Brett Eldredge delivers variety with his new album Illinois
After making quite the impression onto the country music scene with three #1 songs from his
debut album Bring You Back, Brett Eldredge follows up with his sophomore album, Illinois, which he co-produced as well as co-wrote every track. The reigning CMA New Artist of the Year delivers an album that includes a balanced mix of standard Eldredge ballads and his fun up-tempo songs – with a few going further out of the country box as he leans on his R&B influences. “Fire,” the beat driven first track of the album, sets the tone for what is to come. It’s fast and catchy, as was proven by the crowd at this year’s CMA Fest who were on their feet clapping throughout Eldredge’s performance. And the lyrics leave you, well, on fire – yes that well-known characteristic of Eldredge’s songwriting is well featured on this album (don’t worry ladies!). The album’s first single, “Lose My Mind,” was released in May and gave listeners a preview to the R&B/funky-road that Eldredge travels down a few times on the album. It’s hard not to clap along from the moment the song starts, to singing along to the catchy chorus, to belting out the Gnarls Barkley-esque “crazy” twice in verse 2 (Side-note: Gian Franco & Gian Piero Reverberi who wrote “Last Man Standing” which inspired Barkley’s “Crazy” are also credited on this song along with Eldredge, Ross Copperman and Heather Morgan). As shown by their current co-headlining tour “Suits & Boots” – Eldredge and Thomas Rhett have quite the friendship – a bromance if you will – so their duet on “You Can’t Stop Me” is no surprise. The song has a retro-70’s disco/R&B feel with a touch of Justin Timberlake. (It’s so retro that I can honestly envision that the music video would consist of Brett and Thomas roller-skating at a rink with the lights of disco balls floating around - with beautiful women and drinks as described in the song. But I digress.). It is a fun song to groove along to, but for those who are looking for the country-side of Eldredge/Rhett – you won’t find any twang in this track. Eldredge’s smooth vocals are shown off in the ballads “Wanna Be That Song,” ”If You Were My Girl” and “Lose It all.” But perhaps the best is the title track “Illinois.” A personal song for Eldredge, it talks about his beloved home state and you can sense the pride, and almost homesickness, that he has for his state. It is a wonderful homage to where he came from, and how he will never forget home no matter where he may go. If one ever wondered what Brett Eldredge would sound like as a lead singer for a rock band, “Shadow” is the answer. It is by far the most unique, unexpected song on this album. It’s heavy on the piano keys and electric guitar, plus Eldredge’s voice is synthesized, making him almost sound like Ozzy Osbourne at one point during the bridge (Pretty little angel whisper in my ear/Please just make him disappear/I don’t know if I can take no more).
Overall Illinois is a great follow up album and Eldredge fans should really enjoy it. There are enough ballads to keep those who love his melty voice happy (and who doesn’t?), while giving Eldredge a chance to experiment and have fun with some new twists to show us what else he is capable of. Illinois is available on iTunes.
