There is not a lot of new swamp pop material written these days, but whenever Junior Dugas writes a song, he gathers up the guys and cuts it at his friend David Duhon’s studio. Yet, the catalyst for Dugas’ second full-length release was when a friend dropped off a piano in his carport. There, seated at the 88s outdoors, Dugas struck a C chord and soulfully sang, “Give me your loving.” The tenor then instinctively hit an F chord and followed it up with “I need it bad,” and bam, a new song was being birthed, the pulsating, triplet-fueled “I’ll Be Your Man.”

Though the baritone sax-resonating title track may be Dugas’ hot number at the moment, his other three originals, “The Biggest Hurt,” “It’s Her I’m Thinking Of,” and “I Feel the Pain,” could easily have their day in the sun. From a classic swamp pop perspective, they’re that good, not retreads of previously released material but enough to stand on their own merit. Dugas’ sincerity as a vocalist draws you into whatever amorous situation the protagonist may be experiencing.

Also, among the new tunes is “That’s What’s Happening Here,” written by Dugas’ talented nephew Damon Troy, who plays piano on these tracks. Jin Records honcho Floyd Soileau suggested Dugas also record Travis Matte’s 2016 runaway hit “He Don’t Know You Like I Do,” which is only a natural fit for swamp pop, given the genre’s propensity for horns. 

The remaining material is battle-tested South Louisiana favorites, like Chuck Willis’ “What Am I Living For” and Lil’ Bob’s “I Got Loaded.” “Fannie Mae” is the most rollicking of this cover lot with Wayne Foreman’s dreamy guitar solo and Sid Janice’s swinging sax parts. With Dugas’ songwriting and adept band, the sunset of swamp pop will remain far beyond the horizon.