With "Heartfirst," Kelsea Ballerini has delivered perhaps the best lead single (or single) of her career. Featuring an infectious melody that sparks your ears immediately. The song, which she recorded with producers Shane McAnally and Julian Bunetta, was co-written by Kelsea with Alysa Vanderheym and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. While she's showcased her delicate side on "Half of My Hometown" and other more intimate tracks, "Heartfirst" is all about the feels one gets when they jump into a new relationship even if it will end up as the theme of a sad break-up song. We have to try if we ever wanna find true love.
This one's definitely more sonically like the country pop "bops" of Kelsea's first two albums The First Time and Unapologetically than the third album Kelsea was. She blends the influences of 90s and 2000s country stalwarts like Shania, Martina, Faith and Reba well and it's a blend that also recalls some of the more 'upbeat' Taylor Swift moments as well. While "Heartfirst" has shades of those artist's work within it's DNA, there's absolutely nothing about it that screams copycat or imitator. Instead, it's an inspired single from one of modern country music's brightest stars and something that should easily become a contender for "Song of the Summer 2022" in country music and, perhaps, beyond.
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