Album Review: Colt Ford - Thanks For Listening

Colt Ford is the trailblazer of the new Country music subgenre we like to call "rural rap." Check out why we think it's among his best yet.

Colt Ford’s ability to connect with an audience that many didn’t know existed has lead to a massively-successful tour with a string of successful albums that has given the star millions of albums and tracks sold. With Thanks For Listing Colt Ford stretches himself more than he’s done before while also bringing more star-packed collaborations than before, which is saying something for a man who has previously collaborated with Ronnie Dunn, Wynonna, John Anderson, Brantley Gilbert, Joe Diffie, Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Frankie Ballard and Jason Aldean. Here he’s got Keith Urban, Jerrod Niemann, Randy Houser Willie Robertson, Chase Rice, Justin Moore and Lee Brice performing the chorus of the songs here but he’s also performing more as a singer than before, with “Workin’ On” being one of the biggest examples of his growing confidence in his own singing voice.

“She’s Like” features Keith Urban and it’s just a good song. It fits with Country, it fits with crossover pop as his most mainstream (pop-leaning) song he’s ever done. Lead single “The High Life” features Chase Rice and it has already started to rival some of Colt’s previous big hits (like “Drivin’ Around Song” and “Dirt Road Anthem”).  This one’s all about having a good time with your friends. “Farm Life” features Justin Moore and man, is it a steel guitar-filled modern melodic mix of a tune with a strong vocal from Moore and strong verses from Colt. 

I’d be crazy to not mention the title track in this review since it features Colt showcasing what he’s all about, the fans who’ve given him what he’s got: his career as a Country music star. Colt gets his swag on with “Outshine Me,” one of his most ‘rap’ tracks since starting his career. It also features him singing via auto tune. It’s not a song for radio by any means but I’m sure it’ll be a staple of his live show (if it isn’t already). 

As with Colt's other records, Thanks For Listening won’t be for everyone but for those willing to take a listen and for those who enjoy rural rap (my phrase for country/rap, because "hick-hop" just doesn’t work for me), you should certainly check out Colt Ford’s lasted record. It’s one of his most varied and consistent projects to date.

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