Review: Matt Bailie's self-titled album

With the chance of being America’s new country music heartthrob, Matt Bailie lays out everything on his self-titled album. This 24-year-old cutie fits right in with popular country music now at the top of the country charts.

There are tracks that are lyrically similar to many songs I have heard before, but then there are those rare gems on this album that tell the listener that all of Bailie’s emotions, blood, sweat, and tears have been put into this album. One such track is called “Man behind These Eyes,” which was written about the singer’s father who passed away when Bailie was just a child, leaving this artist with a deep desire to know the man his father was. With lyrics like “I’d like to know what it’s like to know him, tell him that I love him, toss out a line on a summer night…,” Bailie puts life into his music.

Personally, Bailie’s voice reminds me of Brad Paisley. Musically, they’re not as similar. At this point, Bailie is just growing into the successful artist he is meant to be, and that is clear from this album.

The tracks on this album sound like songs that are ready to be played mainstream. For example, “Everyday You” is a romantic, love-sappy song that will really strike a chord with the ladies. As good as these songs are, I want to hear MORE from Bailie. Not necessarily “more” in the sense that I want more of his music, but that I want to hear him really bring it to the music industry. I want to hear him write something incredible similar to “Man behind These Eyes” but with more raw emotion and a more unique sound.

Yes, this album is great, but for how long? Musical tastes always change, and maybe this album will not have the time it needs to gain more popularity before the next music fad comes - which it inevitably will.

One track I do have a problem with is “Cadillac Dreams.” In the song, Bailie talks about hating “the life he was handed down” and being from a blue-collar family. That may or may not be the case, but since Bailie actually appeared in episodes of Safe Harbor and a movie called Surfacing, I’m a bit skeptical. At this point in the album, I start questioning whether Bailie is writing to make it big or writing for himself, like an honest artist should. The track sounds like something people want to hear, but did Bailie have that in mind when he was writing it?

All in all, the album would be a good addition to any country listener’s collection. The music fits in with the current country music style, and the music and lyrics fit rather well together (with unknown intentions aside). Personally, I can’t wait to see what this young man brings to the table on his next album.