this music.”
No song displays this concept better than the third track, “Headed Back To Austin.” Longing for his hometown, he packs the track full of imagery from his home state and city. From references to Burnet Road, which runs just outside of the heart of the city, to other roadways such as Highway 29 and Rae Ann Drive, Gossett makes you feel like you’re on the drive with him as he heads back to his home.
The incredibly imagery-heavy verse transition to a simple yet powerful chorus that sees Gossett wrestling with some undisclosed inner turmoil. And to him, the best cure for that is to head back to Austin, even if it’s simply in his mind.
“What do you believe in?
Cause I’ve been having trouble sleepin’
The only thing I’m needing is somewhere I can’t find
So I’m heading back to Austin, when I close my eyes”
That concept is carried over arguably more powerfully when it comes to the tracks centering on his aforementioned relationships back home in Austin. Songs like “Snow Melt,” “Just Fine” and “The Old Me” all see Gossett grappling with both himself and his loved ones — recognizing that he’s lost valuable time with those back home and hoping he’s still the man they knew before.
No lyric displays this better than “The Old Me’s” chorus, where he
“So walk me down slowly
Don’t tell me, just show me what you like
And when you get to know me
Well, I hope it’s the old me that you find”
Like any great album, however, Gossett balances these weighty, introspective tracks with some incredibly fun, high-energy tracks packed to the brim with everything that you’d want to hear from a folk-country album, complete with heavy inclusion of banjo, fiddle and harmonica throughout.
The album’s opener, “Loving You Like That,” is arguably the best example of this. Packing the song with a heavy dose of fiddle, banjo and some stellar harmonies (which are found throughout Ramblin’), Gossett delivers a knock-out punch that truly sets the stage for this killer project.
“Won’t you tend to the fire when the flame is burning out?
‘Cause I’ve been giving you the light that you never had
And am I holding on to hope that I shouldn’t have?
‘Cause I’ve been giving you the light that you never had
Loving you like that”
Overall, Ramblin’ is yet another thoroughly impressive outing from the budding country-folk star. As Gossett continues to grow as an artist, the one thing that has become more than apparent — both as a songwriter and producer — is his knack for creating songs that are equally as easy on the ears as they are impressive from a songwriting perspective.
While the production isn’t anything technically brilliant, each and every song feels incredibly lived-in and, most importantly, authentic. As the country-folk scene continues to grow seemingly by the day, it’s clear that Gossett is well on his way to being one of its biggest acts, and Ramblin’ cements the fact that he’ll be around for a long time.
“Loving You Like That”
“Headed Back To Austin”
“The Old Me”
Dylan Gossett Tour Dates
Sept 26 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle ^
Sept 29 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 ^
Oct 1 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater ^
Oct 2 – Asheville, NC – Hellbender ^
Oct 3 – Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall *RESCHEDULED DATE
Oct 16 – College Station, TX – Farmer’s Fest
Oct 24 – Waco, TX – Silobration
Oct 27 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
Oct 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie ^
Nov 6 – Robinsonville, MS – Bluesville at Horseshoe Tunica
Nov 20-22 – St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Country Fest
Nov 21 – Apopka, FL – Apopka Amphitheater *
Dec 3 – Perth, AUS – ICF Outdoor
Dec 5 – Brisbane, AUS – Fortitude Music Hall
Dec 6 – Sydney, AUS – Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Dec 8 – Melbourne, AUS – Festival Hall
Dec 11 – Auckland, NZ – Town Hall
Dec 12 – North Canterbury, NZ – Waipara Winehouse
2027
Feb 15 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg +
Feb 16 – Brussels, BE – La Madeleine +
Feb 18 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton +
Feb 19 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse +
Feb 21 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy Birmingham +
Feb 23 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow +
Feb 24 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow +
Feb 27 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena +
^ with Charles Wesley Godwin
~ with The Red Clay Strays
* with Buffalo Traffic Jam and The Jack Wharff Band
+ with Noah Rinker
