Brian Kelley, fresh from his phenomenal C2C weekend shows, releases his eagerly-anticipated album Tennessee Truth, his debut album with Big Machine Records. This recording differs from 2021’s ‘Sunshine State of Mind,’ as it heads away from the coast to offer 12 anthems to the country and to Country music, with Kelley co-writing on eight tracks. Kelley, the writer, who has already penned nine number one songs.
Perhaps more familiar to UK audiences as the Florida half of Florida-Georgia Line, Kelley’s Tennessee Truth (produced by the legendary Dann Huff) is a confident collection of family, love and living a good life with a sound that echoes Alan Jackson or Cody Johnson. As Kelley says, ‘I’ve done the work. Now, I’m excited for the harvest.’
And the hard work is clear. ‘Acres’ opens the album, with the easy anthem of drums and guitar that will put you right in the mood for summer, largely thanks to Kelley’s honeyed vocals. The visuals of ‘acres’ with ‘backwards ball-cap’ seems to suggest an acknowledgement of the former style of music and the current. It’s also a song that sets the tone for the remaining eleven songs.
‘King Ranch’ is one of my favourite tracks on Tennessee Truth. The ballad with a banjo edge talking about the love for a truck only being surpassed by the love he has for his queen. Great guitar riffing, with an addictive finger-snapping beat.
‘Goin’ Places’ is another effortless ballad, stripped of heady instruments, which really allows Kelley’s easy voice to shine. But he’s equally able to carry a fiddle and steel guitar sound, albeit the drums and guitars are louder. In a good way.
The alliterative ‘Barefeet or Boots’ is another controlled guitar and banjo infused ballad (like King Ranch) that will sound equally good on the radio or with ‘Georgia peaches on a Florida beach’.
‘See You Next Summer,’ released as a single in 2023, is a vocally strong mid-tempo song about what happens to a relationship once it goes beyond a summer, taking that leap to the next stage.
‘Kiss My Boots’ is an answer to critics, both personal and professional, with Kelley ‘Bringing Hank, bringing Jack’ to stand tall for anyone who needs to stand up for themselves. The title says what it needs to say.
Tennessee Truth is a self-assured album, which will be played at tailgate parties and weddings across the Country-loving world, and Kelley’s stage presence will only do good things to ticket sales. Come on back to the UK anytime, Brian.
Find out more of what Brian Kelley thinks of UK audiences in this interview.
Tracklist: 1. Acres 2. How We’re Livin’ 3. King Ranch 4. Trucks, Ducks, Bucks, & Beer 5. Goin’ Places 6. Barefeet Or Boots 7. Dirt Road Date Night 8. 10 O’Clock OnThe Dock 9. See You Next Summer 10. Doin’ Nothin’ 11. Dirt Cheap 12. Kiss My Boots Record Label: Big Machine Records Release Date: 10th May 2024 Buy ‘Tennessee Truth’ right here
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