Owen Riegling In The Feeling Review
Owen Riegling’s sophomore album, In The Feeling (released via Universal Music Canada/Big Loud), arrives at a pivotal moment in the young songwriter’s career. After the runaway success of his platinum-certified “Old Dirt Roads” and his 2024 debut album Bruce Country (From The Beginning), Riegling explores where he comes from (the rural city of Mildmay, Ontario, population 1,200) and the fast-paced, transient life of a rising country star. Eyes will be on Riegling with this release, as he has become a homegrown star across Canada, picking up three CCMA Awards in the last two years - building on his 2022 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Competition victory.
Produced by Oscar Charles (Elvie Shane and MacKenzie Porter), the 12-track album captures the reality of a year spent on the road for Riegling, where he has opened for some of country music’s biggest names and had the opportunity to headline his own shows—going from thousands of faces to a few hundred, gig by gig.
Opening the release, “Phone Call From Home” offers the perspective of someone who is physically removed from their roots but mentally tethered and longing to be with loved ones. This is echoed later on by “Mailbox” (the only solo write on the project), highlighting the isolation of life on the road.
As you take in the lyrics to “Rest of My”, be ready for Riegling’s track to be added to many a wedding playlist, with people dropping to one knee at his shows. “Taillight This Town” was first released back in October 2025 as the initial insight into what we might expect from this project. As Riegling reflects on the whirlwind of the past few years, the track captures that restless urge to see what lies beyond the county line and chase new dreams.
Produced by Oscar Charles (Elvie Shane and MacKenzie Porter), the 12-track album captures the reality of a year spent on the road for Riegling, where he has opened for some of country music’s biggest names and had the opportunity to headline his own shows—going from thousands of faces to a few hundred, gig by gig.
Opening the release, “Phone Call From Home” offers the perspective of someone who is physically removed from their roots but mentally tethered and longing to be with loved ones. This is echoed later on by “Mailbox” (the only solo write on the project), highlighting the isolation of life on the road.
As you take in the lyrics to “Rest of My”, be ready for Riegling’s track to be added to many a wedding playlist, with people dropping to one knee at his shows. “Taillight This Town” was first released back in October 2025 as the initial insight into what we might expect from this project. As Riegling reflects on the whirlwind of the past few years, the track captures that restless urge to see what lies beyond the county line and chase new dreams.
“Born Again” showcases a deeper side of his artistry, leaning towards something more enduring as it navigates hardship with the people who matter most, holding onto the idea of loving them into the next life. “Going Missing” may be the perfect song to sum up how an artist truly feels during a rapid rise to the top. You are no longer an anonymous member of society, and this track looks back at simpler times while craving an escape from the social media-driven world many artists now inhabit. Although not the most lyrically complex song on the album, with the right production in a live setting, it could become a fan favourite. “Love Hate Love” is arguably the album’s most infectious moment. It explores a relationship that thrives on chaos as two opposing worlds collide—one that fans are bound to enjoy.
Elsewhere on the record, “Miles Away” turns its focus to the hollow feeling of being caught between places; “Same Blood” reflects on sibling relationships as they evolve from childhood into adulthood; “Last Thing On My Mind” presents a narrative about prioritising loved ones despite life’s demands; while the title track, “In The Feeling”, embraces both the highs and lows of the journey.
Elsewhere on the record, “Miles Away” turns its focus to the hollow feeling of being caught between places; “Same Blood” reflects on sibling relationships as they evolve from childhood into adulthood; “Last Thing On My Mind” presents a narrative about prioritising loved ones despite life’s demands; while the title track, “In The Feeling”, embraces both the highs and lows of the journey.
Closing the album, “Anything But Me” was released in the days leading up to the full record as a final teaser. It centres on self-preservation and questioning whether the sacrifices made in pursuit of a music career have been worthwhile--ultimately accepting that they have. Of the track, Riegling said, “It took me a long time to figure out where I fit in”, and that sentiment comes through clearly in lyrics many listeners will relate to. Despite being the final track, it stands out and is likely to resonate strongly in a live setting. It provides a fitting and impactful conclusion, tying together the themes explored throughout the album.
Ultimately, In The Feeling represents Riegling’s search for identity. He has stated that the album is about “figuring out who the hell I am outside of my hometown”. The theme of displacement gives the record its emotional weight, exploring the guilt of leaving loved ones, the longing to return, and the excitement of carving out a life in country music. It is refreshing to see an emerging artist take this approach so early in their career, challenging the expectations often associated with Nashville. If proof were needed that there is more to Riegling than a breakout debut hit, this is it, as he confidently steps into his next chapter and demonstrates that a Canadian country artist can stand alongside their American counterparts.
