We're Only Human (album)
| We’re Only Human | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 8, 2025 | |||
| Studio | Finishing School, Austin, TX | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 41:45 | |||
| Label | 87 Records/Thirty Tigers | |||
| Hayes Carll chronology | ||||
| ||||
We’re Only Human is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Hayes Carll. It was released on August 8, 2025, through 87 Records/Thirty Tigers.[1][2][3]
Recording
Recording of We’re Only Human took place at Finishing School, a studio in Austin, Texas, originally owned by bassist George Reiff and later expanded by Gordy Quist following Reiff’s passing. Sessions began immediately after Patty Griffin completed work on her Crown of Roses album.[4] Most of the album was recorded live, with exceptions for horns and pedal steel parts.[5] David Jimenez, who happened to be at the studio to pick up an instrument, was invited to perform the solo on “May I Never.”[6]
Carll often rewrote parts up until the start of each take. He recorded his first ever guitar solo on the track “High,” where his laughter after missing the final note is audible.[7] The album was engineered and mixed by Jim Vollentine, who has worked with artists including Spoon, Patty Griffin, White Denim, Trail of Dead, Band of Heathens, Heartless Bastards, and Old 97’s.[8]
Release
The track “Progress Of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)" was included in The Indy Review: New Music Friday on April 25, 2025.[9] The title track “We're Only Human” was released as the lead single for the album on July 17, 2025.[10][11] The full length album We're Only Human was released on CD and vinyl on August 8, 2025, as the follow up to 2021’s critically acclaimed You Get It All.[12][13][14]
A music video for "Good People (Thank Me)" was released on Aug 8, 2025.[15]
The album release was followed by a tour of the same name later in the year.[16][17]
Critical reception
We’re Only Human received widespread acclaim from music critics.[18] NPR Music praised the album’s mix of humor and insight, calling it "full of rollicking and commentary-packed songs about the state of humanity in the modern world," and comparing Carll to songwriting greats like Lyle Lovett and Randy Newman.[19][20]
Magnet Magazine highlighted its emotional depth, calling it Carll’s "most vulnerable and transparent to date," and "his best work."[21] Holler described the record as "one of modern Americana’s genuine masterpieces."[22] Country Standard Time called it "Carll’s most fully realized album to date," while Spectrum Culture noted the album "invites comparison—to Prine, to Dylan, to Isbell, to McMurtry—but Carll resists imitation," describing him as "flawed, funny, and deeply compassionate."[23]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "We're Only Human" | 5:02 |
| 2. | "Stay Here Awhile" | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)" | 4:05 |
| 4. | "High" | 4:34 |
| 5. | "One Day" | 4:02 |
| 6. | "What I Will Be" | 3:18 |
| 7. | "Good People (Thank Me)" | 3:43 |
| 8. | "I Got Away With It" | 5:11 |
| 9. | "Making Amends" | 3:04 |
| 10. | "May I Never" | 4:49 |
Personnel
- Hayes Carll – primary artist, producer, vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar
- Gordy Quist – producer, engineer, guitars, vocals, background vocals, baritone guitar
- Jim Vollentine – mixing, engineer
- Chris Longwood – mastering
- Courtney Marie Andrews – album paintings
- Jeff Chenault – design
- Chris Tetzeli, David Bason, Callen Backs – management
- Brian Wright – guitars
- Jared Reynolds – bass, background vocals
- Mike Meadows – drums, percussion
- Trevor Nealon – keyboards
- Geoff Queen – pedal steel
- Noah Jeffries – mandolin, fiddle
- Sterling Steffen – clarinet, flute
- Wyatt Corder – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Paul Deemer – trombone
- Kelley Mickwee – background vocals
- Matt Tedder – guitars
- Aaron Raitiere – background vocals
- Ed Jurdi – vocals
- Shovels & Rope – vocals[24]
- Darrell Scott – vocals[25]
- Nicole Atkins – vocals[26]
- Ray Wylie Hubbard – vocals[27]
- David Jimenez – dobro
References
- ^ Josh Crutchmer (August 7, 2025). "Hayes Carll Finally Dispenses With His Cynicism, But Says He 'Can Still Be Pissed Off'". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Craig Havighurst (August 21, 2025). "Hayes Carll Takes Stock of Being Human on His Tenth Album" (web). WMOT 89.5. WMOT. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ Tom Skjeklesæther (15 August 2025). "Bare et menneske ("Just a human")". Klassekampen. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ Finishing School (2025-08-10). "Instagram post by Finishing School studio confirming recording of Patty Griffin album". Instagram. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ David McPherson (August 11, 2025). "On 'We're Only Human, Hayes Carll Offers an Honest and Authentic Reflection of Himself and the World" (PDF). No Depression. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Clayton Edwards (August 15, 2025). "Hayes Carll Discusses the Journey of Self‑Improvement He Embarked on While Writing Songs for His New Album 'We're Only Human' (Exclusive)". American Songwriter. Savage Ventures. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Val Hoeppner. "Wired In with Hayes Carll – Interview/Performance" (video). WMOT Live Sessions (in partnership with NPR). WMOT 89.5. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ Andrew Gulden (August 6, 2025). "Review: Hayes Carll "We're Only Human"". Americana Highways. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Bo Liebman (April 25, 2025). "New Music Friday: April 25, 2025". The Indy Review. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Hayes Carll Management (July 11, 2025). "Listen to the new single, 'We're Only Human' now". Hayes Carll Official Website. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Richard Bolwell (July 11, 2025). "Hayes Carll Releases Pensive New Single 'We're Only Human'". MNPR Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Pip Ellwood-Hughes (July 17, 2025). "Hayes Carll to release new album "We're Only Human" in August". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ CBS News (Saturday Sessions) (August 2025). "Saturday Sessions: Hayes Carll performs "We're Only Human"" (Video). CBS News Saturday Sessions. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Jerry Holthouse (August 8, 2025). "WATCH: Hayes Carll's "Good People (Thank Me)"". Nashville.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Hayes Carll - Good People (Thank Me) [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Hayes Carll. August 8, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
- ^ Glide Staff (August 10, 2025). "Hayes Carll Announces New LP 'We're Only Human,' Shares Fall Tour Dates". Glide Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Scott Bernstein (April 24, 2025). "Hayes Carll Announces Fall Tour In Support Of New Album 'We're Only Human'". JamBase. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Tormod Reiersen (August 10, 2025). "Mer enn solid fra den store låtskriveren Hayes Carll". Gubberock. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ All Eyes Media (August 21, 2025). "Grammy-Nominated Artist Hayes Carll Set for Debut Appearance on CBS Saturday Morning This Weekend Following Release of Acclaimed New Album We're Only Human". All Eyes Media. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Bob Fish (August 8, 2025). "Album – Hayes Carll – We're Only Human". For Folk's Sake. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Hobart Rowland (August 18, 2025). "Five Questions With Hayes Carll". Magnet Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Jof Owen (August 7, 2025). "Hayes Carll Premieres "Good People (Thank Me)" Ahead of His New Album We're Only Human". Holler. Holler Country. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Jim Hynes. "We're Only Human". Country Standard Time. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Folk Alley Staff (August 6, 2025). "Album Review: Hayes Carll, 'We're Only Human'". Folk Alley. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ MAGNET Staff (August 18, 2025). "Five Questions With Hayes Carll". Magnet Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ John Moore (August 6, 2025). "Hayes Carll Turns Inward With Clever and Charming Songcraft on 'We're Only Human' (ALBUM REVIEW)". Glide Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Patrik Forshage (August 12, 2025). "Hayes Carll – We're Only Human". Fokus Musik. Retrieved August 25, 2025.