Country music's best-selling duo, Brooks & Dunn, have released new album ‘Reboot II' today (November 15) via Sony Music Nashville. A sequel to the acclaimed 2019 ‘Reboot,' this new album brings together some of today’s most exciting artists from across country and beyond to reimagine Brooks & Dunn’s iconic songs, adding fresh twists to their timeless hits.
With over 30 years in the industry, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have built a Grammy-winning catalog that’s shaped the landscape of country music. For ‘Reboot II' they invited a new generation of artists to bring their unique style to Brooks & Dunn classics—this time with no creative limits. “The premise of the project was ‘No rules,’” Dunn says. “We wanted to loosen the screws and let each artist take the song wherever they wanted. We actually went way off the rails, in a good way.” One listen to this audacious, intriguing album is enough to convince anyone that Ronnie was not lying about the intentions and execution of this album.
‘Reboot II' not only pays homage to Brooks & Dunn’s lasting legacy but highlights the duo’s ongoing influence in country music, bridging their legendary sound with the genre's modern evolution. With their legacy already cemented, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn allow these artists full creative freedom to reshape beloved tracks, yielding an album that's audaciously diverse and, for the most part, wonderfully inventive. In ‘Play Something Country' Lainey Wilson brings a rockier edge that echoes Robert Palmer with a ZZ Top-inspired guitar sound. Her bold vocals shine as the track’s funky guitar solo adds new life to this already high-energy hit, showcasing the duo’s willingness to push boundaries.
Morgan Wallen’s take on ‘Neon Moon' is a refreshing pivot from the Kacey Musgraves version on ‘Reboot,' offering a lighter, more Texan border town sound. Wallen's approach adds a flamenco touch to the guitars, bringing out a nuanced, almost nostalgic vibe that enhances the song’s natural allure. In ‘Rock My World,' Marcus King’s bluesy, horn-infused rendition amplifies the track with a gritty funk that feels both raw and celebratory. King’s guitar solo, joined by horns and piano, transforms the track into a rousing electric blues anthem that feels at once classic and daringly fresh.
Megan Moroney’s take on ‘Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You' slows the pace down to an emotional piano ballad. Paired with plaintive pedal steel, her softer vocals contrast with the upbeat nature of the original lyrics, allowing the melody to rise and evolve in surprising ways. The result is a haunting, melodic highlight on the album that showcases both Moroney’s artistry and the duo’s ability to reframe their songs in poignant, modern ways. Likewise, Warren Zeiders’ rendition of ‘Brand New Man' reinvents the song with a post-grunge, 90s alt-country style, delivering a raw edge that sits well with Zeiders' introspective vocal tone. Although drastically different, this new version is a creatively ambitious and grounded interpretation of the honky-tonk anthem.
Jelly Roll’s transformation of ‘Believe' reaches new heights in this collaboration, blending his sing-speak delivery with gospel backing and string arrangements. This reimagined version retains the original’s spirit while building an even larger, more spiritual soundscape. Dunn joins in with a powerful second verse, proving his vocal prowess remains unyielded by time. This pairing creates an uplifting, redemptive atmosphere that highlights the album’s intention to transcend mere homage. Similarly, ‘How Long Gone,' one of the duo's most beloved songs, is transformed by The Earls of Leicester (a Bluegrass band helmed by iconic musician and producer, Jerry Douglas) into a rollicking romp dripping in style and verve! Fiddles & banjos drive the song in true uptempo fashion. ‘How Long Gone' is another big creative change from the original but it's a real treat that puts a big smile on your face. Douglas and his band do such a good job here that maybe ‘Reboot III' should just be bluegrass-only re-imaginings of Brooks and Dunn songs?? Just sayin'?
However, some of the album’s riskier interpretations—like ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie' with Halestorm and ‘Hillbilly Deluxe' with HARDY—may divide listeners. While Lzzy Hale’s rock-infused vocals bring a new level of intensity to the former, the metal transformation might alienate purists. Meanwhile, HARDY’s take on ‘Hillbilly Deluxe' ventures into screamo territory, blending metal guitars and gritty vocals. The attempt is daring, yet may feel too far afield for traditional fans. Still, these bold shifts reinforce Brooks & Dunn’s commitment to artist autonomy and genre-blending experimentation, so must be applauded.
Elsewhere, there are nothing but positives. Riley Green's ‘She Used to Be Mine' is a beautifully bittersweet, Eagles-esque take on a song that might even be better here, on this collection, than in its original form. Ernest excels on the timeless melodies of ‘Indian Summer' and Jake Worthington takes Ronnie Dunn deep into the heart of San Antonio on the wonderfully Texan-tinged ‘I’ll Never Forgive My Heart.' Throw in a rollicking ‘Drop in the Bucket' with A Thousand Horses that crackles and fizzles with ‘Johnny B Goode' style attitude and you've got way more hits and successes on this ballsy, brave album than you have misses.
In ‘Reboot II' Brooks & Dunn have taken a bold leap by granting contemporary artists the freedom to reinterpret their songs on their own terms. The project brims with multiple hits and a few scattered misses, but the high points resonate as strongly as the originals—if not more so, in some cases. This creative and fearless approach to revisiting classic songs affirms Brooks & Dunn’s place as legends who aren’t afraid to let their music evolve. ‘Reboot II' is an exhilarating testament to the duo’s willingness to innovate and celebrate the genre they helped shape whilst at the same time still adding to it in creative, innovative and fun ways.
Tracklist: 1. Play Something Country 2. Neon Moon 3. Rock My World 4. Ain't Nothin' ‘Bout You 5. Brand New Man 6. Believe 7. She Used to be Mine 8. She Likes to Get Out of Town 9. Boot Scootin' Boogie 10. That Ain't No Way to Go 11. How Long Gone 12. I'll Never Forgive My Heart 13. She's Not the Cheatin' Kind 14. Hard Workin' Man 15. Hillbilly Deluxe 16. Indian Summer 17. Drop in the Bucket 18. Only in America Release Date: 15th November Record Label: Sony Music Nashville Buy ‘Reboot II' right here
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