Folk/Review Track Dogs - Tracks Laid, Tracks Covered

Track Dogs are an eclectic quartet—two Irishmen, an Englishman, and an American (Garrett Wall, Dave Mooney, Howard Brown, and Robbie K. Jones)—whose name stems from New York’s subway culture. Their unique sound, blending acoustic guitar, electric bass, trumpet, cajón, and rich vocal harmonies, defies classification. If you’re new to them, explore their acclaimed albums Where to Now? (2022) and Blind Summits & Hidden Dips (2023).

In preparation for their 20th anniversary in 2026, the ever-evolving foursome Track Dogs celebrate their musical journey with the lively and poignant album "Tracks Laid, Tracks Covered." This two-part album, which combines previously released favorites with recently recorded jewels that highlight the band's genre-defying genius, is both a retrospective and a new chapter.

Track Dogs, who are well-known for combining Latino, Americana, Roots, and Folk elements to create a sound that is both incredibly personal and worldly, have created an album that celebrates their development. "Tracks Laid, Tracks Covered" compiles a live setlist-in-album form that feels personal and intentional by drawing from six previous albums. Alongside fundamental tracks that highlight the band's tight harmonies, rhythmic charm, and linguistic flair, fan favorites like "Brandy" and "Easy" finally get their turn on a full-length album.

The new material of "Tracks Laid, Tracks Covered" is when the band really shows off its inventiveness. Songs like "Ruby," "This Old Heart," and "All Of The Above" combine lyrical reflection, tenderness, and catchy beats to create a timeless yet immediate sound. Every song seems like an invitation to a backyard party that lasts long into the night, whether it's an upbeat stomp or a heartfelt ballad.

Track Dogs demonstrate once more that longevity is a sign of refinement, enthusiasm, and delight rather than stagnation. More than just an album, “Tracks Laid, Tracks Covered” serves as a musical thank-you to their fans and a reminder that the band's best years are still to come.