Thomas Rhett takes risks, does things his way on Tangled Up
It would usually be a surprise for the son of such a country pedigree as Rhett Atkins to put forth
an album that strays so far away from country, however when that son is Thomas Rhett, not only is it not a surprise, but it works. And it works well. Rhett’s sophomore album *Tangled Up* is full of risks inspired by his influences of other genres, and it shows that he knows what he wants to do and that he knows how to do it. The first track “Anthem” is, literally, the anthem of the album. The beat makes it nearly impossible to not clap along, and Rhett declares his motive right off the bat within the first two lyrics - *This is the beat that puts the fire in your feet / Gives you the license to be a little crazy*. It’s not just describing the tone of the song, but the album in general – that you will be dancing, and it could get a little crazy. Fans were able to get an early taste of the type of music *Tangled Up* would feature when the first single “Crash and Burn” was released in April. Rhett picked up right where he left off with the success of the singles from *It Goes Like This* as the catchy song scored him his fourth #1 in a row, calming any concerns that he might have had regarding the risks of his sophomore album. Rhett’s new single, “Die a Happy Man,” is the first of a few ballads on the album. The lyrics are some of the most genuine ever written, easily showing how deep his love for his wife Lauren is. To contrast, “The Day That You Stop Lookin’ Back” is about a guy promising a girl who just left an unhealthy relationship that he won’t treat her the same way: *Hey girl why you lookin' back like that/ Don't you wanna trade tears for laughs and love /That could be us tonight. And then there is the power ballad “Playing with Fire” which features a wonderful duet with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, which is reminiscent of the Aldean/Clarkson’s “Don’t You Wanna Stay” hit. “Tangled” has a very retro-disco era vibe to it – think Bee-Gees meets Michael Jackson’s “PYT.” One could say that it’s the cousin of his duet with Brett Eldredge on “You Can’t Stop Me.” “T-Shirt,” a catchy flirty track, has one of my favorite lyrics on the album, not for any other reason than the fact that he mentions one of the best rock & roll bands ever/ Next thing I know you were wearing / my T-Shirt right there / Your hair messed up like a Guns N Roses video. But while Rhett succeeds in breaking free and going on his own with this album (he co-wrote seven of the tracks), it gives opportunities for country purists to criticize the path he has taken. Few examples: “South Side.” It’s about, well, shaking your south side, but not a la Luke Bryan style. The heavy bass beat gives it more of a dance/hip-hop flavor to it. “Vacation” starts off with fast spoken-word/rap and leads into a Bruno Mars-esque chorus (everyone knows by now that Rhett admires Mars as he covers him often in concert). “I Feel Good” is a funky tune that features hip-hop artist Lunchmoney Lewis. As they say – haters gonna hate, but it’s nothing Rhett should take personally. Just as “Anthem” was a great way to start the album off, the final track is the perfect way to close. “Learned It From the Radio” talks about how music teaches life lessons and can help form a person. And after just traveling through 13 songs showing Rhett’s influences from genres of country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, disco, rock – you see and hear how songs he grew up on helped make him into the artist he is - quite the talented one. Tangled Up, released by Valory Music Company, is now available on all outlets.
