Review: ‘Famous Friends’ – Chris Young

Chris Young’s latest offering is littered with catchy melodies and clever lyrics. The Tennessee native has amassed 5 billion career streams and 11 number one singles but he opens a new chapter of success with this latest record.

The 14 track collection features a range of famous friends of Young’s such as Kane Brown, who features on the title track which was released late last year. The song written by Young, Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe performed well on the charts which is no surprise as the pair’s voices work so well together and the hook gets stuck in your head for days after first listen. It’s not the only ear worm on the album though, or the only collaboration Town Ain’t Big Enough features country powerhouse Lauren Alaina. The duet is beautiful as both artists pack emotion into their voices, though the small-town theme is common in country music, they reimagine this classic saying and make the story their own.

For all the upbeat, toe-tapping numbers there’s a fair few tear-jerkers too; Drowning explores the theme of losing a loved one too soon whilst Break Like You Do is about struggling to move on after a break up. Meanwhile, the ballad Love Looks Good On You feels like the perfect first dance song. The production throughout the record is slick and Young’s vocals have never sounded stronger. This is evident in the collaboration he does with Mitchell Tenpenny, At the End of a Bar features a big chorus with both men passionately belting out the lyrics that are tied to soaring melodies. A range of co-writers work with Young on this record, like Hillary Lindsey, who also provides backing vocals alongside Shay Mooney from Dan and Shay. Production credits go to Corey Crowder, Chris Destefano and Mark Holman as well as Young himself.

‘Famous Friends’ really does feel like a collaborative and cohesive effort between country music’s finest artists, writers and producers. It feels like for many, this could be the soundtrack to the summer!