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Justin Alan Payne Delivers A Personal And Diverse Record

A very reflective album release from Justin Alan Payne delivers a soirée of different approaches that range from Americana leaning into country, contemporary, pop, folk, and plenty more, all rolled into one big record that exemplifies an artist who creates music with fewer walls built around it than whatever you may be used to.


This, as a whole, is one of my favorite aspects about the record. This album has loads of surprises around its corners; it digs pretty deep lyrically, letting out a lot of inner thought for all to soak in; it has that bit of introspection and a slight touch of vulnerability throughout its course, but it's always giving you something new to chew on.


The album is called Moonflower, and it kicks things off with a track called "Running Away from Everything", which is exactly what I mean by letting those inner thoughts out.


This is a song about how his mind runs away from everything. It's about how there are so many things that are coming at you at once, you forget to live in the moment, so when you do, it paralyzes those outside influences. Some can look at it like running away or escaping, and that's what Justin is portraying on this one.


I love the sentiment alone, simply because it's so damn relatable. He's got such a great way of articulating his lyrics so that it just feels natural and normal, like you're sitting with a friend talking to them. This track was very connective in that sense.


Some can look at it like trying to escape things like social media, news, opinions of others, and being pulled and pushed from one side to the other.


When this happens, we do forget to live for ourselves; we forget to live in the moment, and this song is a great reminder of that fact. Plus, it's done in such a light-hearted way.


I'm not taking it all too seriously, but it gives off more of a free-spirited or carefree aesthetic.


This one, in particular, feels like that blend of contemporary pop with plenty of Americana, as it's got loads of beautiful instrumentation and most of it has that southern undertone.


This track also gives you a good feel for the record in a sense. It does give you some of the staples that the entire album boasts, but having said that, there's no way you can understand the full spectrum of this album without taking in the entire thing.


"I Am Losing Control" digs even deeper into the artist's persona with super honest lyrics, along with this spacious sort of vest underbelly that feels almost cinematic.


"Deep Dark Hole" is also a very personal track but again, one that feels relatable and understandable.


This track also expresses the need to hide away from everything. Even yourself, at times.


Sounds like this one comes through very poetically, while others are a bit more straightforward.


It's all coming from some real place. It's super authentic, and he's really giving pieces of himself with his music on this record.


As I mentioned earlier, there are no walls built around this, and even though I meant it more instrumentally and musically, songwriting-wise when I said it, it also stands true lyrically.


This is clearly a record he wrote for himself, even though a lot of us can understand it.


It feels like it was even cathartic for him to write and release.


Meanwhile, sounds like "New Verse" come through with a much more colorful brightness attached to it. This one has a fuller, more pop-sensible approach, brilliant vocals that show a different kind of range than he's shown so far on the record, and dig into some of his other influences.


As you listen to the record unfold, you hear a lot of stories from a personal perspective, of course. You also start to hear that slew of influences that Justin holds close to his heart.


"I've Given Time" has a clean, crisp, acoustic soul kind of vibe to it. The guitars are excellent, but the vocals really boast passion, and for some reason it just puts you in the moment with the song.


It's not really fully stripped down or anything; it's just something that feels almost like a live performance.


The record closes with the track called "Dead in the Water", which brings us right back to the beginning of the record with a sort of classic rock-inspired Southern-toned single, laced with thick organs and distorted guitars that give the track a little bit more edge than usual.


There are no two songs alike on this album. There is a consistency. There is confluence, and songs feel like they connect with each other almost as if it were a concept record.


To me, this was an album that was written in the form of chapters of the artist's life.


There is most certainly a lot going on, such a wonderful record to soak in from start to finish.


About listening to the record, I wanted to have a chat with Justin about where it came from and what might be coming up next for him.


So, while you listen to the album, have a read through of our interview with Justin Alan Payne below.


Where did this album come from and what was it about? 


This record comes from place of personal growth and a new chapter in my life as a musician and songwriter. I love gardening and especially enjoy planting moonflowers. They are late bloomers that require patience and trusting the process before they vine and bloom in the early-Autumn. Having come off of a record project finishing the Rough Lovers self-titled album either my band, I had songs that fit this metaphor to a tee. I had seeds to plant and I gave them time to bloom, in song.


Did you record this at a bugger studio, or a home DAW?


Moonflower is as recorded with my team and some of Nashville’s finest session players at Bombshelter Studio in East Nashville.


Did you work with outside producers on this, or was it all you?

I have a solid production team, led by Jeremy Bernstein.


Are you performing live right now?


I am on a domestic solo tour, June - October 2026.


I am hearing a few different approaches here. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?


I am taking influence from Elvis Costello, Andrienne Lenker, Sturgill Simpson and Jesse Welles, these days.


What sort of things inspire you to write?


I write a lot of poetry influenced by time in the garden, as well as interactions with my contemporary songwriters and musicians in the East Nashville scene.


Now that this is out, what's next for you?


Touring these songs live on two national routes in the US. LP release party in October, once I get back to Nashville from the tour.


What would you say people can expect from this release?


A poetic, multi-genre, ride through my more vulnerable feelings and insights as an aging independent artist.


Before we go, is there anything you'd like to express to fans of the music?


We are all on our own rides through life. Try to enjoy it as much as you can. Engage with people face to face. The mainstream media and socials have become a tool for oligarchs to sow division and hate for their own nefarious gains. 99% of people want the best for everyone else, you just got to meet them halfway and in person. 


Listen to the record from front to back. It is intended as a less than 30 minute narrative listening experience. 



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