Brett Young‘s 2.0 album is out. The 11-track record is Young’s first since Across the Sheets came out in 2023, and his fifth project overall. But Young hints that 2.0 is very different from anything he has released in the past.
“2.0 is a reflection of where I’m at right now as a husband, a dad, and someone who’s still learning and growing,” the father of two says. “These songs get into the highs and lows of love, the weight of heartbreak, and the responsibility and joy that come with family. It’s not just a follow-up to what I’ve done before. It’s a step forward. I hope people hear pieces of their own story in these songs, the way I see mine in them.”
Indeed, Young wasn’t at all trying to repeat his previous success when creating 2.0. Instead, the 44-year-old wanted to bring his fans on a new journey, while still staying true to who he is as a person and an artist.
“The goal is to keep giving the stuff that you gave your fans when you made them with your first record, while always giving a little bit of something new every time,” Young tells American Songwriter.
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Young co-wrote all of the songs on 2.0. Although he has not historically written every song on his previous projects, for 2.0, him being a writer on the songs was important to him.
“It’s more about the songwriting again, and I dig this,” Young says. “I didn’t get my chance at this before. The creative side of me gets excited about this. For people that are going, ‘There’s some songs that sound a little different,’ that’s not me trying to recreate me. That’s me being excited to stretch myself creatively.”
Lady A joins Young on “Who I Do It For,” a song that was inspired by Young’s daughters, five-year-old Presley, and Rowan, who is three.
“That was why I wanted to write it,” Young shares. “I’m always most interested in writing what I’m going through at the moment because I think that’s the easiest way to be the most authentic for your fans. ‘Who I Do It For’ is exactly what I’m feeling at this stage of my life.”
Also included on 2.0 is “That Ain’t Yours.” It’s a song Young wrote with Jon Nite and Kyle Schlienger, about his decision to not have a prenuptial agreement in his marriage to his wife Taylor, whom he wed in 2018.
“I said, ‘I’m not starting a marriage with a ‘If this doesn’t work out,’” Young explains. “I’m so not doing that. A song idea was born: when you get married, you’re not just sharing your heart; you’re sharing everything. Nothing against people that go in with all the contingency plans, but I’m the type that has to go all in. That’s one of my favorite, most romantic expressions of love.”
See a track list for 2.0 below. Young is currently on his Back to Basics World Tour. Find all of his music and upcoming shows at BrettYoungMusic.com.
2.0 Track Listing:
1. Drink With You
(Brett Young, Jesse Frasure, Tony Lucca, Emily Weisband)
2. Kiss To Forget
(Young, Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins)
3. Who I Do It For
(featuring Lady A) (Young, Nite, Kyle Schlienger)
4. Goodnight Into Good Morning
(Young, Nite, Robbins)
5. That Ain’t Yours
(Young, Adam Hambrick, Robbins)
6. You Don’t Know What You’re Missing
(featuring George Birge) (Young, Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Nite)
7. Full House
(Young, Ross Copperman, Nite)
8. Tastes Like You
(Young, Justin Ebach, Noah Needleman, Nite)
9. You Still Got It
(Young, Dave Pittenger, Justin Wilson)
10. Say Less
(Young, Ben Caver, Ebach)
11. In Case You Didn’t Know 2.0 (featuring Hannah McFarland)
(Young, Tyler Reeve, Schlienger, Trent Tomlinson)