On Friday, August 7th country megastar, Luke Bryan, will release his fifth studio album, titled ‘Kill The Lights.’ Coming off his double-Platinum album, ‘Crash My Party,’ and spending the past couple years on the road including numerous stadium shows, expectation was high for the new album the minute Luke announced it this past May. ‘Kill The Lights‘ features 13 tracks, including 6 songs that Luke also contributed as a writer in. New England Country Music got an advanced listen of the album, check out our review below!
1.) ‘Kick The Dust Up’ – Written by Dallas Davidson, Chris Destefano and Ashley Gorley.
Impression: Before officially announcing the tour and album, Luke was opening his shows with ‘Kick The Dust Up,’ the first single off the album, and the crowd always responded to the song that just makes you want to dance. Ultimately, Luke would name his 2015 tour the Kick The Dust Up tour and has produced rave reviews from the shows including three recent sold-out shows in Gilford, NH. The single is fun, catchy, and upbeat, makes you get out of your seat and want to dance! And the charts show that the fans are loving this song as ‘Kick The Dust Up’ as recently reached the top spot on the US Country Airplay Chart.
Favorite Lyric: Got me a jar full of clear. And I got that music for your ear. And it’s like knock knock knock goes the diesel. If you really wanna see the beautiful people…
2.) ‘Kill The Lights’ – Written by Luke Bryan, Jody Stevens and Jeff Stevens.
Impression: First listen, and the title track has an almost-motown sound to it. With a quick pace, sensual lyrics, and a chorus that will have fans singing along, Luke will be sure to show off his signature dance moves during live performances of ‘Kill The Lights.’ The song describes two people on a back road and when they ‘Kill The Lights,’ well you know the rest of the story…
Favorite Lyric: We can feel all the way through. Let me just hold on to you. Baby trust my hands. Live it up while we still can…
3.) ‘Strip It Down’ – Written by Luke Bryan, Jon Nite and Ross Copperman.
Impression: Two words- HOLY SENSUAL! With Luke’s large female fanbase, this song i sure to stir up hoots, hollers, and screams at the live shows. ‘Strip It Down’ could definitely be a song where Luke slows it down and plays the piano live on stage. The song is lined up to be the second single off the album, and it should reach the number one spot in no time. It’s pretty self-explanatory what this song is about, but if you can’t figure it out, feel free to check out the lyric video below!
Favorite Lyric: When it was an old back road with an old school beat. Cowboy boots by your little bare feet…
4.) ‘Home Alone Tonight’ (Featuring Karen Fairchild) – Written by Jody Stevens, Cole Taylor, Jaida Dreyer and Tommy Cecil.
Impression: The first duet on an album from Luke Bryan (at least since since Ashton Shepherd did backup vocals on ‘Tailgate Blues’ off the ‘Tailgates & Tanlines‘ album), Luke brought on some serious vocal power to compliment him in ‘Home Alone Tonight’ as it features Karen Fairchild from Little Big Town! The song mixes traditional country theme (heartbreak in a bar leading to a new acquaintance) with some modernality like selfies. The song describes two people who meet at a bar and neither end up going home alone! It’s definitely a fun song, and one of our favorites on the album as Karen’s sultry voice gives the track a special depth. We can only hope that these two will cross paths in a city so we can see this performed live!
Favorite Lyric: So let’s go… Shot, for shot, for shot. ‘Til we forgot what we came here to forget. Ain’t a clock, a tick, a tock, that’s gonna stop. A night that we won’t regret…
5.) ‘Razor Blade’ – Written by Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell and Rodney Clawson.
Impression: Ever been out, just having fun with your friends and then someone walks in and it’s over, you’re hooked!? Well, that’s what is happening in ‘Razor Blade.’
Favorite Lyric: You’re blindfolded, walking south down the whiskey tracks. She’s rolling north like a neon train…
6.) ‘Fast’ – Written by Luke Bryan, Rodney Clawson and Luke Laird.
Impression: Our first listen of ‘Fast’ made us think of Trace Adkins’ ‘You’re Gonna Miss This,’ as it has a similar theme, that life goes by too fast. And although you wanted things to be fast when you were younger, you now want things to slow down a bit. I think we have all had that moment in our lives where we look back and wish we still were in our glory days, maybe go back to when we were younger when we wanted to grow up, and all that. ‘Fast’ is a great song, one of our favorites on the albums as it is written perfectly and we’re happy to see that Luke who is such a great performer still has some magic in his pen!
Favorite Lyric: Sixty seconds now feels more like thirty. Tick-tock, won’t stop, around it goes. Sand through the glass sure falls in a hurry. All you keep trying to do is slow it down, soak it in. You’re trying to make the good times last as long as you can…
7.) ‘Move’ – Written by Luke Bryan, Michael Carter and Jay Clementi.
