Brett Eldredge started his 2019 by stepping back from social media and smartphones and began a journey of self-discovery, living in the moment, and embracing life. The year left fans missing him posting videos on Snapchat, Instagram and interacting with his fans online. While that year proved to be a long one for fans, it proved to be one of the best years for Brett. He put away his smartphone and pulled out a polaroid, living life through a different lens and seeing the world from a whole new perspective.
Shortly before the global shutdowns, fans in Europe and the UK got previews of some of the new music. However, it wasn’t until April of 2020 that fans got the first single Gabrielle, which tells a story about a relationship that just did not work out and you simply just want to wish the other person well. Over the next few months, he released four additional songs off the record starting with Where The Heart Is, Crowd My Mind, Good Day, and lastly the title track Sunday Drive. Eldredge also released a music video for Good Day in May as a way to support those on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunday Drive, compared to his older albums, shows his growth as a songwriter and vocalist. The title track Sunday Drive is the only song on the record he did not write. Written by Barry Dean, Don Mescall, and Steve Robson. Eldredge came across the track when he was an intern at Universal Music Publishing 11 years ago. He stated that when he heard he was working in the tape room and hoped that he would one day be the one to record it. This is the second record Brett has released that is named after a song he did not write, the first being his debut album Bring You Back.
The album takes you through a journey with each song. From start to finish, each song is unique and beautiful. From the opening track Where The Heart Is, telling the story about getting back to what is important, finding the wonder in the world again, and the magic in each moment. To Crowd My Mind, the piano-driven ballad that is simply beautiful about how you can feel so alone at times, and the people you love are in your mind, even through the crazy times in your life, you have them on your mind to get you through. While Fix A Heart is the time machine of the record, Brett Eldredge has always been open about his love for Frank Sinatra, and how much his music has inspired and influenced him, and in this track, you can hear it, in every note, and every lyric. The album closes off with Paris, Illinois named after his hometown, is telling the story about getting back to your roots, going home, remembering it, honouring it for all its beauty.
In an Instagram Q&A, Brett explains the story about the album cover and that the two people featured on the cover are his late grandfather and one of his cousins who loved riding bikes.
You can stream the album on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/5am18BIdjp6lOvt9KjKbSd?si=RBxbw40YSBe5zK874hL60Q
