Country’s newest chart dominator, Nate Smith, is back with California Gold, a 16-track journal of heartbreak and self-discovery filtered through his undeniable talent. Coming off his record-breaking third consecutive multi-week No. 1, Smith proves with his sophomore album that he’s no flash in the pan, he’s an artist unafraid to mine his own life for his songs, and the album’s depth shows he’s only getting started.

The title track, “California Gold,” embodies Smith’s connection to his roots, dropping subtle nods to his childhood in Paradise, California. Co-written with Ashley Gorley, Smith reflects on home through a mosaic of memories, like the Honey Run River and cherry-flavored cigarettes, painting a picture that’s both personal and universally relatable. For Smith, the song is a private glimpse into the life that shaped him. Smith leans into his rock influences throughout California Gold, giving the album a sound that’s equal parts 2000s alternative rock and modern country. Tracks like “Fix What You Didn’t Break” echo the anthemic hooks of Lifehouse and Goo Goo Dolls, showing Smith’s knack for mixing country storytelling with a cinematic, larger-than-life rock feel. The song explores themes of redemption and growth, pairing heartfelt lyrics with a huge chorus. It’s the kind of song that isn’t satisfied just playing in the background, it demands to be center stage.

In “Want Me Back,” Smith gets ever more personal, reflecting on how relationships can sometimes make us lose ourselves. Co-written with Gorley and a few others, Smith captures the bittersweet realization of wanting to reconnect with parts of himself he let slip away. The song strikes a balance between vulnerability and strength, showing Smith’s maturation as both a person and writer. For longtime fans, “What Alone Looks Like” is a standout, a powerhouse of a song that hits with the intensity of a stadium rock anthem. Inspired by Smith’s love of Nickelback and classic rock, it opens with a tremolo guitar that builds until it explodes, surging into an unforgettable chorus.

Perhaps the album’s emotional pinnacle, though, is “Can You Die From A Broken Heart,” a somber duet with pop-rock star Avril Lavigne. The opening line - “The flowers in my hallway died two weeks ago” - sets a mournful tone that carries through the song. Smith’s inquisitive, questioning lyrics explore the lingering pain of a broken heart, paired perfectly with Lavigne’s haunting vocals. With its echoes of rock and his signature country heart, California Gold is an album that shows both where Smith’s been and where he’s going, and he’s capturing moments, memories, and milestones along the way.