Impression: If ‘Move’ does not end up as a single off the album, we would be VERY surprised. The song is great and it has a chorus that just screams Luke Bryan. The tempo is high, the chorus is catchy, the instrumentals are fantastic. The song may be all about the guy being mesmerized when the girl ‘moves,’ but we’re sure Luke will show off some of his well-known moves when he performs this live! ‘Move’ is destined to be a hit and another number one song for the Georgia-native!
Favorite Lyric: When that song hits, Damn, you turn it loose. Stars of the southern sky. Buzz of the fire and ice. DJ playing throwback tunes. I wanna move when you…
8.) ‘Just Over’ – Written by Chase McGill, Brad Tursi and Jessie Jo Dillon.
Impression: ‘Just Over’ is relatable and beautifully written. Lyrically, it’s one of the best songs on the album. The song describes a guy who thinks his girlfriend is coming over to make up after a fight, but she’s really coming to end the relationship.
Favorite Lyric: I was thinking she would come over, stay over, wake up hungover, still head over heels for me. Thought it was something we could talk over…
9.) ‘Love It Gone’ – Written by Jody Stevens and Jay Clementi.
Impression: We always see Luke and his adorable relationship with his beautiful wife, Caroline. And although Luke did not have his hand in writing ‘Love It Gone,’ this song just makes us think of how their relationship is… well, based on the perception we get from them! It’s a cute song where the woman is having a bad day and is in a funk, and he just wants to ‘Love It Gone.’ He wants to give her his love to make her feel better. Extra points for Luke with the ‘awww’ factor with ‘Love It Gone.’
Favorite Lyric: Little barefoot dancing. Little kissing in the kitchen romancing. Got a whole lot of love that I’ve been saving. And a bottle of wine that’s been waiting…
10.) ‘Way Way Back’ – Written by Luke Bryan, Ashley Gorley and Rodney Clawson.
Impression: Many relationships get stale after years together. People get older, busier, and lose track of the early days. But Luke brings her (as the songwriter, referring to his wife) ‘Way Way Back’ (time wise) to lay it ‘Way Way Back’ and, you know… It’s another cute but fun song.
Favorite Lyric: Every little scratch on that CD. Made it skip along like my heartbeat did back then…
11. ‘To The Moon and Back’ – Written by Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey and Tony Lane.
Impression: ‘To The Moon and Back’ is all about loyalty. It has an almost wedding vow-like feel to it as the song describes polar opposites and despite all factors, the song’s character will be right beside and will love their significant other ‘To The Moon and Back.’ Yes, the song title is a common phrase that may be found on Etsy items, but it’s never been described to the level that these songwriters did with this song. It’s a really beautiful song, and one that could be someone’s first dance at their wedding.
Favorite Lyric: I’m gonna love you. To the ends of the Earth. To the moon and back…
12.) ‘Huntin,’ Fishin’ And Lovin’ Every Day’ – Written by Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip.
Impression: We all know Luke is a big outdoorsman with numerous pictures of him hunting and fishing and enjoying the outdoors on his Instagram. Heck, it could be the only thing he loves more than music (only he knows for sure). The song is all about being the outdoors and living every country boy’s dream. We recently talked to someone who isn’t a big Luke fan, and even they love this song! It’s a true country song at it’s finest! Check out the lyric video below!
Favorite Lyric: We get to huntin’, fishin’ and lovin’ every day. That’s the prayer that a country boy prays…
13.) ‘Scarecrows’ – Written by Ashley Gorley, Trevor Rosen and Shane McAnally.
Impression: It’s the good old small town that we have fallen in love with in our country songs, but from a different perspective. The songwriters give the song a different and unique view in which the song’s subject are like ‘Scarecrows;’ no matter where they go, no matter what the conditions are, their roots and soul are always there.
Favorite Lyric: Just some old plowboys pretending we’re cowboys. We came from nothing, oh, but look at us now, boys…
The album is a mix of Luke’s personality- songs that will make you get up and dance, songs that show his roots, and songs that show his sensitive side and makes him the heartthrob that he is. Ever since Luke released his first album, ‘I’ll Stay Me,’ in 2007, he has been on the expressway to success. His last three studio albums have all reached Platinum status, including the previous two being certified double-Platinum and ultimately number one albums. And ‘Kill The Lights‘ should be no different. With Luke’s enormous following and several songs on the album that have the potential to be number one hits, there is no way that this album does not reach the top spot on the charts, and quickly.
You can pre-order/purchase ‘Kill The Lights‘ on iTunes here.