Brett Kissel's fourth major-label album, Now Or Never is here to kick-off the new year and new decade with brand new music.
The Alberta-native has put together an eight-track release, headlined by 2019 Top 10 single, Drink About Me. From there he adds seven new songs that we didn't get in advance of the release. It's a departure from what we've become used to with multiple radio singles before the album comes. And we're okay with that change in things. Atta be, Brett.
The album is both familiar Brett Kissel and a new spin from the Juno and Canadian Country Music Association award winner. Songs like That's Country Music, Hummingbird, and Coffee With Her have a true country feel that ties directly back to the roots and influences that Kissel has always held onto in his career. They are storyteller songs in a slowed down, connected, singer-songwriter like presentation that lend themselves to country radio, slow dances, and letting yourself slip away into a daydream while you listen.
On December 19, we got our first look at the tracklist for Now Or Never and one question immediately popped into my head about the last song on the album.
Sees the tracklist for @brettkissel's new album - immediately wonders if Coffee With Her is a Johnny Cash reference... pic.twitter.com/fuNNki28gF
- thereviewsarein (@thereviewsarein) December 19, 2019
And on December 31, Brett supplied the answer...
#CoffeeWithHer - The 8th track from my new album #NowOrNever - Inspired by Johnny Cash's beautiful response to this question: "Describe paradise..." CASH: "This morning. With her. Having coffee." - Pre Order my new album NOW! (It'll directly download to your phone @ midnight!) pic.twitter.com/iAnkSkU2cS
- B R E T T K I S S E L (@BrettKissel) December 31, 2019
On the same album though, we get a little more tempo on songs like Young Enough and She Drives Me Crazy. These are still country songs, Brett can't get away from who he is as a singer or songwriter, so let's not get twisted on genre-policing and concern for Brett's musical direction. It's not like he hasn't released a banger or two in his career.
Both songs are catchy and will be great for fans to dance to at live shows when Kissel hits the road. But on She Drives Me Crazy it feels like he's diving a little deeper here into a newer sound and style and production. And from an artistic standpoint, it's cool to see because it means Brett and his co-writers and co-producer (Emma-Lee, Karen Kasowski / Jacob Durrett) were all in it with him and wanted to try something. They did. It made the record. And if I were to place a bet, I'd say that fans are going to learn the words and sing along.
And if you're looking for another fun sing-along, don't miss A Few Good Stories because we can already imagine loud voices and drinks in the air in the warm weather, surrounded by friends that you know how to have a good time with.
There's a stand out moment on the second to last song on Now Or Never that we can't skip when writing this post. I'm Not Him, I'm Not Her features American country artist on the rise, Christina Taylor (it's their second duet, after Taylor's single As Good As You Look) and, in my opinion, it has the chance to do big things if Kissel's team decides to send it to radio. It's also a song that's going to give Brett a chance to do some special things live if he's able to surprise his audiences with special guests for the duet. We don't know if that's something he's already thinking about, but Brett, if you're reading this, we hope you consider it.
It's been just over two years since We Were That Song was released in December 2017, and while he spent all kinds of time on the road playing live for fans across Canada, the appetite for a new album couldn't be denied. And now, Now Or Never is here and it's time to dig in.
Hit play on the album stream below and let it play. At 26-minutes long, you might just want to hit play again and listen for a second time when you're done.
Happy New Year and Happy New Music. Enjoy.
Brett Kissel, Now Or Never Tracklist
