It’s a wonderful thing when an artist finds his or her groove – the moment when everything finally clicks and that moment for Sunny Sweeney has arrived with the release of her fourth studio album, Trophy. That is not to say that Sweeney hasn’t had several gems with her previous works – “From A Table Away” and “My Bed” (her duet with Will Hoge) are obvious standouts – but with Trophy, all the pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place. Vocally, Sweeney is at her best and while drawing upon intense personal events, she really puts the pen to the vein lyrically. Known for her Texas country roots of honesty and attitude, the tracks stick to those characteristics with plenty of fiddle, steel guitar and drinking your woes away, but they also take the listener on several highs and lows while diving into deeper, mature issues.
Perhaps the most personal is “Bottle By My Bed,” a heart-wrenching song co-written with CMA and GRAMMY-award winning Lori McKenna (“Girl Crush,” “Humble and Kind”). At first glance of the title, one may think it’s about dealing with alcoholism, but are soon made aware that it documents the internal struggle many women suffer with silently – the instinctual desire to become a mother, the inability to do so, and the awareness that those who are lucky to be mothers can be envious of her child-free life. Based on personal fight, tragedy and hope, the lyrics show a raw and vulnerable side of Sweeney:
It’s an empty room at the top of the stairs
Watching the evening news with a couple of beers
I only call my husband baby because I love the word
Never wanted something so bad that it hurts
Even give up these damn old cigarettes
If I could have a bottle by my bed
The lead track “Pass The Pain” starts the album off with an iconic classic country vibe. Perfectly supported by piano and steel guitar, Sweeney’s powerful vocals are gorgeous as she asks the bartender for another drink to swallow her pain away. The lyrics, inspired by her past divorce – are so strong with melancholy as she begs the bartender for the next round that it leaves the listener feeling just as dejected.
Melodic fiddle and steel guitar sets the tone for “Nothing Wrong With Texas,” another co-write with McKenna. In this ode to the Lone Star State, Sweeney sings about all the things that makes Texas so special and genuine, but points out that sometimes you have to leave to realize what you left behind:
You might have to leave to see that you want to come back
Big old world out there might change your perspective
Spent so much time running around in that big old [pony] act
It’s time to go back to where I learned what respect is
There’s nothing wrong with Texas
McKenna also lent her songwriting genius on “Grow Old With Me,” a beautiful, hopeful song about spending your life with your one and only (The love we have is broken in like leather / Grow old with me, I’ll keep you young forever) and the title track “Trophy,” a no-holds-bared stand up to Sweeney’s husband’s high-maintenance, callous ex-wife (I know what you call me, that word fits me to a T / You just think I’m pretty and you’re just full of jealousy / I don’t make him play the fool, put him on a pedestal is something you would never do / yeah he’s got a trophy now…for putting up with you).
“Pills,” written by Sweeney’s good friend Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay, and Chris Wall’s “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight,” are the only non-original songs included, both of which fit the overall ride of the 10-track album well.
Poised to make the “Top Albums of 2017” list, Trophy shows us the best of Sunny Sweeney – vocally, lyrically and emotionally. Fans new and old are bound to play this one front-to-back and on repeat for years to come. And hopefully country radio will do the same.
Trophy was produced by Grammy-nominated engineer/producer Dave Brainard (Brandy Clark’s 12 Stories) and will be available on March 10 via Thirty Tigers.
Trophy Track-listing:
1. “Pass The Pain” (Jay Clementi/Monty Holmes/Sunny Sweeney)
2. “Better Bad Idea” (Buddy Owens/Galen Griffin/Sunny Sweeney)
3. “Nothing Wrong With Texas” (Lori McKenna/Sunny Sweeney)
4. “Pills” (Brennen Leigh/Noel McKay)
5. “Bottle By My Bed” (Lori McKenna/Sunny Sweeney)
6. “Why People Change” (Heather Morgan/Sunny Sweeney)
7. “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight” (Chris Wall)
8. “Grow Old With Me” (Lori McKenna/Sunny Sweeney)
9. “Trophy” (Lori McKenna/Sunny Sweeney)
10. “Unsaid (Caitlyn Smith/Sunny Sweeney)