Kelsea Ballerini - Unapologetically (Nov. 3)

[tanman]

Country's newcomer, who is about to reach her 4th consecutive radio #1 from her debut album is working on her sophomore album.

www.soundslikenashville.com/music/kelsea-ballerini-keeps-it-honest-on-upcoming-sophomore-record/

Kelsea Ballerini Plans to Keep It ‘Honest’ on Upcoming Sophomore Record

KELLY BRICKEY • APRIL 5, 2017 - 6:33 AM

Kelsea Ballerini has her ‘First Time’ charm following her everywhere she goes, and she plans to keep it that way as she transitions into the second project of her country career.



The singer found her voice throughout her first record as an established perspective on the highs and lows of being a girl in her teens. As the time has flown by since fans first heard Ballerini blasting through their radio speakers, she wants to make sure the next step creates a path toward the top while maintaining her close relationship with her dedicated fan base.



“The whole heartbeat of the first record is young, which I think is what made it relatable to young girls, which was a really special thing,” Ballerini recently explained to GQ. “And so I’m careful to acknowledge that when I’m writing now. I still want to keep those young girls that liked that version of my music. But I have to be honest about growing up and becoming a young woman. That’s why we picked ‘Yeah Boy’ to be the last single from the first album—there’s nothing like that on this next record.”



Wanting to keep her presence in the format known, Ballerini isn’t backing down from putting her best work—lyrically and sonically—out there for her sophomore effort. She plans to keep high hopes in her sights, with the backing of her debut album’s success on her side, for what’s to come in her pop-country sound.

“They say the sophomore album is the most important album you’ll ever put out. Especially with the success of the first one we just want to make sure that we do it right. Once we get past the next year and a half of new music and a new record we’ll probably know what our path is and where it’s going to lead,” the Tennessee native shared.



While Ballerini admits she will toy the line of country versus pop, she still remains loyal to the genre that gave her the strong platform to grow.“This new record is a lot more on that country-pop line. But the heartbeat of it is still country,” she said.



The title and release date for Ballerini’s second album has yet to be announced at this time.

[tryexp]

Hopefully a lead single from her sophmore album will be announced this summer.

Kelsea posted several snippets of new songs on her snapchat last year but all those seemed to have disappeared from Youtube. Last year she confirmed a song named "Graveyard" would be on it. She also mentioned on twitter recently that "Catching Feelings" would not be on it, as well as Sentences, a duet with Thomas Rhett.

So songs she sang recently likely to be on the next album:

Roses (Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Gorley, Miller Crowell) - studio snippet, full live song
Hit Song (Kelsea Ballerini, ?) - fullish live song
High School (Kelsea Ballerini) - full acoustic song
We Were Like (Kelsea Ballerini, Josh Kerr, Kyle Reynolds) - full song
Graveyard (Kelsea Ballerini, ShaneMcAnally, Forest Whitehead) - not played live, but she talks about it here
-Unnamed Duet With Morgan Evans- - she talks about it on several interviews

Uncomfirmed, but older so less likely:
Fun And Games (Kelsea Ballerini, ) - live, also included in the snapchat sneak peak
Boys Think Girls (Kelsea Ballerini, Lori McKenna, Forest Whitehead) - snapchat sneak peak
Grafitti (Kelsea Ballerini, ?) - played live a few times last year

Confirmed to not be in the next project:
Sentences (Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett) - Duet - full live
Catching Feelings (Kelsea Ballerini, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Forest Whitehead) - Live

Other songs likely written for this project :
20 20 (Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Jen Denmark)
Anymore (Kelsea Ballerini, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird)
Best Seller (Kelsea Ballerini, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird)
Brightside (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Hillary Lindsey)
Cleopatra (Kelsea Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey, Luke Laird)
Do It For Love (Kelsea Ballerini,Shane McAnally, Forest Whitehead)
Euphoria (Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Gorley, Forest Whitehead)
End (Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon)
Fiction (Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Gorley, Miller Crowell)
Get Over Yourself (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, ShaneMcAnally)
Give Me Up (Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Forest Whitehead)
Girl Talk (Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Jessi Alexander)
Homecoming (Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Gorley, Forest Whitehead)
Just Another Day (Kelsea Ballerini, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird)
Limousine (Kelsea Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey, Forest Whitehead)
Miss America (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Sara Chrenow)
Miss Me More (Kelsea Ballerini, David Hodges, Bret McLaughlin)
Obsessed (Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins)
Paper Doll (Kelsea Ballerini, Nicolle Galyon, Jessi Alexander)
PDA (Kelsea Ballerini, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osbourne)
Ready Set Go (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Sara Chrenow)
Starts How It Ends (Kelsea Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey, Luke Laird)
Suit Up (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally)
Still Do (Kelsea Ballerini, Lori McKenna)
Teenagers (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally)
U And Me (Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Josh Osbourne)

