Take a look at Brett Young‘s hits, and they are almost entirely emotional ballads. Young, who is talented enough to sing just about anything, has had hit singles like “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Here Tonight,” “Lady,” “Mercy,” and more. Some artists might not want to be known for one style of music. Fortunately, Young isn’t most artists.
“The reason that I fell in love with country music way before any of my friends in Southern California was because of the love song,” Young shares. “The reason that my first concert was Boyz 2 Men was because of the love song. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic and kind of a dork about it. So, it’s flattering and exciting, ’cause it wasn’t intended.”
Young, who is back at radio with “Drink With You,” admits his success with ballads is a happy, albeit unexpected, part of his career he could have never anticipated.
“We didn’t go into this and go, ‘We’re gonna put a whole record together, but we’re only sending the ballads to radio.’ That wasn’t the plan,” Young concedes. “It’s just kind of the way it worked out. And so, I love that tag and I’ll take it all day long.”
Brett Young’s ‘2.0’ Album
Young’s latest album, 2.0, is out now. The record, Young’s fifth, is in many ways an exciting new chapter for Young, who co-wrote all 11 songs on the record.
“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.”
For 2.0, Young made sure all of the songs are personal, and relatable to him, including “That Ain’t Yours,” “Who I Do It For,” and more.
“It’s more about the songwriting again, and I dig this,” Young tells American Songwriter. “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.”
Brett Young Focuses On His Health
2.0 is not just a new chapter musically for Young, but. physically as well. Young gave up alcohol, focusing on being in the best health he can possibly be, both for his career, and for his wife Taylor, and their two young daughters.
“I just decided that [alcohol] was not serving me at all,” Young tells Muscle & Fitness. “In fact, it’s doing nothing but make life more difficult.”
“There’s been a lot of changes in my life in terms of health and wellness and fitness over the last 18, 19 months that kind of have turned into this new 2.0 version of myself,” he continues. “Having young children at home, and starting to get older, you start to realize—with so much more knowledge about what is good and bad for you these days. I did a deep dive into how to become the best version of myself possible. That meant longevity and being around for my kids as long as possible.”
Find 2.0 and all of Young’s music and upcoming shows at BrettYoungMusic.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Shorefire