Country artist Chase Bryant delivers a well-rounded, enjoyable new single with the nonchalant, “Hell If I Know.”

Country musicians can only be so explicit.  Sure, they swear, but musically speaking, only certain swear words go. F-bombs aren’t acceptable in any form or fashion.  That’s just the way it is. So, while WTF isn’t possible, what the hell is, as well as most forms of H-E-double-hockey-sticks.  The point? Country singer Chase Bryant can get away with baby-cussing on his latest single, “Hell If I Know.” Still, probably not something you want to say to mom or dad – at least in the household I grew up in.

“Hell If I Know” is mid-tempo, featuring a very clean sound on the verse.  From the start, “Hell If I Know” embodies the country idiom, yet doesn’t totally disregard others given the underlying groove.  Still, there’s banjo, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars – definitely country instrumentation.  Vocally, Bryant has a nice tone, matching the clarity exhibited on the verses.  He has a little twang going on, but it’s not particularly pronounced.  It’s amplified a bit more on the chorus, as is his energy level when he gets to cuss a little.

Cons, cons, where you at? Bryant has a lot of pros working for him, so there’s not much to criticize.  Certainly, “Hell If I Know” isn’t the song of the year – plenty of tunes have been written with the same sort of nonchalant attitude over the years.  As much as Bryant might like to claim fame as being the chief amongst them uttering “hell, if I know,” he wouldn’t be the first.  Still, clichés aside, its well-rounded, brief, and enjoyable.  “Hell, if I” can find any more objections.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Chase Bryant, give yourself a pat on the back.  “Hell If I Know” checks off all boxes.  It’s not game changing – no more muscles are gained – but sometimes, it’s okay to flex a well-defined bicep.  Flex on Chase, flex on.

Chase Bryant • Hell If I Know – Single • Red Bow • Release: 8.18.17

Photo Credit: Red Bow