John Fullbright’s latest album, The Liar, marks a shift in his songwriting approach—loosening self-imposed rules and embracing collaboration. Recorded in just four days with a roster of Oklahoma musicians, the album blends old, new, and unfinished songs, highlighting Fullbright’s newfound ease in the creative process.

Tracks like Paranoid Heart explode from folk into Petty-esque rock, while Social Skills pairs humor with vocal distress. Safe to Say stretches into a full-band crescendo, and the title track finds Fullbright playfully engaging with God, shifting from past struggles with faith to a winking request: “God, grant me whiskey.”

Reflecting on his evolution, Fullbright acknowledges the storytelling power of songwriting: “You’re the hero in your own story… but short answer: yes, I’m a liar.”