KORY MONTGOMERY, How Many People Does It Take?

Some musicians play the blues; others like Kory Montgomery seem to have absorbed its hard-earned wisdom, along with the restless spirit of funk, the earthy grit of rock and the improvisational freedom of jazz. On How Many People Does It Take?, the Arkansas-bred, Colorado-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter’s first full-length release in a decade, he transforms years of personal experiences, musical discoveries and hard-won lessons into a nine-song collection that feels simultaneously road-weathered, adventurous and deeply human.

A richly textured, slow-burning groove establishes the mood of “Dyin’ Breed,” where Montgomery’s husky, conversational vocals explore the weariness and uncertainty of life as a working musician. Crunchy electric guitar, understated keyboard ambience and gorgeous backing harmonies lend this plainspoken lament an affecting intimacy. His lived-in delivery makes the struggle palpable while revealing the stubborn hope that keeps him going.

The title track takes a more playful, swaggering approach, building around a quirky guitar riff, punchy horn accents and bluesy organ flourishes. With its infectious funk, brassy punctuation and crackling guitar solo, “How Many People” evokes classic Chicago blues-rock while showcasing Montgomery’s knack for balancing instrumental muscle with sly vocal personality. On “Delta Glare,” meanwhile, swampy guitar figures, simmering percussion and lush female harmonies conjure a seductive Southern atmosphere, punctuated by bluesy keyboard excursions and psychedelic touches.

Montgomery’s willingness to stretch beyond conventional roots-rock structures becomes especially compelling on “Settle In.” Sparse, swirling guitar motifs and eerie electronic textures frame his reflections on belonging, hardship and simply being fortunate enough to remain standing. “Try” answers that introspection with a muscular, slow burning blues-rock ballad, its soaring chorus and scorching guitar work amplifying a message of perseverance. The gritty soul-rocker “Humanity” pushes further into hypnotic, industrial-edged grooves, distorted vocals and explosive guitar passages, turning a meditation on modern life’s pressures into an impassioned plea for human connection.

A deeper tenderness surfaces on “Blush,” which begins with gently rolling acoustic guitar before expanding into a more impassioned arrangement of bluesy keyboards, soulful vocal flourishes and fiery electric guitar. “Name Song” explores the mysterious spark of inspiration through a buoyant rhythmic pulse and an increasingly expansive, melodic chorus. On “NeNe,” Montgomery closes with a more personal expression of affection, pairing a hypnotic, swamp-tinged guitar groove with vulnerable vocals and elegant piano touches.

True to the album’s title and concept, Montgomery’s expansive ensemble, featuring musicians including trumpet player Eric “Benny” Bloom, saxophonist Nate Miller and guitarist Laur Joamets, brings remarkable color, spontaneity and freewheeling energy to Montgomery’s vision. As he explains, working with such accomplished collaborators helped him overcome his tendency to overthink decisions and trust the collective creative process.

Ultimately, How Many People Does It Take? celebrates the connections that make music meaningful: the chemistry among musicians, the interplay of past and present, and the way a songwriter’s experiences can resonate with a listener’s own life. Montgomery hopes someone might even be inspired to record their own ideas. After hearing this adventurous, genre-fluid collection, that seems a fitting final measure of its success.