[tanman]

I wonder how much longer until she goes full pop. I don't expect this album to have any hits that actually crossover to pop, but I think Kelsea will eventually become the next Taylor Swift, though maybe not as popular lol.

[tryexp]

Found some clips of one unknown song (1) on twitter,  'Hit Song' and the confirmation that Fun & Games won't be on the record.

[Deleted]

Management has essentially confirmed her new album will be out this Fall. I got this e-mail from them regarding an upcoming concert I'm attending:

"We're excited to see you at Kelsea Ballerini’s private pre-show performance on the You Look Good Tour! A one-of-a-kind opportunity for her VIPs this summer, during the VIP Experience, Kelsea will be sharing never-before-heard music from her second album coming out this Fall. As a result and at the Artist’s request, the Kelsea Ballerini VIP Experience will be a mobile phone-free zone provided by Yondr. Upon arrival, your phone will be placed in a pouch, which you will keep with you throughout the VIP experience. The pouches will be unlocked at the end of the VIP experience. If needed, you will be able to use your phone outside of the venue. We appreciate your cooperation to help us create an exclusive listening event for all in attendance."

[tryexp]

@annasilva , just out of curiosity when is the show you're attending?

[Deleted]

Mountain View May 27.

[tryexp]

So fairly soon. I think they are just waiting for Yeah Boy to peak before announcing the debut single for the next album. I know Kelsea sang "High School" and "Roses" during the VIP pre show event before so I can't imagine they would go to all the trouble for those songs again, which means she might be singing the next single.

[tryexp]

Sorry about the double post, but a fan twitter account posted this one



so we have Legends, which sounds like it will be the lead single from the new album, Unapologetical (also new),  High School and Roses, both of which she played live before.

[tryexp]

Speculation on album release date.

[Deleted]

Legends is a tremendous first single. Very high quality track, well written and good production.

[tryexp]

@ annasilva did she play new songs from her phone on the show you went to, as some fans have been claiming?

[Deleted]

Yes, she did. She played studio versions of Unapologetically, Missed Me, and Machine Heart directly from her phone.

In addition, she performed Roses and Square Pegs with acoustic guitars.

[tryexp]

Jun 21, 2017 20:14:16 GMT -5 @annasilva said:

Yes, she did. She played studio versions of Unapologetically, Missed Me, and Machine Heart directly from her phone.

In addition, she performed Roses and Square Pegs with acoustic guitars.

Thank you very much for the info :)

So confirmed album tracks
1.Legends
2. Unapologetically
3. Missed Me
4. Machine Heart
5. Roses
6. I Hate Love Songs

Also, confirmation about the 2 part album speculation:

[austin]

Jun 24, 2017 6:51:03 GMT -5 tryexp said:

Jun 21, 2017 20:14:16 GMT -5 @annasilva said:

Yes, she did. She played studio versions of Unapologetically, Missed Me, and Machine Heart directly from her phone.

In addition, she performed Roses and Square Pegs with acoustic guitars.

Thank you very much for the info :)

So confirmed album tracks
1.Legends
2. Unapologetically
3. Missed Me
4. Machine Heart
5. Roses
6. I Hate Love Songs

Also, confirmation about the 2 part album speculation:

The two part album seems like a terrible idea. Just get us the album in November instead of 2 EPs.

[Deleted]

I have to agree with you. It does sounds like an awful plan. Let's just wait for the album in November and they can release another single if they want to beforehand.

[Gray.]

Multi-part releases like this, while good in theory, never really work in the end. Her label should really be pushing her to just do a normal album cycle, cause this is going to be confusing.

