While mainstream country continues its strange metamorphosis, stalwarts like George Strait are still recording albums that remain rooted in traditional country’s values: fiddle, steel guitar and a tinge of western swing. Strait’s last two studio albums, 2016’s Cold Beer Conversation and 2019’s Honky Tonk Time Machine, were both riveting and resplendent but far from commercial successes. When it comes to charting singles, it appears Strait’s best days are behind him.

To further that point, the ever-popular Sirius XM channel The Highway has not played a George Strait in gosh knows how long. These days Strait can be found on Y2Kountry and Prime Country but as evidenced by his Kyle Field record-breaking concert earlier this year, he’s still an in-demand concert ticket.

And so it is that Cowboys and Dreamers, his 30th studio album dropped last Friday. As an album it’s a mixed bag. The album’s first half finds Strait channeling Jimmy Buffett on “Three Drinks Behind,” offering up his mission statement on the somewhat vanilla title track and then revisiting his 1980s sound on the saccharine valentine “To the Moon.” One of the album’s first singles “MIA Down in MIA” is a Key West-tinged ditty that just might be one of the best songs Strait has ever recorded. Similar to his 2016 single “Codigo” it has one hand in contemporary country and another hand in the trappings of the genre’s golden years.

Strait is at his best when he’s sincere and open-hearted and nowhere is that more felt than on the organ-drenched drinking song “Wish I Could Say.” He’s also at his best when he mines familiar sonic territory like on the comedic “Calling From the Car”. The story in the song is comical and the music is familiar and well-worn, like a favorite pair of jeans. Side A of Cowboys and Dreamers concludes with the timeless and ever-important “People Get Hurt Sometimes.” Whiskey-tinged and sorrowful the song is proof that decades into his career Strait is still as accessible as ever, even if modern day chart success continues to elude him.

Chris Stapleton lends his vocals to “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” and the entire thing is a hip-shaking, knee-slapping good time. Even with Stapleton’s guest vocals though the song has not gained much traction. As of this writing the song doesn’t even have 300k Spotify plays. The album’s back half has few if any missteps. The feel-good ballad “The Little Things” reminds listeners of the mundane but ever-important moments that make life worth living.

A sprite fiddle and mournful steel guitar opens the cowboy sendup “The Book” which marries faith-based lyrics with a protagonist that seems incredibly familiar and perhaps that’s intentional. Side B’s apex moment comes in the form of “Rent” a near six-minute ballad that begins with a spoken-word intro eulogizing the late songwriter Keith Gattis. Penultimate cut “Waymore’s Blues” is a Waylong Jennings cover that’s a rambling, rollicking good time. Backed by organ, a piano solo, lap steel and shimmering guitars, it might be the most fun Strait’s had on a record in years. Cowboys and Dreamers ends with “The Journey Of Your Life” a faith-based, life lesson ballad that continues Strait’s penchant for feel-good, warm-hearted recordings.

If Cold Beer Conversation and Honky Tonk Time Machine are any indication Cowboys and Dreamers will most likely not make much of a commercial dent. Strait probably won’t be nominated for any ACMS or CMA Awards but maybe that’s not what Strait is chasing after these days anyways. After all this is the same Strait who predicted the decline of his career back in 2000 with the Alan Jackson duet “Murder on Music Row.”

For country music purists (I admit I’m one) albums like Cowboys and Dreamers are a welcome and refreshing tonic to a genre whose ever-evolving landscape vacillates from nuanced to nauseating. Cowboys and Dreamers might be Strait’s last album or he might continue to surprise us all. For now let’s just cherish the fact that Strait’s still singing and still delivering a bevy of memorable material.