Thomas Rhett's Life Changes may be the most aptly titled album of 2017. The new father of two has now released his third studio album, has already gone to number one on the US Country Airplay chart with Craving You, and is set to keep that momentum going.
Life Changes is a monster album, with 14 total tracks, guest appearances by his dad, Rhett Akins, on Drink A Little Beer and Maren Morris on the CMA Musical Event and Music Video of the Year nominated, Craving You, and the potential for as many as 7 or more radio singles. From start to finish, this is unmistakably a Thomas Rhett album, in all the best ways.
Note: if Thomas Rhett truly is announcing a comeback record from his pops, Rhett Akins, on Drink A Little Beer, we're excited about it and ready for it!
Life Changes is an album that isn't afraid to take chances. Just like he did on his last record, Tangled Up, Thomas Rhett mixes in his own personal style with the country music he grew up on. The title track and Smooth Like The Summer are perfect examples, with different vibes, they both bring a beat in the background and unique touch, and they're both reminiscent of the feelings I got when I first heard Crash And Burn.
At the risk of being too bold on the prediction front... I'm going to say here and now that Marry Me, the fifth track on the album, is poised to be a number one single if Rhett and his team make the decision to release it to radio. The heartbreaking story is pure country, dripping with emotion, sadness, and 'play it on repeat in the dark while drinking whiskey' potential.
Thomas Rhett has become a leading man in country music. With headlining tour dates, a 2017 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nomination, and eight number one singles on the US Country Airplay charts, he's made it. And with this third album putting him firmly in the country music spotlight, still only at the age of 27 years old, he's got the opportunity to stay there for a long time to come.
One of my favourite moments on the record comes during Life Changes when Rhett rhymes, "And I wrote a little song about holding her hand/ And now everybody wanna die happy, man". It's autobiographical, it's sweet, and (to me) it's perfect.
There are other highlights, lyrics, and tracks that I could go on and on about, but it comes down to this... Life Changes is a country record that will take you from feeling emotional to feeling like you want to dance. It tells stories, it takes changes, and it plays for more than 45 minutes of listening pleasure. Pressing play and letting the music wash over you is a great decision if you're a Thomas Rhett fan, a country fan, or if you're looking to broaden your musical horizons.
Thomas Rhett, Life Changes Tracklist
