Griffen Palmer: ‘Unlearn’ Album Review
Griffen Palmer makes his debut with his new album, Unlearn, officially out now, April 28th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
Nearly three years ago, Griffen Palmer won NBC’s songwriting competition show, Songland, with his song, “Second Guessing,” which was then released and recorded by Florida Georgia Line. Now signed to Big Loud Records, the singer-songwriter is releasing his debut album, Unlearn, a ten song collection of pure pop country.
With an accessible and smooth voice and a knack for witty wordsmithing, Palmer’s debut is a solid collection of pop country perfection. Produced by mega hitmaker Joey Moi, the album features ten songs co-written by Palmer, including “Second Guessing,” “Unlearn,” and a host of new tracks.
For the Ontario native, Unlearn represents the culmination of a lifelong dream. “I’ve been dreaming of putting out my own album for as long as I can remember, and it is finally happening,” he shares. “My debut album Unlearn comes out April 28th. I’m equal parts amazed and proud of how it has all turned out. I can’t wait for you to hear it!”
Much of Unlearn was crafted with GRAMMY-nominated hitmaker Geoff Warburton during the height of Covid, as the pair buckled down in a Canadian cabin and wrote 30 to 40 songs over several weeks, including the ten that make up this album.
The title track is an immediate standout, as Palmer grapples with being a kid child of divorce and the ways in which it affects a new relationship. “This one meant a lot to me when we wrote it, and that feeling grows for me every time we play it,” He shares. “It’s a song that I really needed when I was younger, so I’m hoping that people out there that feel like I did when I was a kid might hear it now. I just hope it makes them feel understood.”
Here, he’s determined to not make the same mistakes as his parents. “I’m closer to knowing // What love really is // Memories take // A while to reverse // You got me believing // These songs that I’ve heard,” He sings. “I didn’t know it // But baby you showed me // That I’ve got a lot to unlearn”
Likewise, his Songland-winning tune, “Second Guessing” is a perfect mid-tempo ballad that allows him to musically declare the old adage that “when you know, you know.” Despite being previously-recorded by FGL, Palmer breathes new life into the track, seeming more sincere as his mellow and soothing voice perfectly conveys the meaning behind the lyrics. “But since I met you // I ain’t spent one second guessing,” He proclaims. “Cause I’ve turned days into nights and spent all of my life asking questions // Now I don’t spend one second guessing”
“25 to Life” is another huge hit in the making, a lush ballad just made for weddings and special moments that is certain to climb the radio charts. Here, he compares loving someone to a crime, but in a way that’s endlessly endearing. “‘Cause if loving you’s a crime,” he muses. “Give me twenty five to life with you.”
Much of the album deals with the two main truths of life: love lost and love found. Songs like “Put Me Through Hello,” “How Many Beers,” “By the Way” and “Small Town After All” all deal with the former, Palmer nursing a broken heart through exceedingly clever lyrics.
On “Put Me Through Hello,” he’s trying to move on, but knows he’ll inevitably be on the receiving end of a drunk dial, while on “By the Way,” he admits, “I still love you by the way.” “How Many Beers” has him pondering how much drinking will allow him to move on, while “Small Town After All” has him dealing with the logistics that go with breaking up in a small town, as he cleverly turns the idea of a small world into a small town, proclaiming that “it’s a small town after all.”
While “How Many Beers” may be a breakup song, “Bottles on the Table” is quite the opposite, a synth-leaning track that finds him wondering if there’s more than bottles on the table between him and a lucky lady. Likewise, “Came Here to Leave” channels Chris Young’s “Getting You Home,” as he sets the stage for a romantic night. “So let’s finish these drinks,” he croons. “‘Cause baby we know that we only came here to leave.”
With a smooth voice, country hooks, and incredibly impressive lyrics, Griffen Palmer’s debut album Unlearn is a surefire way to introduce him to a legion of new fans. In fact, there’s no “Second Guessing” that he’s bound to be a huge star.
Unlearn Track List:
- Second Guessing (Griffen Palmer, Corey Crowder, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Shane McAnally, Ben Simonetti, Ryan Tedder, Geoff Warburton)
- 25 To Life (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- Unlearn (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- Put Me Through Hello (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- By The Way (Griffen Palmer, Jordan Reynolds, Geoff Warburton)
- Small Town After All (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- Came Here To Leave (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- Late To The Party (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- How Many Beers (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
- Bottles On The Table (Griffen Palmer, Geoff Warburton)
Country Swag Picks:
- Unlearn
- Second Guessing
- 25 to Life
- Bottles on the Table
Griffen Palmer releases his new record, ‘Unlearn,’ out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Griffen Palmer releases.
For tour dates and more, visit his website here.
To keep up with Griffen Palmer, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Unlearn is 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.
