Thirteen years after releasing his first album, titled ‘Austin,’ country megastar Blake Shelton is preparing to release his ninth album, titled ‘Bringing Back the Sunshine.’ The new album comes with high expectations after Blake’s last album ‘Based on a True Story,’ won multiple awards and produced five number one hits on the US Country Airplay Charts. New England Country Music was given an advanced listen of ‘Bringing Back the Sunshine,’ and needless to say, we were impressed. Check out what we think of the album as a whole and each of the songs off the new album.
1.) ‘Bringing Back the Sunshine’ – Written by Jess Leary and Anthony Smith.
Impression: The album is titled off the first track on the album and the song starts with an almost 80s rock sound. It’s upbeat and loud. Blake comes out of the gates strong with ‘Bringing Back the Sunshine.’ Blake will have crowds rocking across the country with this jam.
Favorite Lyric: Yesterday’s all forgotten. And today we start rockin’ somewhere underneath the rainbow…
2.) ‘Neon Light’ – Written by Andrew Dorff, Mark Irwin, and Josh Kear.
Impression: ‘Neon Light’ has been out for six weeks or so and it has been a hit ever since. The first single off the new album has been climbing up the charts and has recently moved into the top ten. There’s not much else to say about the breakup anthem. I love the song and so does the rest of the country world.
Favorite Lyric: I’ll take a shot of I don’t care what you’re doin’ now. Chase that one down with a cold screw you. When that’s done, I just might wash it done with a pitcher of someone new…
3.) ‘Lonely Tonight’ (featuring Ashley Monroe) – Written by Brent Anderson and Ryan Hurd.
Impression: How many of y’all have gotten out of a relationship and called that person because you were lonely, not thinking that they would pick up the phone, and they do? I have. And that’s what this song is about. You don’t necessarily want to get back together, but the loneliness is brutal and maybe want to see what they are doing or to see if they are out. It’s a great song that is relatable and feature Ashley Monroe who is part of the Pistol Annies- a group that also features Miranda Lambert.
Favorite Lyric: When the sun comes up, we can both move on. But we don’t have to be lonely tonight…
4.) ‘Gonna’ – Written by Luke Laird and Craig Wiseman.
Impression: ‘Gonna’ is one the most fun and upbeat tracks on this album with a strong beat, great vocals and even some fun background singing on the chorus which I absolutely love. In the song, the subject is talking about what he is ‘gonna’ do for a woman and it shows a story from picking her up on a date to putting a ring on her finger.
Favorite Lyric: We can bump it on the boulevard or kick it in the country. Me and you, you and me, money back guarantee…
5.) ‘A Girl’ – Written by Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, and Abe Stoklasa.
Impression: It’s a cute love song about wanting only one thing- a girl. The things a guy thinks and the things a guy does, when it comes to a girl.
Favorite Lyric: How to lean back, fake a yawn, stretch you arm ‘round her shoulder…
6.) ‘Sangria’ – Written by JT Harding, Josh Osborne, and Trevor Rosen.
Impression: ‘Sangria’ is a mid-tempo ballad that truly feature Blake’s strong vocals and range and describes a woman whose lips taste like sangria.
Favorite Lyric: We’re buzzin’ like that “no vacancy” sign out front. Your skin is beggin’ to be kiss by a little more than the sun…
7.) ‘Buzzin’’ (featuring RaeLynn) – Written by Craig Wiseman and Kendell Marvel.
Impression: Blake brings on The Voice contestant and member of Team Blake, RaeLynn, for this track. It’s a fun song about working hard all the time but now working on a buzz. Very Blake and very fun with a lot of twang.
Favorite Lyric: Gonna probably take all night and I’ll be right here. Chillin’ like a villain on my redwood deck…
8.) ‘Just South of Heaven’ – Written by Craig Wiseman and Derek George.
Impression: It’s another well-written song with some great lyrics about a summer love. We all have had them, we know how it goes. Everything from where he is to the girl he is with is perfect.
Favorite Lyric: Even now when I close my eyes, I see her silhouette dance on the river. The way we spent those endless nights. That’s the way I could spend forever.
9.) ‘I Need My Girl’ – Written by Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, and Ben Hayslip.
Impression: It’s a good ole love song about all he needs is his girl. Even though Blake didn’t write the song, I bet when he chose to cut this song, he was thinking of his superstar wife, Miranda Lambert. The song is beautifully written and Blake is the perfect artist for this song with his vocals and sound.
Favorite Lyric: I need you 90 miles an hour down the interstate. Headlights shinin’ in the driveway…
10.) ‘Good Country Song’ – Written by Jessi Alexander, Tommy James, and Matt Jenkins.
Impression: ‘Good Country Song’ is a good wholesome song that talks about everything good in country music. Talks about all the emotions it evokes, what it makes you want to do. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the album.
Favorite Lyric: While hip-hop, rap, and rock were cool, I was in my basement gettin’ schooled on George and Keith and Vern and Alabama…
11.) ‘Anyone Else’ – Written by Luke Laird, Barry Dean, and Natalie Hemby.
Impression: ‘Anyone Else’ is a powerful and moving song about someone being selfish and professionally jealous and unable to be happy for anyone else. The songs powerful lyrics are set to a very classic and traditional country music sound. It’s a song that will be relatable and should be a popular song because of that.
Favorite Lyric: And I can’t tell, are you ever sincere. Did they treat you like this when you showed up here…
12.) ‘Just Getting Started’ – Written by Buddy Owens, Jenee Fleenor, and Phil O’Donnell.
Impression: Blake finishes his album started with a new rocking hit titled ‘Just Getting Started.’ The song is all about the late night crowd and having a great time. I love the way Blake ends the album with this song as it definitely portrays his personality, ending the album with a good time just like how Blake probably ends his days. This should be a big hit for Blake.
Favorite Lyric: We’re the all-night owls and neon lighters. Liquored up lovers and barroom fighters…
My take: it’s an incredible album that screams Blake Shelton. It really speaks to who Blake Shelton is. Not just because there are songs about drinking and having a good time but because there are also some emotional songs, to which we can link to his love for his wife, Miranda Lambert. Blake’s last album ‘Based on a True Story’ was certified platinum by the RIAA and with a number of incredible songs on this album, I see no problem in Blake securing himself another platinum album in addition to more Album of the Year awards from the various award shows.