The Red Clay Strays - 'People Hatin''

The Red Clay Strays don’t waste time getting to the point with their latest single, People Hatin.

From the moment the first notes hit, that irresistible groove is unmistakably the Red Clay Strays - gritty and soulful.

Then comes the smokey texture of lead singer Brandon Coleman’s voice, sliding in with quiet conviction.

It lures you right back to where the band left off with Moment of Truth.

People Hatin’ continues the beloved blend of country heart and rock ‘n’ roll edge that fans have come to love. 

The chorus leans heavily on repetition, by circling back again and again to the phrase “people hatin’,” the band turns it into a kind of mantra - worn-out, weary, and emotionally loaded. Each time it comes around, it carries just a little more weight, Rather than trying to dress the message up in metaphor, the Red Clay Strays keep it stark and unadorned. It's honest.

Musically, the band keeps things tight and minimal, allowing the groove to do most of the talking through a steady pulse.

People Hatin’ is a slow burn track about a society of hatred and animosity - it’s almost a plea for people to listen and be kinder to one another. It’s a powerful call to action, as the lyrics declare, “it is time to start to love the ones we hate.”

The band isn’t yelling above the noise, instead they have taken a step back, slowed down, and delivered a song that feels more like a conversation than a confrontation.

Words by Hollie Carr