Ray Wylie Hubbard Releases New Album ‘Reel 2 Reel 4 Real’ at 79

Ray Wylie Hubbard is approaching 80, but the Texas country legend isn’t showing much interest in slowing down.

The singer-songwriter released his 20th studio album, Reel 2 Reel 4 Real, on Friday, Aug. 21. The new record arrives just a few months before Hubbard’s 80th birthday, and its raw, guitar-heavy sound is anything but subdued.

The album leans into the gritty Texas rock and country-blues style Hubbard has developed throughout his five-decade career. Described as “snarly” and “downright punchy,” the 10-track collection was recorded with an intentionally stripped-down approach.

And Hubbard isn’t treating his age as a reason to ease up.

Hubbard, who turns 80 in November, has been making music since the 1970s, when he became part of the progressive country scene in Texas alongside artists including Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Jerry Jeff Walker.

His early career included the song “Up Against the Wall, Redneck,” which became closely associated with the Texas progressive-country movement after Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band recorded their version for Viva Terlingua! in 1973.

But Hubbard’s career has continued to evolve well beyond that early reputation. His music now combines country, blues and rock with the dark humor and storytelling that have become his trademarks.

He has described his approach as “funky literature,” and that sensibility runs throughout Reel 2 Reel 4 Real.

The new album opens with “Cassette Mix Tape,” a nostalgic, autobiographical-feeling song about a teenage road trip featuring a stolen Chevy Vega and a soundtrack of Golden Earring, Neil Young, the Rolling Stones and Bob Seger.

The record also includes “A Murder of Crows,” “Look What the Cat Drug In,” “Gods Playing Poker” and “The Night.”

The New Album Features a Rock Legend

Hubbard didn’t make the album entirely on his own.

His son, Lucas Hubbard, plays guitar and co-wrote “Gods Playing Poker,” while Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also appears on the record.

Campbell’s involvement came about after he contacted Hubbard and told him that Ringo Starr had praised Hubbard’s songwriting. Campbell then invited Hubbard to his Los Angeles studio, where they recorded two songs together.

“It was a blazing experience,” Hubbard said of the session. “I’m pretty impressed with myself.”

The album was recorded partly in Austin with producer Jonathan Tyler and partly in Los Angeles with Campbell. Several tracks were recorded directly to analog tape, helping preserve the rough-edged sound Hubbard wanted.

RELATED: Michael Jackson’s Daughter Paris, 28, Just Released Her First Album in Nearly 6 Years