Kenny Chesney: ‘Here And Now Deluxe’ – Album Review
Kenny Chesney’s Here And Now Deluxe Album is available now, May 7th, everywhere you buy or stream music. Read our full album review and check out the new music below.
Kenny Chesney’s ‘Here And Now Deluxe Album’, is out now May 7th
Last May, eight-time Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney released his 18th studio album Here and Now, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced singles “Tip of My Tongue,” the title track, “Happy Does,” and its current single, “Knowing You.” On March 25th, Chesney announced some disappointing, but understandable news to his No Shoes Nation when he postponed the much anticipated Chillaxification Tour for the second straight year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, three days later he boosted our spirits with the announcement of a deluxe version of the album. On Friday, May 7th, fans got to listen to those four brand new songs, which include “Wind On,” “Fields of Glory,” “My Anthem,” and “Streets.”
“With ‘Knowing You’ finding its way up the charts, and so much music on Here And Now for people to still explore, there was all this music we’ve made,” he said in a recent press release. “I decided I didn’t want to wait for the next album. I wanted these four songs to be part of what Here And Now is – making Here And Now Deluxe maybe shows a little bit of a now we never saw coming.”
Even when Chesney explores more sensitive topics on this album, like on “Everyone She Knows” and “Someone to Fix,” they still promote an easy-listening vibe; these new tracks are no different. “Wind On” is an upbeat song about taking a ride and leaving all your worries behind. He reminds the listeners of the importance of living care-free on occasion. Penned by Rodney Clawson and Chesney’s good friend, David Lee Murphy, its simple lyrics and long, rocking instrumental at the end make this a fun, party song.
In the more mellow track, “Fields of Glory,” Chesney pays homage to literal fields–football and corn. He recollects on the sport, specifically going to the state championship, as well as summer nights with his friends–staying up late, sitting in truck beds, looking at the stars, and talking about the rest of their lives. Chesney has sung about his football career before, most notably on “Boys of Fall.”
“My Anthem,” written by Jason Gantt, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally, is a percussion-driven, pop-country love story about two teenagers trying to outrun their youth. The girl’s parents in the story were always fighting and the boys were making life decisions for him—they used each other as an escape from all of that. Sonically and lyrically, it’s reminiscent of “Setting the World on Fire,” his collaboration with P!nk from the Cosmic Hallelujah album.
In the final track, “Streets,” which Chesney wrote alongside Tom Douglas, he sings about life in the post-pandemic world. Throughout this powerful, uplifting, piano ballad, he highlights an average night in three cities, New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. In New York, two people find love in Time Square, the Yankees are at bat, Billy Joel is headlining the Garden, and all is well. In L.A., tourists are back taking pictures at the Hollywood sign, locals are surfing, people are in line at Disneyland, and all is well. In Nashville, lower Broadway bars are open, young artists are beginning their musical journey, and all is well.
“Faith believes when it can’t see // In who we are and who we’re gonna be // Our lady in the harbor shinin’ like a citadel // And on the streets of America // All is well”
Like so many artists over the past fourteen months, Chesney has used this time off to reflect on the people he loves and the things in life that bring him joy, which translated into new music that came straight from the heart of this Eastern Tennessee native.
“It’s funny what you learn when you’re forced to stop,” Chesney began. “I have always loved songs and songwriters, being in the studio with the most creative people. But over the last year, as much as I’ve loved making music – I always have, I’ve realized how much I truly live and breathe songs.”
Kenny Chesney – Here and Now Deluxe tracklist:
1. “We Do”
2. “Here and Now”
3. “Everyone She Knows”
4. “Wasted”
5. “Knowing You”
6. “Heartbreakers”
7. “Someone to Fix”
8. “Happy Does”
9. “Tip of My Tongue”
10. “You Don’t Get To”
11. “Beautiful World”
12. “Guys Named Captain”
13. “Wind On”
14. “Fields of Glory”
15. “My Anthem”
16. “Streets”
Although there will be no tour this summer, we can almost guarantee he will be back on the road next year. Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets for the Chillaxification Tour, as they will be valid for the 2022 date.
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Here And Now Deluxe is 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.
