Review Summary: I'd take 2016 and give it back to you
It's been six years since Sam Hunt's debut album Montevallo. That album took hold of country radio airwaves for years with many number 1 Billboard country hits, such as, Break Up In A Small Town, Make You Miss Me, Take Your Time, and many more! Since that time, Sam Hunt has been releasing more breakthrough hits such as the wildly popular Body Like A Back Road and Downtown's Dead. Little do people know, these smash hits would come from the sophomore follow up Southside.
Southside is a refinement of Sam Hunt's signature sound that cleverly blends country, hip-hop, and R&B that leaves many to believe that Sam Hunt is country's Drake. The difference between Southside and Montevallo is that Sam Hunt is embracing his classic country influences as seen in the touching yet powerful opener 2016. On Hard To Forget, Sam Hunt actually samples a classic country song from 1953 called There Stands The Glass by Webb Pierce, further showing Sam Hunt's appreciation for the country genre.
That's not to say that Sam Hunt's signature spoken word and rap style of singing are absent from Southside. These could be heard on songs like Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90s, Drinkin' Too Much, etc. Drinkin' Too Much in particular is worth mentioning, as the album's closer it's an amazing showcase of Hunt's spoken word verses and sung chorus and outro.
Overall, Southside is full of incredible summer hits that will stay in your head for years to come. The deep cuts as well are intensely strong and no other artist in the country genre could pull off the mix of country, hip-hop, and R&B as well and effortlessly as Sam Hunt.
