Country trio Lady Antebellum are one of the biggest acts in the world. With four US Country number one albums under their belt, three of which also hit number 1 on the Billboard 200, theyāve sold more than 10 million albums in the US alone. Their last album Golden didnāt quite reach the dizzying highs of their previous albums becoming the only album release from the group so far not to pass platinum sales. Nearly 18 months on from that album the group is back with new album 747.
Weāre going to be upfront and say weāve never really been huge fans of Lady Antebellum. Past the bandās signature hit Need You Now weāve never been all that bothered by their output. Thatās why it came as a complete surprise just how much we enjoyed 747. For the first time we feel like Lady Antebellum are letting loose and switching up their sound to try new things. The renewed energy of the trio and their decision to take a few risks has really paid off.
747 opens with the punchy country-rock track Long Stretch of Love which showcases the bandās trademark harmonies and gives them a little more edge than weāve previously heard from them. As if to prove that stepping out of their comfort zone isnāt a one-time thing, all of the tracks on 747 are worthy of your ears and time. US lead single Bartender combines catchy hooks with a strong chorus that reminds you how good the band are when they hit their sweet spot.
The UK is getting Lie With Me as the albumās lead single and it makes sense why. The track doesnāt sound quite as country as some of the other tracks on the record so itās likely to work better at radio. Honestly itās not one of our favourite tracks on the record but itās pleasant enough.
Elsewhere on the album the midtempo Sounded Good at the Time is a highlight, Freestyle is a rootsy country track with the bandās harmonies driving the melody, and Damn You Seventeen is an acoustic ballad with beautiful vocals that will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
Our favourite moment on the record comes on the harmony-filled ballad Down South. The track finds the best lamenting about their hometowns and remembering their roots. Album closer Just A Girl is another highlight with its driving beat, guitar solos and strong vocals from Hillary Scott.
747 is easily the best record Lady Antebellum has released to date. We like the variety of the sounds on the record and you can feel the energy from the band pouring out of your speakers. There isnāt a bad track on the record and from this point on weāll be paying much closer attention to Lady Antebellum. 747 is a fine country record and should see the band claim back the commercial success that faltered a little on their last record Golden.