Chayce Beckham gained fame as the only artist to win American Idol singing his original songs. Nominated for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards for his platinum hit single ’23,’ Beckham’s fiery and honest songwriting style has earned him widespread acclaim which is sure to only increase with the reception to his debut album, ‘Bad For Me.’
Raised in California, Beckham blends influences from country, rock, hip hop, and beyond in his music. After facing tough times he turned to songwriting as an outlet, pouring his heart into his music. Debut album ‘Bad for Me’ features 13 tracks, with Beckham co-writing nine songs. Drawing inspiration from legends like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, combined with the success & style of ’23’, which has clearly informed a lot of the writing towards this album, Beckham’s music showcases a timeless country-rock sound with a raw and authentic muscle and edge.
‘Bad For Me’ embarks on a deeply personal journey of loss and redemption, resonating with listeners through its heartfelt narratives and stirring melodies. The opening track, ‘Devil I’ve Been’ sets a somber yet hopeful tone, as Beckham reflects on washing away sins and seeking redemption amidst haunting guitars and fiddles. This theme of redemption threads through the album, evident in tracks like “Addicted & Clean” and “Waylon in ‘75,” where Beckham grapples with post-relationship struggles and emotional turmoil, channeling palpable angst and vulnerability. ‘Waylon in ’75’ feels like an obvious choice for radio and a nailed on number 1 hit. It’s a muscle bound anthem full of anger, machismo and angst as Beckham struggles to move on after the end of a relationship. “Damn right I’m angry, cos ever since you left me, I just can’t make nothing feel right,” he declares, firing bullets at a Texaco sign and sweeping us all away on a bed of arena-sized melodies.
Amidst the melancholic narratives, ‘Bad For Me’ offers moments of introspection and acceptance. The piano ballad title track encapsulates Beckham’s yearning for a love that’s ultimately detrimental, showcasing emotive instrumentals and his rich vocals. Plaintive fiddles, emotive pianos and Beckham’s rich vocals create a classic Country ballad with real punch and muscle as he fights his weaknesses and ultimately loses. Similarly, tracks like ‘Glitter’ delve into failed relationships with poignant lyricism and western-infused melodies, while ‘Something Worth Holding On To’ explores the theme of finding redemption through self-reflection and personal growth, buoyed by bombastic choruses and strong melodies.
As the album unfolds, Beckham’s storytelling prowess shines through in tracks like ‘Mama’ and ‘If I Had a Week.’ The former, in which he pays tribute to maternal love is an honest, heartfelt acoustic ballad awash with plaintive fiddles. “Without you, I’d be nothing at all,” Beckham states in a kind of Rod Stewart esque rasp as the song progresses on a bed of fiddles, tugging at your heartstrings and hitting hard where it needs to. ‘If I Had a Week,’ meanwhile, finds Beckham reflecting on life’s fleeting moments. Intense, campfire feels abound on a song perfect for songwriter rounds as Beckham sings about not having any time to relax or refocus.
A couple of the tracks see Beckham experimenting with slightly different sounds. ‘Whiskey Country’ is a Bluesy song that wouldn’t be out of place on Chris Stapleton’s ‘Traveller’ album. Late night hotel bar feels abound as Beckham links drinking whiskey to a nostalgic relationship that’s now finished. Slick, bluesy vibes and a cracking guitar solo create a ‘Country Michael Buble’ vibe that works well for Beckham here whilst ‘Smoking Weed and Drinking Whiskey’ is an absolute Texan bar room honky tonk romp as Beckham touches upon the duality of both his Californian (weed) and Tennessee (whiskey) lifestyles. It’s a clever, personal song that’s great to sing along to or to maybe even create your own line dance too as well! Classic 50s rock n roll guitars and pedal steel bring a retro feel to this very modern song that works a treat to these ears.
The album’s poignant closer (and current top 3 radio chart hit), ’23’ bookends Beckham’s journey with another reflection on personal growth and overcoming struggles, serving as a powerful testament to his resilience and artistic evolution. ’23,’ the song that started it all for Chayce Beckham, has been ported across from the 2021 EP of the same name for a second life on this album. It’s an intense, biographical, acoustic guitar driven number about growing up and becoming someone you’re not proud of. Here we find Beckham struggling with alcohol at 23 years old. ‘I know I should have taken it slow,’ he sings. “But when you’re passed out on the floor, you’re sober by 24.’ Powerful stuff. Beckham opened the album with a song about finding redemption and it’s bookended with another song that also echoes the same themes amid those big, gruff vocals and muscle-bound country moments.
‘Bad For Me’ is a compelling testament to Chayce Beckham’s songwriting prowess and emotional depth, offering a diverse collection of tracks that resonate with authenticity and sincerity. The album solidifies Beckham’s place in the country music landscape, offering a poignant narrative of loss and redemption that resonates long after the final note fades. With its blend of heartfelt ballads, energetic romps, and introspective musings on redemption, love and loss, this album is sure to captivate audiences and firmly solidify Chayce Beckham’s emerging place in the country music narrative over the coming months and years.
Tracklist: 1. Devil I’ve Been 2. Addicted & Clean 3. Waylon in ‘75 4. Bad For Me 5. Drink You Off My Mind 6. Everything I Need 7. Whiskey Country 8. Glitter 9. Smoking Weed and Drinking Whiskey 10. Something Worth Holding On To 11. Mama 12. If I Had a Week 13. 23 Release Date: April 5th Record Label: BBR Buy ‘Bad For Me’ right here.
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