Listen to Brett Eldredge’s sophomore album, ‘Illinois,’ from start to finish and you will learn a little more about the 29-year-old. The Country Music Association’s reigning New Artist of the Year recipient started recording the album a year ago and began promoting it in February. It’s compilation of love and loss mixed with the party scene gives ‘Illinois’ a flavor for everyone.
The perfect succession to his debut album, ‘Bring You Back,’ fans everywhere have begged for new music and love what they got in return. An ode to his roots, ‘Illinois’ will place listeners back in the rural country filled with dirt roads and dive bars besides the girl next door.
1.) ‘Fire’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Jon Nite.
Impression: With one of the catchier choruses on the album, ‘Fire’ tells the story of a girl who has Eldredge wrapped around her finger at an attraction level she doesn’t realize yet. The comparison to fire guides listeners to believe she is more dangerous than she leads on to. The tempo of the first track on Brett’s ‘Illinois’ album can’t be described as fast, nor slow, but is sure to get your toes tapping to the beat.
Favorite Lyrics: Take the breath right out of my chest, burn me down till there ain’t nothing left. Keep on doing what you do best, girl you’re fire, you’re fire…
2.) ‘You Can’t Stop Me’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan.
Impression: One of the feel-good party tracks on ‘Illinois,’ Eldredge teams up with Thomas Rhett to bring you their ballad on the crazy life they live and their infatuation towards it. Women, alcohol and the bright lights of whichever city they’re in that night are the inspiration behind ‘You Can’t Stop Me,’ giving listeners three minutes and twenty-four seconds of feeling the fame. The duo hits all the right high notes in the second song on the album, and is a song to expect these two perform live on the Suits and Boots Tour this fall/winter.
Favorite Lyrics: Sit back just watch you’ll see, you can try, but you can’t stop me…
3.) ‘Lose My Mind’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, Heather Morgan, Brian Burton, Thomas Callaway, Gian Franco Reverberi, and Gian Piero Reverberi.
Impression: The first single off of ‘Illinois,’ ‘Lose My Mind’ is the catchy tune you can’t get out of your head. Coupled with a fun music video full of straight jackets, concrete walls and the girl he can’t shake, Eldredge gave people a taste of what they could expect out of the new music when he released the single back in May. This ballad is a song many can relate to, with the addictive feeling of the one person that drives you crazy. The perfect prelude to his album, ‘Lose My Mind’ has a beat fit for country music radio and the fans seem to agree.
Favorite Lyrics: I knew right when I met you I would never be the same, but I let you take me over, girl, so I’m the one to blame…
4.) ‘Wanna Be That Song’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Scooter Carusoe.
Impression: Brett slows down the tempo with his fourth track, one that could make any country girl melt. The love song paints the picture of every place a man wants to be with his girl, from the bar to church and everywhere in between.
Favorite Lyrics: Wanna be those words that fill you up, pull your windows down and keeps you young, makes you believe you’re right where you belong…
5.) ‘Time Well Spent’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe, and Chris DeStefano.
Impression: The speed picks back up with this song, all about wasting time away and letting the world go on around you as you’re throwing one back. Another relatable song for many, as time seems to pass on by going through the daily routine. ‘Time Well Spent’ is the perfect song while on vacation or wishing you were somewhere else, as you roll the windows down.
Favorite Lyrics: Where I stumble is where I’ll stay, the palm tree shade makes a perfect tent and wasted time as a time well spent…
6.) ‘If You Were My Girl’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Jon Nite.
Impression: Another love song to tug at the heart strings of the deep romantics, Eldredge takes the listener through everything he would do for his girl. Nothing short of a soft, adoring ballad, the Illinois native takes a broken heart and mends it in ‘If You Were My Girl.’ The lyrics take a hands-on approach
Favorite Lyrics: You light up every street light, you stop every heart when you start that smile, but somehow you’re still lonely…
7.) ‘Illinois’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Brad Crisler, and Tom Douglas.
Impression: Title track to his latest album, ‘Illinois’ is a genuine tribute to the “heart of the Heartland,” Brett’s home state. The soft piano touch at the song’s start is a beautiful beginning to a heartfelt song and will be easily recognizable as you go through the album. Paying homage to the roots that helped shaped the young boy from Paris, Illinois, this song will make many listeners jog their own memory back to their hometowns.
Favorite Lyrics: When I get lost in the noise like a whisper I hear the voice of the boy, oh, from Illinois…
8.) ‘Just a Taste’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan.
Impression: The all-too-familiar here today, gone tomorrow love story is told through Eldredge’s eyes in ‘Just A Taste.’ The lyrics are filled with memories that loom, kisses that are lost, and promises made if there was a return. One of our favorites on the album, Brett begs for answers to the one who still left before the story was over.
Favorite Lyrics: We could just pick up where we left off and start right there, hell I don’t care…
9.) ‘Drunk on Your Love’- Written by Brett Eldredge and Ross Copperman.
Impression: This ballad touches on every aspect of being fully invested with that special someone. In comparison to alcohol, every kiss, move and touch brings a higher buzz. The song is so loving and moving, so much so that it is also the music in the wedding video of Hayley Stommel and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line.
Favorite Lyrics: One taste from your lips knocked me out just like a drug…
10.) ‘Lose It All’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Brad Crisler, and Bill Anderson.
Impression: Another one of our favorites, ‘Lose It All’ gives a checklist of everything to do wrong to lose the girl. The slow-paced, vulnerable song will have people nodding their heads in agreement with the lyrics throughout the song. With what feels like reading a diary, Eldredge’s soft voice talks about making friends with regret and thinking actions don’t have repercussions.
Favorite Lyrics: At first you have to learn how not to listen when she opens up her heart. Try your best to make it all about you, that’s the easy part…
11.) ‘Shadow’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan.
Impression: Probably Brett’s most diverse tune on ‘Illinois’ and a song that has been described as “shocking,” ‘Shadow’ is an up-tempo change in pace to what fans have come to expect. The song depicts an alter-ego that comes out as the drinks go down, something many people can relate to.
Favorite Lyrics: There’s no denying, he came uninvited…
12.) ‘Going Away For Awhile’- Written by Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan.
Impression: With a playful music introduction, Eldredge talks about watching his life fall apart and getting the chance to step back and step away from it all. In this song, he teams up with co-writer Ross Copperman to close out his second album with the last track on ‘Illinois.’
Favorite Lyrics: Don’t worry, I’m going away for awhile, but I’ll come back with a smile…
Brett and his buddy, Thomas Rhett, have teamed up for a fall tour, which include a few stops in New England. The Suits & Boots Tour, which also includes Danielle Bradbery, will head to Bangor, ME, on November 6th, Hampton, NH, on November 7th, and Kingston, RI, on November 8th. Fans are already anticipating hearing music from ‘Illinois’ live, and the concert dates are right around the corner.
You can purchase Brett’s ‘Illinois’ on iTunes here.