Known as one of the most romantic singers in country, Brett Young released his second studio album this month, following the success of his self-titled, debut album (which produced four top ten hits; ‘Sleep without You’, ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’, ‘Like I Loved You’, and ‘Mercy’). A lot has happened in the singer’s life between his first and second album. Most of Young’s debut album was inspired by the singer’s split from his fiancée (hence all the downbeat, heartfelt ballads), however, this November the two wed in California; influencing a new, fun, up tempo sophomore album.
Opening the record is a song called Ticket to L.A – the title track of the album – an ode to Young’s family roots in California and the amount of ‘ticket(s) to L.A.’ he buys to see them. The song opens with some bright guitar, and a great car-sing-along chorus. The track sets the mood for the rest of the album, brimming with catchy melodies and a more joyful sound. This track is a great example of how far Young has come – learning to experiment with his sound whilst staying true to his roots.
The next track on the record is Young’s current single – ‘Here Tonight’. Written with Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley – who Young opened for during their ‘You Look Good’ World Tour – the song continues Young’s new, pop influenced sound; strong vocals, slick electric guitar melody, mixed with a strong, driving beat chorus. The song is currently climbing the Billboard country charts, sitting at number 18. Young continues this new light and fun sound with other songs on the album; ‘Catch’, ‘1,2,3 Mississippi’, and ‘Runnin’ Away From Home’.
‘Let It Be Mine’ gives us a familiar Young ballad – the song contains the same heartfelt dedication that ‘Sleep Without You’ did – as Young sings ‘A place to crash and let your body fall tonight/If you’re lookin’ for a kiss to make it all alright/…Let it be Mine’. The song almost gives us a prequel to ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’. Track Six shows off a side of Young that we haven’t seen before; alongside some soulful bass, and glittering percussion, it’s a sad song that you’ll find yourself swaying to. Young sings ‘Yeah, you got me where you want me/ But baby, you don’t want me no more’ – titled ‘Where You Want Me’, the track was written with country songwriter/hitmaker Shane McAnally. Taking some influences from the likes of John Mayer and fellow soul country singer, Chris Stapleton, Young successfully pulls off a soulful song; his vocals are smooth and full, and proves yet again the depth of his emotional capacity as an artist.
Another song that will get you moving is ‘Used To Missin’ You’. A bitter smile of a song, it’s about owning not being over a breakup – a surprisingly untapped theme in country music. The funky opening guitar and modern production make the song vibrant and gives us all a sense of motivation to not give up on relationships. While the majority of the album sing about a sense of ‘missingness’, Young seems to stray away from writing a melancholy album, and instead sends us the message, in a time of bro-country, that it’s okay to own our emotions.
‘Change Your Name’ is a love letter to Young’s wife, Taylor Mills. While this is only one of three tracks not co-written by Young, it captures their love story perfectly. Written by Ross Copperman (hit songwriter of Brett Eldredge’s ‘Drunk on Your Love’ and Luke Bryan’s ‘Strip It Down’), Matt Jenkins (Keith Urban’s ‘Cop Car’ and Dustin Lynch’s ‘Where It’s At’), and Jon Nite (Lee Brice’s ‘Boy’ and Darius Rucker’s ‘If I Told You’), the song plays with the same soulfulness as ‘Where You Want Me’ and ‘Reason To Stay’. ‘Only thing about you that I’d change is/ I’d change your name’ – the song captures the balance and support that every healthy relationship needs, which is also explored in another track on the album called ‘The Ship And The Bottle’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU-1B_rAPRg
The highlight of the album comes from track nine. The song’s subject drifts away from Young’s usual topic of girls. Instead Young seems to have used this opportunity to produce something a little more personal; his own life story. Did I forget to mention that the song features Gavin DeGraw? Originally DeGraw wasn’t supposed to be a featured artist, only a co-writer alongside Copperman. However, how could DeGraw not sing on a track of an artist whom he has so heavily influenced? DeGraw was (and still is) one of the many Chapters of Young’s life and this song is a treat to listen to.
‘Don’t Wanna Write This Song’ is a heartbreak song with a twist. As Young sings ‘Maybe the hardest part/ Is we didn’t break this heart/ Nobody cheated or lied/ I still have to live with goodbye’, I first thought that the song was about a couple who simply lost their love, a little ‘I can’t make you love me’ feel. However, Young soon sings of true loss ’Wilted flowers in a vase/ I left a rose on your headstone/ I never quite know what to say’. Young’s first album closed with Mercy, a pleading, slow and delicate ballad dedicated to an ex and while ‘Don’t Wanna Write This Song’ also gives Young the opportunity to close his record with another fragile song, it also expresses his sensitive soul in a time of truck, and party-heavy themed country songs.
Young’s sophomore album proves again his emotional, raw depth as an artist, with production kicked up a gear, enhancing the pop elements to his music. With writers such as Copperman and DeGraw playing a hand in this project, it would be difficult for it not to be a success, however the real win of this album is its ability to play seamlessly as a whole both in theme and melodically – a true masterpiece of an album.
Editor’s Top 3 Tracks:
1. Chapters
2. 1,2,3 Mississippi
3. Where You Want Me
