This past Friday, Little Big Town released their eighth studio album, titled ‘The Breaker,’ which has been described as nostalgic and soulful. They filled the album with songs that put you on an emotional rollercoaster. It consists of happy songs that you insist on adding to your summer car ride playlist, to songs that make you sit back listening to self deprecating lyrics with candles and wine, or songs that make you well up with emotion from past experiences (good and bad). LBT does a great job with mixing in the different vocalists of their group with different tracks and each song brings forth something unique and relatable.
1.) ‘Happy People’ – Written by Lori McKenna and Hailey Whitters.
Impression: In a touching ode to be nothing less than happy in this life, Little Big Town opens up their album with ‘Happy People.’ Soon to be a motto for many, LBT talks about what it takes to be happy and how to release the negativities that can weigh a person down.
Favorite Lyrics: These days ain’t always easy to find. They’re the ones that you want standing by your side…
2.) ‘Night On Our Side’ – Written by Jay Joyce, Jeremy Spillman, Phillip Sweet, Ryan Tyndell, and Jimi Westbrook.
Impression: The second song is dominated mainly by the male vocals of the group on each verse and it works extremely well for this melody. To start, there is a lone vocal intro of the group, which introduces the song in a strong way. ‘Night On Our Side’ talks about stars, constellations, and the moon. And although there are plenty space references, the bigger meaning is that the nighttime is on these two lovers side, helping them have as much fun as they can together before the morning comes.
Favorite Lyrics: Out where love can still be wild, and we might live forever for a little while tonight…
3.) ‘Lost In California’ – Written by Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose.
Impression: When Little Big Town cut a song written by this trio of songwriters in 2014, it became a smash hit. We’re talking a 3x Platinum certified single that won a GRAMMY and a CMA Award for Best Country Song and Single (and Song) of the Year, respectively. Yes, we’re talking ‘Girl Crush.’ So it’s no wonder that LBT again cut a song by the ‘Love Junkies’ with the hope that this tracks follows in the footsteps of ‘Girl Crush.’ ‘Lost in California’ is a song that consumes you with its melody and hypnotizing vocals, it demands you to listen to it with candles lit and a glass of wine in hand. It’s super sexy riffs and vocals make this song completely addicting. Being with someone who makes you feel like time stops, is a feeling like no other. While being together, you’re lost with them and lost in wherever you are.
Favorite Lyrics: Whisper in my ear, dreamin’ disappear, say you’ll take me, where the world unwinds…
4.) ‘Free’ – Written by Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Lori McKenna.
Impression: ‘Free’ is about all the things in life that you can’t put a price tag on. It’s all about the love letters grandpa wrote to grandma during the war, clothes flying in the wind on the clothesline, playing street hockey with friends, who you are as a person from your influences, or buying a six pack from the liquor store. Memories is what this song is all about, and memories are free. Although we chase dreams bigger than life, all the things we want are right in front of us without costing us anything.
Favorite Lyrics: Get your green eyes from your mother, God knows you can’t buy that…
5.) ‘Drivin’ Around’ – Written by Kameron Alexander, David Embree, Audra Mae, and Todd Spadafore.
Impression: The fifth song has a bit of an 80’s feel to it with its melody and beat – a song that should be added to your ‘drivin’ around’ playlist! It talks about going on a drive with no destination in mind and just having a great time. Its upbeat guitars and drums help add that feel good incentive to it.
Favorite Lyrics: As the sunset paints the sky ’cause there’s just nothin’ like turnin’ up the radio.
6.) ‘We Went To The Beach’ – Written by Matt Jenkins, Chase McGill, and Laura Veltz.
Impression: In a medium tempoed, feel-good-beat, ‘We Went To The Beach’ is a song of nostalgia. Another song dominated by the soft and warm voices of Jimi and Phillip. You start as a kid going to the same beach house with your family during the same week of the same month every year. That then becomes you going to the same spot with your friends as young teens after saving up for the trip. Later on, it becomes the spot you get married at with the love of your life. This beach means something to you and is now apart of your life forever.
