On Friday, May 27th, Dierks Bentley released his eighth studio album, titled ‘Black.’ The album follows up his 2014 ‘Riser‘ album that reached Number One on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and this latest project is the next step in Dierks Bentley’s story as he has become one of the biggest names in country music today. Check out our review of the album below!
1.) ‘Black’ – Written by Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman, and Ashley Gorley.
Impression: The title track is a sexy love song that features some incredible beats and sultry lyrics. Oh, and Black just happens to be his wife’s maiden name. Coincidence? We think not! You can really hear the passion in Dierks’ voice at different moments throughout the track. We can’t wait to see him perform ‘Black’ live!
Favorite Lyrics: Just keep doing that, that thing your doing there, brush me with your hair, I swear, I don’t know how long that I can last…
2.) ‘Pick Up’ – Written by Andrew Dorff, Jaren Johnston, and Jimmy Robbins.
Impression: When you first see the name of the song, you think of a truck- it’s just has to be the required truck song on a country album, right? Nope! Not even close. While there is a pick up truck reference in the lyrics, it is actually about getting back with an ex. They want them to pick up the phone, pick up some wine, and pick up where they left off. The lyrics are masterful but that’s not surprising when you look at the names of the songwriters. We absolutely love ‘Pick Up’ and it one of our favorites on the album! Look out for this one on country radio in the future!
Favorite Lyrics: Won’t you pick up the phone, I can pick up some wine, I can pick you up in my pick-up truck, And we can pick up right where we left off…
3.) ‘I’ll Be The Moon’ (featuring Maren Morris) – Written by Matt Dragstrem, Ryan Hurd, and Heather Morgan.
Impression: Dierks brought on rising star, Maren Morris, for this dark song about infidelity. In the song, the narrator is the moon- the light on her phone in the dark, the man she sees only at night time; while her main guy is the sun. The moon in this song doesn’t want to be what he is, but he will if that is all he can get from her. Together Maren’s and Dierks’ voice are incredible and makes for a fantastic duet which makes us wish that she was on tour with Dierks this summer!
Favorite Lyrics: I don’t wanna be a liar; I don’t wanna be a fool. I don’t wanna be a secret but I will if you want me to. You can leave me in the dark if that’s all I get from you. He can be the sun, I’ll be the moon…
4.) ‘What The Hell Did I Say’ – Written by Ross Cooperman, Josh Kear, and Chris Tompkins.
Impression: Ever drunk dial someone in the middle of the night and not realize what you said the next morning? Chances are you have. This track describes exactly that and makes it a fun and relatable song that Dierks’ fans will love. The chorus pack a punch that will have fans singing along with the repetition and the song features some great guitar licks as well.
Favorite Lyrics: What the hell did I say when I called last night. Dripping loads of whiskey honey in that message that she liked…
5.) ‘Somewhere On A Beach’ – Written by Michael Tyler, Jaron Boyer, Alexander Palmer, Dave Kuncio, and Josh Mirenda.
Impression: ‘Somewhere On A Beach’ was the first single released off the album and it soared to the top of both the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay Charts. The track has already been certified GOLD by the RIAA with over 500,000 units sold since it’s release in January. The song could be the sequel to Dierks’ previous smash-hit ‘Drunk On A Plane,’ where the groom was off on his honeymoon by himself after the bride left him at the altar. And in ‘Somewhere On A Beach,’ we now have a guy who is talking to his ex while she is looking for him but he’s nowhere to be found as he’s ‘Somewhere On A Beach’ with someone new. We have loved the infectious song, especially the vengeful chorus, since the day it came out and we expect this to be certified Platinum in the future.
Favorite Lyrics: Got a new girl, she got it going on. We drink all day, and party all night. I’m way too gone to have you on my mind. She got a body and she’s naughty, and she got me like you ain’t ever got me…
6.) ‘Freedom’ – Written by Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman, and Ashley Gorley.
Impression: There so many forms of freedom in our world and they are different for all walks of life. This song celebrates just that- from quitting your job to getting out of school for spring break or that feeling we get at our favorite concerts. ‘Freedom’ has a very anthemic feel to it and we love it. It has a fun feel but at the same time, it is full of meaning and will really invoke some good memories for Dierks’ fanbase.
Favorite Lyrics: It’s a pocketful of foldin’ cash. It’s tellin’ that boss he can kiss your ass…
7.) ‘Why Do I Feel’ – Written by Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman, and Dan Wilson.
Impression: Many of us have done it- ruin a good relationship for one reason or another. In the song, the subject appears to be in a good relationship but even so, it’s time for him to let it go. Maybe it’s fear, maybe it’s refusal to commit. Whatever it is, it gets in the way of a good relationship. The song is on the darker end of the album from both a sound and lyric perspective.
