Courtesy of Big Machine Label Group
Drake White‘s new album, which is set to be released on August 19th, is not one to simply pass over.
Of the many albums that we’ve have had the opportunity to listen to and review this year, White’s Spark easily finds itself among the very best.
Our friend recently commented, “There is no way it is better than Drake’s [the rapper] Views,” and while Views has gathered a variety of accolades in its own right, White’s Spark is through the roof.
With all but one song on this debut album written by White himself, these songs boast a meaningful and personal connection to the man who sings them to roaring crowds nightly. Spark displays White‘s versatility and talent as an artist, and moving forward, provides White with the flexibility to steer his career in whatever direction he desires.
Celeb Secrets Country is breaking down Spark track by track to show you why you need to pick up a copy when it his music retailers on August 19th. In the meantime, you can preorder it here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHFPGpEA_GS/?taken-by=drakewhitestomp&hl=en
“Heartbeat”- “Heartbeat” is the first song off of the album, bringing forth a stomping, upbeat rhythm that carries the listener through the song’s entirety. With a chorus that is sure to latch itself into the listener’s head, don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming the tune well after the song has finished playing. White’s lyrics are a testament to the importance of passion and how doing what you love should come naturally. It is a soulful and passionate anthem, one that will keep you coming back for more.
“Story”- “Story” has a folk and traditional country feel to it, but it is still upbeat. The song conveys the idea that our own lives translate to our own personal stories. These journeys are rarely without difficulty, but these trials provide a common struggle, one that can provide a beautiful personal narrative.
“Makin’ Me Look Good Again”- As soon as I heard this song, I knew immediately that my mom would adore it. It is a slower, jazz-influenced song, with a Marvin Gaye feel and a Chris Stapleton and Gavin DeGraw type of twist. “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” shows off White’s raw vocal talent, making me wish that he had taken more opportunities to push his vocals. The tone and emotional feel to this song is very similar to Anderson East‘s “Devil In Me,” a comparison that carries a good bit of weight here in Nashville.
“It Feels Good”- This song brings forth a gospel-feel, more so than any other track on this album. A contagious melody and rhythm leaves little question as to why this was chosen as a radio single for White. While the instrumental arrangement and production evoke a raw, organic feel, there remains very present elements of modern country. This tune bridges the gap between country and gospel, combining the best elements of both. It is currently on the radio and you can listen to “It Feels Good” below!
“Livin’ the Dream”– This song is also currently on the radio and is a guaranteed summer playlist hit! I put this song on repeat more often than I’d like to admit, a testament to just how incredible of a song this is. The groove is just fast enough to be perfect to jam out to in the car, but also slow enough to sing along to. I love the message behind this song, with White wanting to bring attention to the beauty that can be found in our daily routine. “Livin’ the Dream“ is about loving the small wonders in life that we too often overlook.
“I Need Real”- “I Need Real” has more of an acoustic and live feel, which subtly supports the overall theme of the song. White expresses he wants to feel something genuine and real, something he feels is a bit too rare in our fast-paced society. He wants the highs and lows of a normal relationship, rather than something two-faced and surface-level. The more I listen to this song, the more I enjoy and relate to it!
“Back to Free”- “Back to Free” is a song about wanting to feel connected to bliss and the desire to find your true self again. White describes a freedom often felt when we were kids, a nostalgic endeavor back to more simple days. The song also reinforces how crucial it is to stay grounded and to maintain a proper perspective of your current life and relationships.
“Equator”- Lyrically, it is a witty song and it is very cute. However, it is my least favorite song on the album. It is still very good, but I find that it falls short compared to the rest of the album. White seems to have attempted to bring forth elements of many different genres and influences. However, because of this, the song feels a bit confused and forced, especially when compared to the rest of the album as a whole.
“Live Some”- This is a song where you will be singing along to the chorus in a matter of minutes. It is a song essentially about how you just got to keep on moving through everything in your life.
“Waitin’ On The Whiskey To Work”- This is one of the raspier and darker songs on the album. It conveys the desire to escape from the pain of heartbreak, regardless of the means. This is a rare decision for White to delve into a side of life that many would prefer to ignore or avoid. However, it is exactly this departure from his upbeat album that makes this specific tune so impactful.
“Elvis”- This is personally one of my favorite songs off of the album. The instrumentals remind me of the instrumentals off of Eric Church‘s Chief album. The song is about how hard work doesn’t just come to those who sit around and wait for it. A great, simple message, delivered in an excellent song.
“Take Me As I Am”- This is by far the catchiest song on the album. I have little doubt that this song in particular will get an incredible amount of radio play upon release. When I listened to it for the first time, I was able to sing along half way through. It’s one of those songs that stick with you — a tune that you will hate to turn off.