Favorite Lyrics: It was brand new tans, brown-golden bands and sand all in the sheets…
7.) ‘Better Man’ – Written by Taylor Swift.
Impression: The seventh song is the popularly played radio hit and Taylor Swift written track, ‘Better Man.’ The band has already had great success with this song as it became their most recent Number One song just last week and celebrated another week in the number one spot this week. The song topped both the Billboard and MediaBase Charts. LBT truly hits home with this resonating song for many. Its relatability helped it become such a popular listen and it’s truthful lyrics sting the core. This song depicts the problems of wanting/knowing you need to leave a relationship due to mistreatment, but the fear of being alone is too strong for you to overcome. Although it seems cowardly to run, it actually is the bravest thing you could do in this situation.
Favorite Lyrics: And I just miss you and I just wish you were a better man. We might still be in love, if you were a better man…
8.) ‘Rolin’’ – Written by Natalie Hemby, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook.
Impression: To pick up the pace and mood, the eighth song is dedicated to “keep on rollin.” With harmonies to back the main vocals and a beat you can’t help but move around to, the song is extremely catchy. It’s about doing what you want to do without hesitation. Don’t let what anyone has to say get to you, continue to do what makes you happy and what makes you have fun.
Favorite Lyrics: It’s a don’t let nothing get to you strategy, I keep, I keep rollin’
9.) ‘Don’t Die Young, Don’t Get Old’ – Written by Karen Fairchild, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Kimberly Schlapman.
Impression: In a song that has more of an R&B-soul feel (maybe they channeled some ‘Wanderlust‘ inspiration…) featuring country guitars, LBT creates another low-key feel-good anthem. To match ‘Lost In California,’ this song has a little more of faster paced tempo but can also be paired with a glass of wine and candles. No one thinks of dying while they’re young. However, we all know life works in mysterious ways and we don’t have all that much time to do and say the things we want to. But for right now, in this moment with whoever it is you want, you act as if you can’t die young or get old.
Favorite Lyrics: Keep every promise and hold on till forever. Keep stealing my heart like we ain’t on borrowed time…
10.) ‘Beat Up Bible’ – Written by Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey, and Shane Stevens.
Impression: A lone guitar intro with a single voice to accompany it gets your attention right off the bat with ‘Beat Up Bible.’ Whether you are religious or not, follow your faith closely or barely at all, this song can make listeners feel emotional with its truthful words. As each chorus enters, so does another member of the band but the lone guitar remains. This bible is representative of someone who gave words of wisdom to follow when you needed it most.
Favorite Lyrics: When you’re crying and you’re hurting, and nothing else is working, all you’ve got to do is just believe….
11.) ‘When Someone Stops Loving You’ – Written by Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill, and Lori McKenna.
Impression: The eleventh song is undeniably relatable and heart wrenching. The title alone says it all. When someone stops loving you, your world stops spinning. The pain you feel day in and day out, is unbearable, but you have to go on. You can’t sleep in the same bed where they once slept and you have to keep their number in case they decide to call you back. You want to so badly, but you can’t stop yourself from loving them. With a choice of a male vocalist, it makes the song so much more rich, enticing, and raw.
Favorite Lyrics: It don’t keep the sun from rising, the clock from winding, your heart from beating, even when you want it to, when someone stops loving you.
12.) ‘The Breaker’ – Written by Connie Harrington and TJ Osborne.
Impression: In the final song of the album, LBT goes with strong male vocals in the title track. Very similar to the previous track, ‘When Someone Stops Loving You,’ ‘The Breaker’ goes straight for the heart strings and nothing but the truth. In a short 2:51, lyrics filled with pain, truth, and regret form into a situation all too familiar. A great way to end the album with this powerful song.
Favorite Lyrics: And I made you a promise with no way to keep it. But what kills me the most, I’d still do anything for you…
‘The Breaker’ is available on iTunes now. You can purchase your copy by clicking here. Be sure to get yours and listen to this great album filled with versatility and emotion. Be sure to also see Little Big Town take on the “Ellen Show” on March 1st and “The Talk” on March 14th.