Thomas Rhett’s ‘Life Changes’ is sure to stir up some controversy
Rhett’s new album is his first foray into pop music.
Thomas Rhett’s meteoric rise to country music stardom is an impressive feat. In four short years, Rhett managed to do something in the country genre that’s unheard of these days: headline arena shows before the release of his third album which dropped on Friday.
Rhett has a knack for pushing the limits of country music, pumping out hit after hit. But the release of his third album Life Changes may have pushed a little too far.
The album is a bold statement by the 27-year-old, originally from Valdosta, Georgia. During a time of divisiveness amongst country music fans regarding its sound, Rhett not only adds fuel to the fire, he told all country music purest to read between the lines.
The sound and production of the album are all over the place and reminiscent of Bruno Mars’ sophomore album Unorthodox Jukebox, crossing genre lines.
The opening track, “Craving You,” boasts that hybridized pop, R&B, and country sound which helped Rhett amass seven straight number one singles on the Billboard country chart. And then, there are songs like “Leave Right Now,” which is straight up EDM-infused pop, and “Kiss Me Like A Stranger” with a smooth R&B vibe.
If you’re feeling a little nostalgic, “Sweetheart” is a doo-wop song with some country twang from the steel guitar and lyrics similar to his smash hit “Die a Happy Man.”
“Yeah, you’re sweet like chocolate, hot like Sriracha / Yeah, girl you got me right in your back pocket / You’re smooth like whiskey, fine like wine / I love how you make my blood sugar rise.”
The title track, “Life Changes,” is an autobiographical song that chronicles Rhett’s life from college up until now, giving audiences a glimpse into how dramatically his life has changed in the last five to six years.
“I remember the day I told my Daddy and Mama / ‘You’re gonna have a grandkid, yep / From Uganda, that’s right, we’re adopting / And she’s the cutest little girl that you’ve ever seen’ / Well I was wrapping my head around being a dad / A big wrench got thrown in the plans we thought we had / Now Lauren’s showing, got one on the way / Yeah that’s two under two, hey, what can I say?”
The track is more pop than country, and its chords hit on the up-beat to give the chorus a hint of reggae.
This diversity of music showcases Rhett’s versatility as an artist and lays a foundation to cross over into pop, should that be the direction he wants to take (a la Taylor Swift). And one has to wonder if that’s his play… But the glaring issue with Life Changes is that it doesn’t feel country.
I admire Rhett’s ambition to push the limits of the country format relentlessly, but there is a breaking point. His musical influences were more important than telling stories an audience could connect with, stripping away many of the attributes that make country music so great.
But I guess when you’ve had the unprecedented success Rhett has, you can put out a sub-par pop album disguised as country, and no one will blink an eye.
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