Brett Young: ‘2.0’ Album Review

With the release of 2.0, Brett Young is ready to turn the page and start a new chapter. On his fourth studio album, released via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, the California native co-penned all eleven tracks, pairing emotive storytelling with his classic vocal styling.

“It’s always my goal to be real and transparent and connect with my audience, whether that means writing a song about what happened yesterday or revisiting past experiences,” shares Young. “It should always be about a connection with the listeners. 2.0 feels really special to me, and I’m very proud of it. I hope it makes people want to come out and see the live show even more.”

Featuring songs co-written with the likes of Ashley Gorley, Jimmy Robbins, Jon Nite, Jesse Frasure, Riley Green, and more, the album is a new collection that Young feels best represents this stage of his life and musical journey. From the opening chords of “Drink With You” to the final notes of a reimagined duet version of “In Case You Didn’t Know,” it’s evident that 2.0 may be Young’s most personal album to date.

Love and family are the most prevalent themes on the LP, kicking off with “Drink With You,” a mid-tempo pedal and steel laden jaunt about giving in to an unavoidable temptation.

“Girl, I know the way this goes down You slide on closer after every round // Won’t be long before the truth comes out // We get to buzzin’, our lips get to touchin’ // With the whiskey and the way you tease //You’ll wind up wakin’ up next to me // And if that ain’t somethin’ you wanna do // I just can’t drink with you”

Songs like “Kiss to Forget,” “You Still Got It,” and “Tastes Like You” find him dealing with heartbreak and an inability to move on. These truly show Young at his finest, his impassioned voice perfectly accompanying heartbroken lyrics. “‘Kiss To Forget’ is a song written to the one who got away. Telling her that anybody else he tries to be with, no matter how perfect, just won’t work,” shares Young. “He lost the only person for him and the best he can do moving forward is to hope to find some kind of distraction from the one he really wants.” 

While the singer-songwriter shines on heartbreak, he can also turn up the charm on flirty anthems like “Goodnight Into Good Morning,” “That Ain’t Yours,” and “Say Less.” On “That Ain’t Yours,” he muses about someone who’s stolen his heart and so much more, while “Say Less” is all about being in lockstep with someone you love. ​​“‘Say Less’ is a song about two people in a relationship being on the same page, wanting the same things and being completely in sync. We wanted to write something that was fun and sexy but still had a heartfelt romantic side to it,” shares Young. “This song is about a couple that completely gets each other and prefers time alone together over a night out on the town.”

With two little girls at home, “What I Do It For” and “Full House” both find Young embracing fatherhood, family life, and the conflicts that come along with those changes. “Full House” touches on the love at first site that comes with a first baby. It’s a gorgeous ballad about the contentment and peace that comes along with filling out a family, while also wishing time would slow down. “Ever since the day we met you, I can’t imagine life without you // You made these four walls feel like home some how // Full hands, full heart, full house.”

Likewise, “What I Do It For” pairs him with Lady A on the bittersweet ode to longing to make a better life for your kids, while also missing out on the little moments. It’s reminiscent of Lady A’s own song, “What I’m Leaving For,” as they harmonize, “I’m doing all I can to give them everything // Everything I never had and more // I hope they know, they’re who I do it for.”

In addition to Lady A, Young enlists two rising stars to share the proverbial stage on his album, trading verses with Geoge Birge on “You Don’t Know What You’re Missing” and Hannah McFarland on the re-recorded duet version of “In Case You Didn’t Know.” While adding McFarland’s gorgeous voice to the megahit only breathes new life into it, the Birge collaboration is a clear standout. One the sparse ballad, the pair trade advice like old friends, with Young stepping in as the wiser Yoda-like figure.

On 2.0, it’s evident that Brett Young is stepping into his career more confident and passionate than ever before. The collection takes listeners on a journey of life, love, and everything in-between, and we can’t wait to see what comes next for him, both personally and professionally.

Country Swag Picks:

1. Kiss To Forget
2. Who I Do It For (with Lady A)
3. Full House
4. You Don’t Know What You’re Missing (with George Birge)

2.0 Tracklist:

1. Drink With You (Brett Young, Jesse Frasure, Tony Lucca, Emily Weisband)
2. Kiss To Forget (Brett Young, Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins)
3. Who I Do It For (featuring Lady A) (Brett Young, Jon Nite, Kyle Schlienger)
4. Goodnight Into Good Morning (Brett Young, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins)
5. That Ain’t Yours (Brett Young, Adam Hambrick, Jimmy Robbins)
6. You Don’t Know What You’re Missing (featuring George Birge) (Brett Young, Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jon Nite)
7. Full House (Brett Young, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite)
8. Tastes Like You (Brett Young, Justin Ebach, Noah Needleman, Jon Nite)
9. You Still Got It (Brett Young, Dave Pittenger, Justin Wilson)
10. Say Less (Brett Young, Ben Caver, Justin Ebach)
11. In Case You Didn’t Know 2.0 (featuring Hannah McFarland) (Brett Young, Tyler Reeve, Kyle Schlienger, Trent Tomlinson)

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For tour dates and more, visit Young’s official website here.

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2.0 is out now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.