Also, "Legends" is a snoozefest. Hope she has some better material on the way.

[Troublemaker]

^Agreed! Also they seem to forget that this is just her second album.

[tryexp]

I wonder if instead of being two EPs we get a normal album version in August and a deluxe later this year. That would make more sense even if it's likely to annoy people.

Also, anyone know what other songs she has been playing from her phone for fans during the Legendary VIP experience?

[tryexp]

Sorry for DP, but apparently "Fun & Games" is back on the album.

Also, writers for Machine Heart and Miss Me More:
Machine Heart (K. Ballerini, G. Wells, J.J. Abrahart)
Miss Me More (K. Ballerini, B. McLaughlin, D. Hodges)

[tryexp]

"In Between" (Kelsea Ballerini, ShaneMcAnally, Jimmy Robbins) confirmed to be on the album. Kelsea also said during a recent interview that they will announce things officially in two weeks.

[songslikethis]

Legends is a dud but I'm excited to hear the rest of the album(s)

[tryexp]

A little sneak peak of Graveyard.

Also, Kelsea hinted that details will be released this coming week.

[austin]

Why does her voice sound so different this era? I can't explain what it is but it almost sounds like she is having an allergy attack and singing through it.

[Deleted]

“Unapologetically” is the album title. Out November 3.

Attachment Deleted

[tryexp]

So she said the album has 12 tracks, which means probably:

1 - Legends
2 - Unapologetically
3 - Roses
4 - I Hate Love Songs
5 - We Were Like
6 - High School
7 - In Between
8 - Graveyard
9 - Machine Heart
10 - Miss Me More
11 - Fun & Games
12 - Hit Song? (maybe something else we haven't heard about)

People have also been mentioning deluxe tracks, so I assume Kelsea has talked about that somewhere...

[Kurt]

"I Hate Love Songs" is track #9. I know that because a preview (that I couldn't get to play) shows up as an ad when you check in somewhere on Swarm (Foursquare's check-in app). *blinks*

edit: oh, she's revealing the whole album through it this week. that's an... interesting choice, I guess.

[tryexp]

Aug 7, 2017 17:50:32 GMT -5 Kurt said:

"I Hate Love Songs" is track #9. I know that because a preview (that I couldn't get to play) shows up as an ad when you check in somewhere on Swarm (Foursquare's check-in app). *blinks*

edit: oh, she's revealing the whole album through it this week. that's an... interesting choice, I guess.

Apparently #3 is get over yourself and #8 is end of the world. I find this tracklist reveal slightly annoying specially considering the app is not working as it should :/

[austin]

"I Hate Love Songs" is going to be a HUGE hit, I hope they just release that next. Everything else sounds really, really pop-leaning, which doesn't bother me, but it kind of sounds like Kelly Clarkson album track rejects. I will reserve judgment until the entire thing is out, but I think I will much prefer her debut. "Graveyard" does intrigue me though and "Music" sounds great.

I Hate Love Songs - Awesome
Graveyard - Intriguing
Legends - Not bad, but not as impactful of a lead single as I had hoped
Get Over Yourself- sounds bad
Machine Heart - Sounds bland but not awful.
End of the World - clip is boring, song may not be
Music - REALLY pop sounding but I do like this one.
Unapologetically - Mess.

[chicken077]

As of 8/8, according to Kelsea's Swarm reveals, here is what we know about Unapologetically:

Track 1: "Graveyard"
Track 2
Track 3: "Get Over Yourself"
Track 4 
Track 5: "Machine Heart"
Track 6
Track 7
Track 8: "End Of The World"
Track 9: "I Hate Love Songs"
Track 10
Track 11: "Music"
Track 12

It is also confirmed that "Roses", "Legends", "Unapologetically", and "High School" are going to be on the album somewhere, but we just don't know where. "We Were Like" is likely to be bonus track. That leaves two more unknown songs. Three more songs will be revealed on 8/9 and full tracklist will be out on 8/10

