So aside from being a lover of food, I'm an even bigger lover of music! Ever since I was small I have been influenced by music. I grew up listening to all types of music, creating my own dances, and having dreams of being a music artist. Over the years I've developed an eclectic taste in music, and I truly believe there is something about good music that can touch your soul. It can make you connect with the person behind the mic, and if you close your eyes you can make your own meaning to the words being said. I was recently given the opportunity to review musician Mat Kearney's new album Young Love, and this album will definitely make you close your eyes and smile.
About The Artist & Album
You know how you hear a song somewhere and love it, but you don't know who sings it or where you heard it? Well that is exactly the relationship I have with a few of Mat's songs. After doing some light research I found that this is Mat Kearney's 3rd album (although it could be considered his 4th), and his songs have been featured on several TV shows including multiple episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Some other interesting tidbits about Mat are that he was born in Oregon, he went to college in Chico, CA, and later moved to Nashville to make music after helping a friend move there.
Young Love was released on August 2nd, 2011, and debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart at #4! Currently it is at #1 among Billboard's Christian Albums, #4 in Rock, and #6 in Digital. If you're an iTunes lover, it's sitting at #23 among the Top Albums (8-22-11).
Young Love Tracks:
1 Hey Mama
2 Ships In The Night
3 Count On Me
4 Sooner Or Later
5 Chasing The Light
6 Learning To Love Again
7 Down
8 She Got The Honey
9 Young Dumb And In Love
10 Rochester
11 Seventeen
My Thoughts On The Album
Upon listening to these tracks for the first time I was impressed. It starts off with the albums first single Hey Mama; an upbeat, fun, and hand clapping song that will make you want to dance. I really love all of the songs and I feel like there is something that everyone can relate to in some way. The album is appropriately titled Young Love. Every song is in some way related to love. From first loves, to learning to love, he finds a way to touch on those points in your life. If you've ever been in love this album will take you back to when you first fell in love with "the one," and it may also remind you of loves struggles.
There is a unique blend of music styles in Mat's songs, and they make you feel good when you listen to them. He's in the rock genre on iTunes, but you can hear other influences in his music. The whole album is infused with rock, pop, hip hop, and country roots while his smooth yet a slightly rough voice adds something extra to each song You can hear the hip hop sounds in songs like "Ships In The Night" and "She Got The Honey." And you can really hear the Nashville influence in "Learning To Love Again." My favorite song on the album, besides the ones that make me want to dance, is "Seventeen." It's one of the ballads and it reminds me of how innocent and scared people can feel as teens, and how experiences we have as adults can take us back to that point in our lives.
Young Love is definitely something I can imagine begin played on those spontaneous road trips, while you're having fun and feeling free! Or when you need something that makes you feel good to get your day started. Highly recommend!
Reminds me of:
John Mayer
Jack Johnson
Citizen Cope
Gavin DeGraw
Additional Links
Here is the video to "Hey Mama" if you're curious about this man!
Check out Mat's tour dates starting in September!
Have you heard of Mat before? If so, are you a fan? If you haven't check him out, and let me know what you think. I love comments!
Until next time...
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this album to review as part of the One2Onenetwork. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
