Cory Hanson: I Love People [Album Review]

Cory Hanson
I Love People
Drag City Records [2025]

“Seventies glow, modern edge – I Love People proves restraint can hit just as hard as excess.”

Album Overview: Cory Hanson has built a career walking two paths at once — as a member of Wand and as a solo artist steadily carving out his own lane. Across his past solo records, he’s swung from stark storytelling (Pale Horse Rider) to playful experiments (Western Cum). With I Love People, his fourth solo outing, Hanson reunites with longtime collaborators Robbie Cody, Evan Backer, and Evan Burrows to create an album that feels both intimate and widescreen. It’s a record about humanity and connection, zooming in on everyday lives, collective struggles, and fleeting flashes of beauty. The production leans warm and cinematic, with touches of choir, strings, and horns. More than just a departure from Wand, I Love People lands firmly in classic singer-songwriter territory with a 70s glow, brushed with Americana and modern indie textures.

Musical Style: This album taps into the tradition of 70s soft rock and singer-songwriter craftsmanship but refuses to get stuck in nostalgia. Hanson layers acoustic strums with horns, strings, and subtle grooves, giving the songs both intimacy and a touch of grandeur. Think smooth rhythms brushed with orchestral flourishes — music that feels grounded but always ready to lift off.

Evolution of Sound: If Pale Horse Rider simmered in quiet tension and Western Cum reveled in swaggering chaos, I Love People finds Hanson settling into a steadier, more reflective place. Instead of extremes, he’s observing life’s odd patterns with a sharper, calmer eye. The arrangements are lusher and more expansive than ever, embracing widescreen production without losing his plainspoken core.

Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Harry Nilsson’s melodic ease, Randy Newman’s sharp storytelling, or Lou Reed’s deadpan cool will feel at home here. Modern parallels might include Cass McCombs or Father John Misty — songwriters who fuse folk roots with lush, adventurous arrangements.

Pivotal Tracks: “Bird on a Swing” opens with a hazy groove and choir touches, turning everyday weight into something deceptively gentle. “Lou Reed” is exactly what it sounds like — a nod to the icon, complete with orchestral heft and a saxophone motif that captures city grit. The title track, “I Love People,” brings it all together: a foot-tapping rhythm paired with Hanson’s reflections on what he treasures in those around him. Each of these songs shows a different side of his songwriting — smooth reflection, heartfelt tribute, and communal joy.

Lyrical Strength: Hanson’s lyrics often read like compressed poetry — sharp images that suggest more than they say. Whether he’s singing about exhaustion, exile, or unsung heroes, his words carry weight without leaning on excess. On I Love People, his plainspoken delivery makes space for the listener to lean in and connect, turning small details into larger truths.

Final Groove: I Love People is Hanson’s most approachable solo record yet — warm, rich, and alive with small human moments. It’s not out to shock or overwhelm, but instead to invite you in and stay awhile. By trading extremes for steady reflection, he’s proven there’s just as much power in restraint as in chaos. This is the kind of album that grows more meaningful the longer you live with it, and it hints that Hanson’s next chapter could be his most rewarding yet.

CORY HANSON LINKS
Bandcamp | Instagram | Drag City Records