Colbie Caillat first emerged in the late 2000s as a fresh‐voiced singer-songwriter whose breezy, sun-kissed acoustics and earnest lyrics captured listeners’ hearts. Raised in Malibu, California, with a father in the music production world, she absorbed a rich mix of sounds from rock to pop at home, and began writing her own songs as a teenager. Her big break came via MySpace, where her song ‘Bubbly' gained viral buzz and led to her major label debut ‘Coco' in 2007. That album introduced more gems such as ‘Realize,' setting the stage for subsequent albums like ‘Breakthrough' (2009) and ‘All of You.' (2011) Alongside her solo success she’s been recognised by the GRAMMYs—including wins and nominations for her duet with Jason Mraz (‘Lucky') and contributions to other artists’ projects.
Over the years, Caillat has grown both artistically and personally, experimenting with different styles (from intimate folk-pop to more polished, radio-friendly pop) and even venturing into country more recently, especially since moving to Nashville. Her albums, from ‘Gypsy Heart' through to ‘Along the Way,' show someone who is deeply reflective—unafraid to revisit past songs with fresh perspective or to try new sounds. She’s sold millions of records, amassed billions of streams globally and built a catalog of songs that are both personal and widely relatable. All of that makes her new duets album, ‘This Time Around' feel like a milestone: a reunion with older work that shaped her, alongside new material that shows how far she’s come.
From the get-go it is clear that ‘This Time Around' is more than just a nostalgic revisiting of her back catalogue—it’s a reimagining that highlights how far she’s come as an artist while keeping the warmth and accessibility that made her a household name in the first place. The project pairs her with some of country and pop’s biggest voices, reshaping her iconic hits with richer instrumentation and grounding them firmly in a more roots-oriented, country-leaning sound. It’s a bold move, but it pays off beautifully, breathing new life into songs we thought we already knew while introducing new tracks that stand shoulder to shoulder with her classics.
One of the strongest examples of this evolution is ‘Fallin’ For You,' originally a breezy, acoustic pop love song from 2009’s ‘Breakthrough.' With Maren Morris as her partner, Caillat gives the track more heft, adding a heavier bottom end and richer textures without losing its catchy, sun-lit appeal. Morris’s vocals on the second verse provide a welcome counterpoint, and together they elevate the song from sweet and innocent to confident and mature. Likewise, ‘Brighter Than the Sun' from 2011’s ‘All of You' finds new footing with Walker Hayes. Once a steel drum-flecked beach anthem, it now pulses with banjo and grounded percussion, reshaped into a front-porch singalong that feels just as fun but far more substantial.
The reimagining of her breakout hit ‘Bubbly' with Amos Lee is another standout. What was once an airy, almost childlike ode to infatuation now feels warmer and earthier thanks to slower pacing, banjo accents, and Lee’s gravel-tinged vocals. The song retains its sense of joy and romantic sparkle, but it carries the weight of lived experience—grown-up attraction rather than innocent daydreaming. Similarly, ‘Realize,' first heard on 2007’s ‘Coco,' gains immeasurable depth in its duet form with Mitchell Tenpenny. Electric guitar licks and slowed pacing transform it into a bluesier ballad and Tenpenny’s back-and-forth delivery with Caillat makes this version arguably stronger than the original—meatier, lusher and more emotionally resonant.
Caillat also revisits one of her most beloved collaborations, ‘Lucky,' alongside Jason Mraz. Fifteen years on, their voices still intertwine effortlessly, but the production this time leans into a country sensibility with layered fiddles and banjo lines. It creates a Phil Spector-esque “wall of sound” without losing the intimate charm that made the song timeless. By contrast, ‘Try,' her 2014 empowerment ballad from ‘Gypsy Heart,' remains closer to its original but benefits from the addition of Lady A’s Hillary Scott and a heartbeat-like electronic drum pulse. With fiddles underscoring the emotional core, the song feels even more urgent in 2025, its message of authenticity and self-acceptance hitting harder than ever.
The new material is just as compelling. ‘Kinda Single,' co-written with and featuring Lee Brice, is a clever, mid-tempo banjo-driven track that blends humour and heartache, its sting coming in the chorus where Caillat admits she’d leave her new flame for her ex. Brice’s verse mirrors her sentiment, making the duet feel playful yet bittersweet. On ‘Live Without,' Maddie & Tae join Caillat for a slick country-pop anthem co-written with Liz Rose and Jimmy Robbins. Fiddle flourishes and a soaring chorus turn it into an undeniable singalong, its message—“It turns out you’re something I can live without”—delivered with charm and confidence by all three singers.
Caillat isn’t afraid to stretch further afield either. Her duet with Gavin DeGraw on Post Malone’s ‘Circles' slows the track down and drapes it in pedal steel, making it feel more like a lost Patsy Cline gem than a modern pop hit. Meanwhile, ‘I Never Told You' from ‘Breakthrough' takes on a galloping western energy in its new form with Chris Young, complete with roaring banjo lines and fiddle-driven choruses. It’s one of the most radical—and successful—reinventions on the record, a bold transformation that makes the song sound as though it was always destined for the country charts.
The collaborations continue with Ryan Hurd on ‘Can’t Say No,' a smooth country ballad reminiscent of early-2010s Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood duets, full of longing and irresistible harmonies. Then comes Russell Dickerson on ‘If You Love Me Let Me Go,' which trades the electronic laser-gun sound effects from its incarnation on ‘Gypsy Heart' for a warm, expansive pop-country arrangement. Dickerson’s trademark energy lights up the chorus, giving the song a fresh urgency while maintaining its bittersweet heart. Both songs fit seamlessly into the album’s blend of reworked classics and fresh originals, showcasing Caillat’s adaptability in collaboration.
By the time ‘This Time Around' closes, it’s clear that Caillat has accomplished something rare: she’s honoured her past without being bound by it. Each reimagined track gains new weight and richness, while the original material proves she still has plenty of stories to tell. Banjo, fiddle and pedal steel may now sit at the heart of her sound, but what shines most is her willingness to take risks, to grow and to let her music evolve alongside her life. ‘This Time Around' is a triumph—an album that feels both warmly familiar and bracingly new, one that reintroduces Caillat to longtime fans while inviting a whole new audience into her orbit.
Tracklist: 1. Fallin' For You (feat. Maren Morris) 2. Brighter Than The Sun (feat. Walker Hayes) 3. Bubbly (feat. Amos Lee) 4. Kinda Single (feat. Lee Brice) 5. Live Without (feat. Maddie & Tae) 7. Circles (feat. Gavin DeGraw) 8. Realize (feat. Mitchell Tenpenny) 9. Lucky (feat. Jason Mraz) 10. Try (feat. Hillary Scott) 11. I Never Told You (feat. Chris Young) 12. Can't Say No (feat. Ryan Hurd) 13. If You Love Me Let Me Go (feat. Russell Dickerson) Release Date: 26th September Record Label: Blue Jean Baby Records Buy ‘This Time Around' right here
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