Indie pop/rock artist, Mat Kearney, burst onto the music scene in 2006 with the release of his major-label debut which featured the hit singles, “Nothing Left to Lose” and “Undeniable”. Fast forward five years later and Kearney is coming back with the anticipated release of his fourth studio album titled Young Love, which has already found its way to the top of the iTunes chart since its official release on August 2nd. The effort stays true to the artist that Kearney is, featuring amazing vocals and catchy tracks that will make anyone smile. The ten track album is preceded by first single, “Hey Mama”, and is evidence that real talent just gets better and better with time.
The album begins with the hand-clapping infused, carefree first single, “Hey Mama”. The song sounds like classic Kearney, the sound the artist became famous for, but it carries a different tone and seems to be an experiment with new genres. The track is a great choice to open the project because it quickly draws the listener in and sets the pace for the rest of the track list. A simple, fun song with amazing vocals. The greatest aspect of “Ships in the Night” has to be the writing. The lyrics tell an uplifting and emotional story of life. The artist put everything he had into the song and you can tell by the performance that is heard. The track carries similarities to Kearney’s “Undeniable”, but a more somber vibe and feel are present here. The song is a great piece of work, no surprise this is a song shooting up the iTunes Top 100 chart. Some of “Count On Me” may drag a little at the beginning and the little kid voices may be weird, but the flawless chorus makes everything alright. The song is a cute track that just makes you want to rock your head and forget anything that is bringing you down. The track is about love and it seems that is the artist’s specialty. The song may not be amazing, but it allows the album to stay down a positive path. The album continues with “Sooner or Later”, a track that really showcases the immense talent that the artist possesses. The song does not rely on heavy beats or production, but stands strong because of the power in the vocals and the message of empowerment that lies beneath the lyrics. Kearney sings that everything will be okay with time and you cannot help but believe him after listening to this song. To be honest, my first impression of “Chasing the Light” was that it fell flat when compared to the tracks that preceded it. Nothing about the song stood out or justified a second listen. The track is nowhere near horrible, the writing and vocals are decent, but the song is just forgettable. I feel that more time was needed in the track’s creation or that it should have been left off the album. “Learning to Love Again” is a slow, mellow track dealing with relationships and everything that comes with them. The pace of the song may not please many listeners, but it really allows the song’s meaning to come through. The song is different from what is playing on the radio today; it is not an Auto-tuned wreck, but true musicianship at work. I enjoyed everything about the track and glad that it was included. Supported only by an acoustic guitar and a set of drums, Kearney excels on “Down”, a track so well written that the listener will surely be immersed in the story that is being told. Every piece of the song comes together perfectly in order to create a standout track on the album. The artist has a way with connecting with his audience and I feel that is way he has found success in the music industry. At first it may sound out of the place, but “She Got the Honey” keeps the album from coming off as a project that recycles the same material. Backed up by a Caribbean inspired beat, the artist describes a woman that any man would spend a fortune on. The song is a good one, but it should not be categorized as the artist’s best work. I feel people will be split on this one. “Young Dumb and in Love” takes on more of a rocker feel, but does not travel far from the cohesiveness the album has maintained up to this point. The track can only be classified as average, it will not be one that I am quick to hit repeat on, but it works. The song is catchy, contains a nice beat, and does everything that a track should do. The album closes with “Rochester”, the longest track off the entire effort. The song comes off as if it was a recording of a real, live performance. It sounds so effortless and emotion just comes pouring out of the vocals that are heard. The artist’s life is being put out for all to hear and I do not know what is more vulnerable than that; one hell of a job well done and a great closing track. Other versions of the album contain five extra tracks like “Seventeen” and “Head or Your Heart”, but those songs were not included in this review or its final rating.
Young Love is a project that showcases the talent of an amazing male artist with vocals that can rival almost anyone. The album shows off the same music that the artist has come to be known for; that music is near perfection. Mat Kearney has found a way to create stories within the lyrics to his songs in order to allow his listeners to become part of his journey. The effort does contain some memorable tracks that are filled with emotion and great vocals, but it does encounter some bumps along the way. For some heartfelt and catchy songs, and an artist that gets better with every release, the album receives an 85%.
Tracks to Hear: “Hey Mama”, “Ships in the Night”, and “Rochester”
Mat Kearney - Ships In the Night
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