Illinois native Brett Eldredge has been entertaining us for the past seven years, amassing millions of fans worldwide with his amazing vocals and his effervescent personality; hilarious postings from everyday life with his dog Edgar or life on the road. Now with the August 4th release of his self titled album, Brett Eldredge, fans will see an even deeper, more raw side of the country crooner.
Fans have seen different sides of Eldredge before with the last two albums. Bring You Back, Eldredge’s debut album which was certified gold, released three singles; “Don’t Ya,” “Beat of The Music,” and “Mean To Me”, each doing well on the charts and showcasing his fun but soft side. His second album, Illinois, showed a lighter side but added a more goofball side, and also released three singles: “Lose My Mind,” “Wanna Be That Song,” and “Drunk on Your Love.” The latest self-titled album showcases more depth, as Eldredge shows he not only wears his heart on his sleeve, he places his soul there as well, thus placing this album on the path to multiple certifications and awards.
While the tracks that were previously released received a positive reaction from fans, Brett Eldredge includes several other songs that will turn heads, the ones that fans will connect with in different ways. First, “Circles“ (co-written by Eldredge, Heather Morgan, and Jordan Reynolds) speaks of the cycle (pun intended) that couples find themselves in: they break up, yet can’t seem to let go. So when a talk on the phone leads to a visit, that in turn leads to a night of passion. It’s when morning comes, one leaves, and the cycle begins again:
We can’t be together, sure can’t be apart
Every last goodbye, is just another start
You gone and grab your things
And out the door
Say the hurt is over, and that we’re done for sure”
Chorus
Then you knock, and you’ll come in
If you come in, you’ll sit down
If you sit down, I’ll pour us a drink
And if we drink, then you’ll be laughing if we laugh
We’ll get closer, if we get close
We’ll lose our clothes, and then we’ll fall back in love for a while
We always go in cycles
On and on in cycles
“Cycles” is a lyrical masterpiece with the rawness in his voice and the subtle instruments and background vocals, adds the perfect touch.
“Brother” is an ode to that one person in your life, your best friend; could be a friend, lover, relative or anyone. Taking up the eighth spot on the album, “Brother” is so cleverly written that fans could really use it to each his own. The song, written by Eldredge and Tom Douglas, speaks of that relationship one has with another that nothing or nobody will ever break apart. Sort of an ode to that type of relationship in the most sincere way:
Brother, I think it’s time we talked
Why do guys like us see this world’s got you down
You spend most our lives playing it tough?
Oh, and brother, I see this world’s got you down
You look like you look when you got your heart broke
In 7th grade by Katie Brown
Chorus
We played ball out in the yard
We raced our bikes, we wrecked our cars
Stayed out late in midnight bars
Oh, and we got drunk out in fights
Fell for the same girl once or twice
And somehow made it out alive
But in the end, always there for each other
Oh, brother
Simple lyrics, simple instrumentals is all this song needs.
These next two songs are true to one’s emotions, but have a more upbeat, catchy flavor. “The Reason”, written by Eldredge and Ross Copperman, has this quirky 50’s Motown vibe with a cross between the The Stroll and Line Dance in regards to instrumentation. The production is perfect and Eldredge’s vocals have the adaptability to blend easily with it. The tune is set up as a heartbroken man longing to get back with his love:
Sitting at the bar, telling fairy tales
Pouring whiskey in wishing wells, feeling sorry for myself
There’s only one person in this world that can save me from myself
So I pick up the phone, pray that you’re home, I’m all alone
Chorus
Saying the reason I called you drunk
Is your love so bad, so bad it hurts? Baby, it’s worth saying the reason I stay messed up
Is I need your love so bad, so bad
Lastly is Superhero, written by Eldredge, Ross Copperman, and Heather Morgan, a hard rock anthem-esq ode to a woman in distress from a man who’ll come to her rescue. This song has it all, electric guitar, hard drum beats, and synthesizer. It’s edgy and far from country, but with Eldredge’s genre crossing vocals, it works. Lyrically and vocally, it’ll leave fans visioning a comic book heroine trapped in precarious situations waiting for her knight in shining armor to rescue her:
It’s like her hands are up, out of a smokey window
Saying “Save me from this burning building
It’s like she’s concerned in a darkened alley
Helpless in a world full of villains
Pre Chorus
She’s tired of running away? Here I come to save the day
Chorus
Oh, that girl needs a superhero
Walk up to her, pull her in real close
Her broken heart ain’t a thing no more
That girl needs a superhero
The album is a complete masterpiece filled with soul searched, well written songs, but their production is what sets them apart. Eldredge’s vocals, as it’s been said before, seem to cross many genres effortlessly and fittingly as well. It seems he could make just about any album in just about any genre out there and pass with flying colors.
Brett Eldredge is available across all digital platforms.
For more information, tour dates and merchandise, visit Brett Eldredge’s website at: www.bretteldredge.com
Brett Eldredge Track List
- Love Someone
- Superhero
- The Long Way
- The Reason
- Somethin’ I’m Good At
- Haven’t Met You
- No Stopping You
- Brother
- Heartbreaker
- Crystal Clear
- Cycles
- Castaway