Drake Milligan: ‘Dallas/Fort Worth’ – Debut Album Review

Drake Milligan’s brand new debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth is out today, September 15th, on all streaming platforms. Learn about the record and take a listen below.

A little over a year ago, we introduced you to rising artist and singer-songwriter, Drake Milligan. Today, Milligan is bringing more music into the world. His debut album, cleverly named, Dallas/Fort Worth is out now.

The fourteen-song project, all co-written by the singer, features songs for the heartbroken, songs for the in-love, and of course, songs for every country music fan. Milligan cleverly split the project in two. In the first half, Dallas features more modern country songs, while Fort Worth is all about traditional country. According to the singer in a recent interview for Taste of Country, “My goal was to bring those same distinctions to the two parts of this album. On Dallas, the songs have a little more polish on their boots. On Fort Worth, there are nods to those traditional Honky-Tonkin’, Western swingin’, cowboy culture roots that I’m based in.” The influences are definitely evident on the project.

The record kicks off with “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” his single heading to country radio next week! Featuring Milligan’s country-rock charm, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” is an enticing jam.

“I never had a reason, girl // To go ’round lookin’ for a fire to walk through // It ain’t like me to want somebody // Rearrangin’ all my want-to’s // I ain’t the kind to settle down // And let myself get wrapped around // Somebody’s finger, but if I had you // Baby, sounds like somethin’ I’d do”

Milligan keeps the energy going with the next song on the project, “Kiss Goodbye All Night.” On, “Hating Everything She Tries On,” one of our favorites on the album, the singer slows it down a bit, reflecting on how his girl is having a hard time finding what to wear. It is a sweet twist on the things you love about your partner. Milligan continues to profess his love on the first of two ballads on the first half of the project, “She” and “Dance of a Lifetime”. A standout track, “She” is an eloquent depiction of when a man loves a woman. The latter, “Dance of a Lifetime” is also a standout track, a true embodiment of love.

The singer ups the tempo again on “Bad Day To Be A Beer,” a clever party song, perfect for summer and tailgates. However, on “Hearts Don’t Break Even,” Milligan tells the touching, yet melancholy story of heartbreak at the end of a relationship, even if both parties agree to break up.

As Milligan switches gears to the Fort Worth part of the record, he lets the rowdy out with the opening two tracks, “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinking'” and “Tipping Point.” The rowdy comes out again on his song, “Long Haul.”

However, on “Don’t Look Down,” Milligan taps back into his romantic side. The song feels like it would fit in effortlessly with the love songs from his old-school predecessors like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Milligan continues to bring that traditional style into the next song off the project, the only collaboration. The singer enlists Vince Gill on the banjo-heavy song “Goin’ Down Strong.”

Milligan leans back into the heartbreak of it all with the track “Save It For A Sunny Day,” while the final track on the album, “Cowboy Kind of Way” fully commits to country love and living.

Dallas/Fort Worth is an album that showcases true artistry and talent. Milligan creates a story throughout all of the fourteen songs while allowing each half its own spotlight. It is clear from his debut that Milligan is steadfast in his journey as a country singer-songwriter and entertainer. He is where he is meant to be.

Drake Milligan – Dallas/Fort Worth Tracklist:

1. “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” (Drake Milligan/Brett Beavers/Terry McBride)
2. “Kiss Goodbye All Night” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/ Josh Jenkins/Phil O’Donnell)
3. “Hating Everything She Tries On” (Drake Milligan/Brent Anderson/Lynn Hutton)
4. “She” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/John Pierce)
5. “Bad Day to Be a Beer” (Drake Milligan/Marv Green/JT Harding)
6. “Hearts Don’t Break Even” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Liz Rose)
7. “Dance of a Lifetime” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Phil O’Donnell)

 

1. “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’” (Drake Milligan/Brice Long/Brett Beavers)
2. “Tipping Point” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Terry McBride/Josh London)
3. “Don’t Look Down” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/John Pierce)
4. “Goin’ Down Swingin’” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Phil O’Donnell
5. “Save It for a Sunny Day” (Drake Milligan/Marv Green/Tim Nichols)
6. “Long Haul” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Bob DiPIero
7. “Cowboy Kind of Way” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Terry McBride)

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