Thoughts so far (I'm trying to be as objective as possible, because obviously I'm a diehard fan lol): Wow, Kels has really outdone herself from the already near-perfect The First Time! While I can't say this album is better for now, because obviously it hasn't been out yet, but I can say that it's looking to be legendary and much more mature and subtle than her debut!  I can't give complete opinions on these tracks because obviously I haven't heard the whole songs yet, but as for the clips, here's what I feel. "Graveyard" is just such a beautifully deep and insightful song that showcases a set of elaborate emotions that expresses a subtle hint of confusion. "Get Over Yourself" is basically "XO" on her first album on steroids - it brilliantly maintains the perkyness, playfulness, and sassiness of "XO" while showcasting Kelsea's maturity at the same time, something that may seem to be impossible to accomplish but Kelsea somehow does perfectly. "Machine Heart" carries such a relatable and deep message that I personally relate to so much. "End Of The World" is literally potentially going to be my favorite Kelsea song eventually (I still prefer "First Time" for now but given Kelsea songs grow on me exponentially... who knows). I teared up the first time I listened to just the 30 second clip and it conveys a feeling of desperation and loneliness yet somehow manages to somehow imbue a sense of hope and thankfulness of that hope, like sort of a light at the end of a tunnel. No wonder hearing this song gives me a sense of driving in the dark by myself when I'm sad... "I Hate Love Songs" reminds me a bit of Julia Michaels's "Issues" minus all the things that make "Issues" not a legendary song for me and add everything that makes Kelsea my queen. Obviously, the vocals are VASTLY improved (Kelsea is one of the best vocalists while Julia Michaels is one of the not so good ones... sorry Leo... lol). In addition, "I Hate Love Songs" turns all of the blandness of "Issues" that results from the sluggish tempo of "Issues" and Kelsea manages to turn it into blissfulness, romanticness, and a feeling of royalty - like a feeling of "okay, our relationship might not be a classic relationship with love songs and all. I don't like those stuff. But all I know is that I love you like I mean it and that's all that matters". Take "I Hate Love Songs" and embed some pop elements into it and you get "Music"! It carries the same royalty and blissfulness while managing to convey a sense of subtle playfulness and thankfulness in it. Though "I Hate Love Songs" and "Music" are a bit similar, both carries unique elements that make the two carry distinct emotions and vibes when listening to the two songs that I don't mind that they sound a bit alike! (sort of like "Love Me Like You Mean It" and "Dibs" from her first album). "Legends" y'all know my feelings about that song, so I won't go into detail here about why it's an obviously legendary song for me. "Unapologetically" like am I the only one that hears some EDM influences in this song? Particularly Zedd and Alessia Cara's "Stay" and The Chainsmokers and Halsey's "Closer"? Haha based on the preview of this song on the day of album cover reveal, it carries a sense of rebellion and playfulness, yet somehow makes the rebellion mature and thoughtful at the same time, a feeling that might seem contradictory but somehow gets put together in "Unapologetically"! And the lyrics to that song is literally my situation... "High School" might as well be another one of my top Kelsea songs. The flashback and nostalgic vibe of "High School" from her live performances captivates me so much and the part that goes like "cause it's five years, later, and you can't get off of the elevator" literally gives me chills every time I hear it. It's almost like a transition song when one is ready to move onto the next phase of life and looking back at the previous phase and thinking, "wow, my peers and I have done some really immature things... but I'm ready to move on..." - sorta reminds me of looking out at a sunset... wow, what a song. Overall, though we only got clips of these songs (except for "Legends", which the full version is released, and "High School", which I heard a full live version of), these songs are really impressing me. Kels shows an impressive, almost perfect, ability in not just song and lyric writing, but also most importantly, conveying a multitude of emotions through the music, and although these emotions may be contradictory, Kels successfully integrates all these emotions into one song to reproduce the complexities of the emotions things in life may produce. This integration is also seen in The First Time, and is done amazingly well in songs like "First Time", "Peter Pan", and "Secondhand Smoke" and is done very well to some degree in all of her other deeper songs. But in Unapologetically, this integration is seen in every song, even the funner/more rebellious songs like "Get Over Yourself" and "Unapologetically" (which is only a good thing! Because every human experience brings out a complexity of emotions, even the happier experiences!), and is seen done extremely impressively, almost perfectly. All in all, I love Kelsea so much, and I admit my review might be biased given the fact I'm a diehard stan, but still. This album is making me love Kelsea even more, and I mean it.