Favorite Lyrics: Lost in your body here in the dark. Your fingers, my skin, a match and a spark…
8.) ‘Roses And A Time Machine’ – Written by Luke Dick and Adam James.
Impression: Dierks brings an almost Bayou-feel to this song about wanting what he needs to get his girl back… rose and a time machine- hence the title. The sound of the song reminds us of his 2010 hit, ‘Up On the Ridge,’ only with a slower tempo.
Favorite Lyrics: Now I’m on Craigslist, looking for Deloreans, and brushing up on my education…
9.) ‘All The Way to Me’ – Written by Dierks Bentley, Luke Dick and Scooter Carusoe.
Impression: ‘All The Way To Me’ ended up being one of our favorite tracks on the record as this song compliments Dierks’ vocal ability perfectly. We love how the songs builds with each verse and how the beat really picks up after the first chorus.
Favorite Lyrics: Somethin’ ‘bout me and her and how our love, turned into brown eyes looking up. The sound of hardwood floors on little feet…
10.) ‘Different for Girls’ (featuring Elle King) – Written by J.T. Harding and Shane McAnally.
Impression: Dierks brought on another strong female voice for this track but he stepped outside of the country boundaries and recruited Elle King, who has more of a pop fanbase with some crossover into the Soul and Blues world as well. And their voices work SO well together in ‘Different For Girls’ – so much so that Dierks chose this track as the second single off of the album. The lyrics are phenomenal but that’s no surprise considering the uber-talented Shane McAnally co-wrote the song. The song describes the difference for girls when it comes to a breakup- while a guy may be able to move on quick and do certain things to try to get over it, it’s not so easy for girls. It’s no wonder why Dierks chose ‘Different for Girls’ as the second single- it is an awesome song!
Favorite Lyrics: A guy gets drunk with his friends and he might hook up. Fast-forward through the pain push ‘em back when the tears come up…
11.) ‘Mardi Gras’ (featuring Trombone Shorty) – Written by Dierks Bentley, Natalie Hemby and Steve Moakler.
Impression: Steve Moakler co-wrote Dierks’ previous hit, ‘Riser,’ so we’re not shocked that Dierks teamed up with Moakler to co-write this song, along with Natalie Hemby, who may be best known for her work with Miranda Lambert (‘White Liar,’ ‘Only Prettier,’ ‘Automatic’) and Little Big Town (‘Pontoon,’ ‘Tornado’). With this trio of songwriters, the bar was set high but the song lived up to the expectations with another song full of Bayou and Blues. Dierks even brought on Trombone Shorty to further enhance the sound and feeling of this song which gives it this really cool vibe that we can’t ever recall hearing in a country album. In the song, a woman is out on the same level as Mardi Gras- all fun and games during the night and the next morning, it’s all over. ‘Mardi Gras’ is a fun song with an addictive sound and chorus that will have you singing along the whole time. Watch out for this track as the uniqueness of it could differentiate it between other country songs and really help it climb the charts.
Favorite Lyrics: She took me for a ride, hit a new high. Gold confetti in her green eyes…
12.) ‘Light It Up’ – Written by Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman, and Jessi Alexander.
Impression: ‘Light It Up’ is a really beautiful song that we imagine Dierks wrote for his wife. In the song, she’s the light in his life, especially during the darkest times. It’s the epitome of a love song that has a strong, anthemic feel to it.
Favorite Lyrics: Shine some faith on my darkest places, like a rising sun, fill my heart with a million amazing graces…
13.) ‘Can’t Be Replaced’ – Written by Dierks Bentley, Luke Laird, and Hillary Lindsey.
Impression: Dierks closes out ‘Black‘ with a track that is all about the things in life that can’t be replaced- things full of sentimental meaning (think ‘I Hold On’). But what got us the most was the reference to Jake during the final verse. You may be asking, who is Jake? Jake is Bentley’s dog who is 15 years old and is experiencing some serious health issues. It’s a song deep in meaning and one that will pull at your heart strings. Beyond the lyrics and meaning of the song, it’s a beautiful song sonically and one that could become part of an acoustic set during live shows.
Favorite Lyrics: For fifteen years right by my side. From a single man to three kids and a wife Friends come and go but when it comes to Jake, there’s just some things that can’t be replaced…
Dierks’ last album, ‘Riser,’ was one that resonated with his rabid fanbase and was constantly questioned why it did not receive award nominations and the acknowledgment that it seemed to deserve. And the quality of work demonstrated by Dierks has continued into ‘Black,’ an album full of songs that features great duets, great lyrics, and great meaning. While Bentley has been able to crank out hits without being acknowledged as one of the elites of the genre in the past, that should change as the consistency of his work, album-after-album, is extraordinary. We expect ‘Black‘ to follow in the footsteps of ‘Riser‘ and climb to the top of the charts.
Get your copy of ‘Black’ on iTunes here.