Parmalee: ‘For You’ – Album Review

Parmalee’s highly anticipated album For You, out today, July 30, featuring thirteen brand new tracks. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Fans have been awaiting platinum-selling country band, Parmalee’s next full-length project, since the release of their number one single with Blanco Brown “Just The Way.” Today, Parmalee officially released their brand new album For You, featuring thirteen great tracks.

Pushing the boundaries of country music, Parmalee manages to infuse southern storytelling with pop hooks and urban influences throughout the project. The record kicks off with the ultimate love song “Only You.” A ballad, the track will make any listener swoon with romance.

“I love the way your accent comes out when you’re talking to your mama // how you act like you don’t know you’re hot in your pajamas // and the way that you kiss me when I’m drinking whiskey with you // I love the way that we take it downtown on Fridays // easy on them Sundays”

Romance is a clear trend on the new record. Similar to “Only You,” Parmalee wears their hearts on their sleeves on songs like “Take My Name” and “Backroad Girl.” The former is all about finding the one and wanting to wife them up. The latter is a fun-loving country song. It definitely has radio appeal. “I Do” also showcases that romantic element, but with more urban influences. Parmalee tries to win over a girl on the sweet track.

“Just The Way”, featuring one of our current favorites, Blanco Brown, sits in the second spot on the track-list. The song found its way to the number one spot on the charts back in March and for good reason. Written by Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, and Nolan Sipe, “Just The Way” is a song that encourages acceptance and loving people for who they are.”

Similarly, “Greatest Hits” is another song that boasts equality amongst the music industry. The country band sings about how we as people collect music over the course of life. Written as a love song, the real story is the love song to music as the soundtrack to our lives.

“Falling in love to your mixtape // Got your country from your hometown // Hip-hop from your college crowd // and rock and roll from your daddy’s old 45s // Got your Motown from your mama’s soul //Makes me want to hold you close”

Parmalee also leans into how it feels to lose the one you love on vulnerable songs, “Miss You Now,” and “Forget You.” “Miss You Now” tells the story of a broken relationship, recounting all those moments you wish you could relive or redo. The song is painful, yet relatable. “Forget You,” featuring Avery Anna is equally as thought-provoking. The song depicts how it feels to be in the furrows of heartbreak in a raw and emotive way.

Finally, the band makes the transition from raw emotion to fun and live-show-ready songs with the last two tracks on the record, “I’ll Take The Chevy” and the title track “For You.” Though slower-paced, “For You” is the ‘thank you’ letter to fans camouflaged as a love song. It is the perfect song to end the album with. 

“We feel most authentic and our best as a band when we feel like we’re having a conversation with the audience. That’s what we really narrowed in on for this album and leaned into what makes Parmalee sound like Parmalee—it’s all based on our connection to the fans,” said the band’s Matt Thomas in a recent press release. “For You is an album for the fans — the ones who’ve supported us for years, and the new ones we’re getting to know every day.”

It is safe to say that Parmalee accomplished their goal with this record. Each song feels distinctively them and comes with its own unique flavor. Kudos to Parmalee for their record!

FOR YOU Tracklist:

NYCS Picks:

1. “Greatest Hits”
2. “Just The Way”
3. “Forget You”
4. “For You”

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