
And the mandolin is back. Recently, Hunter Hayes has been trying hard to make it big in the UK, with the release of his I Want Crazy album, featuring songs from both his debut and sophomore records. He also released remixes of some of his hits, including a Ryan Tedder mix of "I Want Crazy," a pop version of "Tattoo," and an electropop/dubstep influenced remix of "Light Me Up." For a while there it seemed like he was going to pull a Taylor Swift and make a pop album. But this track places him firmly back in country music (or country pop).
A carefree party jam, this song chronicles the excitement and the exhilaration one feels finally turning 21, and when one is able to party, legally. Despite the fact that this is a fun summer song, Hayes refrains from mentioning a tailgate even though he has every right to in this song. Hayes could get mocked for being too teen-pop, or too country-Justin Bieber, but Hayes has class. He takes his music very seriously, plays over a dozen instruments, and can go two whole country records without having one true bro-county song on it. There is not another male musician in the business who can claim that.
With this track, Hayes marks the end of his teenage music. It seems as if Hayes is going to begin making more mature music, music that appeals more to people his age, instead of pre-teens and teenagers. There were glimpses of that new mature sound in his last record with "You Think You Know Somebody," "Secret Love" and "Flashlight," with their more introspective and mature outlooks on life. Like Red was Taylor Swift's last hurrah and goodbye to country music, this is Hayes' goodbye to music about being underage, young, and foolish.
Although there had not been an album #3 announced yet, it seems imminent. He spoken briefly about his next project being an EP, but that it truly depends on the fans. It is strange because Hayes released Storyline just last year. But Hayes has stressed that before anything else he is a musician, and this rapidness emphasizes that. Overall, this song is not spectacular, but just country enough to please country radio, and the fans.
Overall rating: 4 crowns
With this track, Hayes marks the end of his teenage music. It seems as if Hayes is going to begin making more mature music, music that appeals more to people his age, instead of pre-teens and teenagers. There were glimpses of that new mature sound in his last record with "You Think You Know Somebody," "Secret Love" and "Flashlight," with their more introspective and mature outlooks on life. Like Red was Taylor Swift's last hurrah and goodbye to country music, this is Hayes' goodbye to music about being underage, young, and foolish.
Although there had not been an album #3 announced yet, it seems imminent. He spoken briefly about his next project being an EP, but that it truly depends on the fans. It is strange because Hayes released Storyline just last year. But Hayes has stressed that before anything else he is a musician, and this rapidness emphasizes that. Overall, this song is not spectacular, but just country enough to please country radio, and the fans.
Overall rating: 4 crowns