Thomas Rhett, Country Again (Side A) | Album Review 💿

Thomas Rhett returns to his country roots on Country Again (Side A) and delivers a truly consistent, well-rounded, and enjoyable album. 

So, did you cry a little when you heard that 💿 Country Again (Side A) was going to be a more traditional country album and not a pop album? 🎙 Thomas Rhett, how could you??? The 🏆 Grammy-nominated musician, of course, is known for being one of the more adventurous country artists, dipping into pop and R&B.  However, with Country Again (Side A), like the title suggests, he’s making a return to his country roots.  Sometimes shifts in a musician’s career can be bad, but in this case, Thomas’ return to a more traditional brand of contemporary country, is quite successful from start to finish.

“Want It Again”

Thomas Rhett kicks off Country Again (Side A) masterfully with ✅ 🎵 “Want It Again.” On this narrative driven number, Rhett reminisces on a relationship that ended up not working out (“Yeah, they say young love just don’t last / Well, it looks like they were right about that”).  Ultimately, through much of the song, Rhett hopes to rekindle the love. By the bridge, we begin to see reunification going down, with the final chorus finding Rhett confirming, “And, oh, I knew someday you’d find / Your way back into my arms / So girl, I kept this heart of mine / Somewhere good and safe.”

After an awesome opener, Thomas Rhett keeps a good thing going on ✅ 🎵 “Growing Up.” A record that finds him reflecting on getting older, just listening to the record, we hear a more thoughtful, mature approach overall.  On this standout, while Rhett states, “In a lot of ways, I’m still the kid I was / Just a little less Jack in my cup,” he also realizes, “Yeah, I guess I’m growing up.” If you know something about Rhett, you know he has a wife and kids, hence, he’s literally in a different place than he was years ago.

“What’s Your Country Song” 

“Did you grow up on a tractor? / Did your daddy let you drive? / Are you whiskey bent and hell bound?”  While the answers to the questions that 🎙 Thomas Rhett asks are a NO on my end, people who are from ‘the country’ most likely will answer, yes. ✅ 🎵 “What’s Your Country Song” keeps things relatively simple, but it’s also quite enjoyable, even if you’re not a country boy/gal.  Like the two songs preceding it on Country Again (Side A), “Your Country Song” retains a more traditional country sound – in a contemporary country sort of way.  The production is heavy on guitar, certainly checking off a country box. Like the aforementioned lyrics excerpted from the first verse, Rhett asks about country experiences throughout to others who have similar experiences.  Given that, he concludes, everyone with such experiences has their own country song, captured perfectly on the chorus.

On 🎵 “Where We Grew Up,” Rhett continues to reminisce.  After “Growing Up” on the second track, he remembers all of the things that made him the man that he is today (something like that).  The stories imparted on the verses are pretty sweet (and relatable) while fans will eat up the big, anthemic chorus.  That said, the memorializing ✅ 🎵 “Heaven Right Now” is even better, as Rhett remembers his close friend, Hunter.  “Memory lane goes on forever,” he sings on the third verse, continuing, “We twist a top and pour a little Jack D out / I wonder what you’re doin’ in heaven right now.” The sincerity of the lyrics, as well as the authenticity with which Thomas sings with, truly speaks volumes.  This is a sad cut, but it’s truly radiant and definitely ranks at the top of Rhett’s musical catalog.  Helping to pen such a touching remembrance is Rhett, his father, 🎼✍ Rhett Akins, 🎼✍ Laura Veltz, 🎼✍ Josh Thompson, and 🎼✍ Matt Dragstrem.

“To the Guys That Date My Girls”

Following up a juggernaut such as “Heaven Right Now” is incredibly tough. The good news is, ✅ 🎵 “To the Guys That Date My Girls” gives Thomas Rhett another gem.  Another example of maturity from the country artist, he speaks on the importance of protecting his daughters on this ballad. “But when you pull her close / You save room for Jesus,” Rhett memorably sings on the second verse, continuing, “‘Cause if you ever cross tht line, I swear / Boy, you’re gonna need him.” Love it!  On 🎵 “More Time Fishin’,” Rhett wants to spend more time enjoying life.  That, of course, to many country artists includes fishing. “I don’t care if I don’t catch a thing,” he sings on the second verse, adding, “As long as I catch a buzz, and a tan.” Fishing can be replaced by any activity or hobby you see fit, hence, making this yet another relatable joint.

“More Time Fishin’” is a country vibe, but the bigger country vibe is definitely ✅ 🎵 “Country Again.” While “Heaven Right Now” has the award for most sincere ballad on lockdown, the title track is a close second.  This is a song that really finds Thomas Rhett reclaiming his roots after shedding them.  No, I’m not merely referencing his crossover approach to country music, but based on the songwriting, his actual life and how he’d moved away from what he was to some extent.  Now, as he’s became older, he’s returned to being ‘country again’ even if certain things have totally changed.  “But last night, we cracked some cold beers and cranked Eric Church to ten,” he sings, he recalls of a meeting with his “back home buddies,” reflecting, “‘Man, it feels good to be country again.’”

“Put It on Ice”

Thomas Rhett does a fine job being serious and embraces his adulthood and new perspective on life.  Still, it’s good to hear him have fun on 🎵 “Put It on Ice” featuring HARDY.  He remains true to this dedication to country music in its purest form, but there are still shades of crossover to be heard on this one.  Those fast rhythmic lines aren’t fooling anybody Thomas!

On the penultimate cut, 🎵 “Blame It on a Backroad”, Rhett gives us some tried-and-true country stuff. Buzz words include Chevy, Goodrich, two-lane, radio, and of course, backroad.  Like the rest of Country Again (Side A), it’s consistent, enjoyable, and well-rounded.  On the album’s final hurrah, 🎵 “Ya Heard,” Rhett is thankful for his world: his wife, his girls, music, fans.  Of course, ultimately, he’s “Pretty sure ya heard.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

Thomas Rhett abandons crossover country on Country Again (Side A).  Not a problem in the least! Maybe Country Again (Side A) won’t yield the pop hits he’s had in the past but ultimately, this is another fine project from the Grammy-nominated musician.  Great singing, great songwriting, and fitting production make Country Again (Side A) a total success.  

✅ Gems 💎: “Want It Again,” “Growing Up,” “What’s Your Country Song,” “Heaven Right Now,” “To the Guys That Date My Girls” & “Country Again” 

🎙 Thomas Rhett • 💿 Country Again (Side A) • 🏷 Big Machine • 🗓 4.30.21

[📷: Big Machine]