Lady Antebellum hits the lighted airport runway, wheels in take off position, with 747, their sixth studio album. The trio chose the album’s name, according to Hillary Scott, because they felt the title track “has this pushing, driving spirit about it that sums up our attitude right now. We are pushing ourselves as a band and as songwriters … taking ourselves out of our comfort zone and not taking ourselves too seriously. There’s an urgency and an energy to it that we’ve never released before.”
Lady Antebellum has always delivered vocal harmonies that quickly capture your ear and hold your attention, … “Need You Now“, “Just A Kiss.” Their latest songs, though, ask the listener for more than an ear, as the lyrics here will capture your heart too.
The album opens with “Long Stretch Of Love.” Couldn’t help but think anything stretched again and again over time will show wear and tear, even lost a bit of its original elasticity. This song addresses that and, to be honest, a love that’s been tested, pushed, pulled, wrung out but still leaving you wanting more … hey, I want that …
The trio released “Bartender” as the first single from the album. It’s a drinking song with a twist – it’s really not about liquor erasing a bad memory, but more about raising a glass to celebrate all the new ones still to be made. The tune sounds more along the lines of “Love Don’t Live Here“, “Looking For A Good Time“. The companion song here might be “Just A Girl” – the time when a woman realizes she’s his time passer, a consolation prize of sorts when he can’t find anyone else, and walks away with her head held high, knowing she is so much better than this.
Sure Lady A hopes the next single, “Freestyle” (releasing Oct. 20), is the second #1 from the album. Think of yourself paddling out on a board and riding the biggest ocean wave back to the shore – that’s free styling. A song about loving someone for exactly who they are is She Is – knowing this person is special and a little bit of everything all in one.
“Down South,” with its heartfelt and grateful emotions, brings you home, to the place that’s your safe haven, when you’re feeling like you’ve lost your way. After life has shaken and stirred you, home is where you need to go to find peace. “One Great Mystery” is the very essence of who you are and who you become when you are with the one who has completely captured your heart. Brought me to tears, thinking of my own daughters, the women they’ve become, standing by the sides of the ones they’ve chosen to share their lives, dreams, and love with.
On the flip side to “Mystery is Lie With Me.” The couple accepts the truth that it’s over for them, but grasp one last time together, filling it with the passion that once was. The teen angst version might be “Damn You Seventeen“, a song about young lovers and the raw power of all they experienced together. The innocence of youth mixed with adult emotions stays with you, even when you move on.
The album does bring a new sound for Lady A fans, along with powerful lyrics. Their harmonies are strong, the melodies break new ground, and it’s one that will be played over and over.
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