Alvin M. Keeling 
Brett Eldredge changed course with the release of his latest studio album ‘Sunday Drive’ (not including the festive 2021 collection ‘Mr. Christmas’) in 2020. Delivering his most personal collection of songs to date, Eldredge transformed his his Country into something that fits cleaner in Easy Listening alongside Harry Connick Jr. Released during the album and unable to be backed by live performances, ‘Sunday Drive’ sadly failed to reach the commercial heights of the Eldredge’s previous work, but it was undoubtedly the creative highlight of his career to date.
Two years later, his new album ‘Songs About You’ is about to arrive and Eldredge continues to push his sound and explore the soundscape he dived into with ‘Sunday Drive’. Fans frequently receive teasers for the project as Eldredge slowly unveils what they can expect from the new record. The first track unveiled was the piano ballad “Holy Water,” a raw, honest ballad that showcases Eldredge’s soulful vocals while infusing a touch of gospel. It continues that honesty and vulnerability that made “Sunday Drive” so special and it’s one of the best songs Eldredge has recorded to date.
The second track released from the disc, “Want That Back”, changed things up and moved a bit closer to earlier Country of Eldredge mid-tempo records. Over a simple acoustic melody, Eldredge takes the listener into a world of nostalgia as they reminisce about days gone by. Lyrically, it could be a sequel to “Sunday Drive,” the song, while musically it has more in common with “Wanna Be That Song” from the “Illinois” album. To keep fans guessing, Eldredge then dropped the title track, a groove-laden bluesy soulful country song that checks the name of many country legends and is by far the most commercial song on the record.
Just as fans may have started to think they knew what was in store for them with this record, Eldredge hit a curve ball with the jaw-dropping “Wait Up For Me,” a stripped-down song that features one of the best voice Eldredge has ever delivered. . Sexier than anything the singer has released before, the song is an ode to the anticipation of intimacy with a lover after being separated for the day. The last song released before the record, “I Feel Fine”, is yet another curveball that leans into a rhythmic southern rock vibe with Eldredge sitting comfortably in his lower register as he sings about battling depression and strength. not to be defeated by this.
The other seven songs on the disc live up to the expectations set by the five already available. “Songs About You” opens with the big band clapping pure joy that is “Can’t Keep Up,” an energetic version of Eldredge at its most euphoric. “What Else Ya Got” is filled with vocal riffs over a piano melody as Eldredge exposes his raw vulnerability and bares his heart for all to see. Halfway through the album, Eldredge returns to a soulful groove on “Get Out Of My House,” a song that embraces sanity and happiness rather than going through a broken relationship, while on “Home Sweet Love”, Eldredge sings to find the one after a long search.
“Where Do I Sign” picks up the pace as Eldredge sings about giving a lover the space they want while still being available when they need it. The song is a potential future single and I can see how well it does on the radio if Eldredge chooses to release it. The album ends with ‘Where The Light Meets The Sea’, a sweet, emotional ballad that is sure to bring tears to tears with its frank and raw lyrics.
‘Songs About You’ continues the high standard set by ‘Sunday Drive’ and the two albums seem to go together. Eldredge has been on an upward trajectory creatively over the past couple of years and this collection is simply stunning. With strong vocals, heartfelt lyrics and melodies that will stay with you for a long time, “Songs About You” is one of the best releases of the year so far and it just might end up being a contender for the album. the year.
List of tracks: 1. Can’t Keep Up 2. Songs About You 3. I Feel Fine 4. What Else Ya Got 5. Hideaway 6. Get Out Of My House 7. Home Sweet Love 8. Want That Back 9. Wait Up For Me 10 Where do I sign 11. Holy water 12. Where the light meets the sea Record company: Warner Music Nashville Release date: 17e June 2022 Buy ‘Songs About You’ now
