Gary Allan – 鈥楽et You Free鈥�
“Set You Free” is Gary Allan’s first collection of new music since the critically lauded “Get Off the Pain” from 2010.
The emotional weight of the new material is engaging, haunting and redeeming as Allan details a therapeutic sojourn of love, heartache, loneliness and healing.
The searing opener, “Tough Goodbye,” is a rousing guitar-driven number serving as the spark for the emotional powder keg to follow. “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” is the album’s potent first single with Allan’s raspy voice paired with the angelic vocals of Hillary Lindsey as the lyrics outline the numbing realization that a once-hopeful love is finally now gone. From there, it’s a natural progression to anger with Allan displaying a Kid Rock swagger as he unleashes his inner outlaw on the dark and menacing “Bones.”
“It Ain’t the Whiskey” finds Allan revealing that it ain’t the whiskey, cigarettes, the hard times or the long nights that are killing him, but the memories of her that’s the true source of his slow deterioration. To escape the painful memories, Allan offers up a tropical retreat with “Sand in My Soul” and “No Worries.”
While Kenny Chesney has become the master of delivering upbeat and catchy island-themed tales of sand and sun, Allan somehow manages to add an element of darkness and unpredictability to his getaway arrangements causing listeners to wonder if he’s simply pretending to have a good time.
The closer, “Good as New,” completes the emotional roller coaster ride by detailing an inspiring tale of renewal and rebirth with a new start and fresh canvas. Allan co-produced his ninth studio album with Jay Joyce, Greg Droman and Mark Wright and also co-wrote five of the album’s tracks. With over six million albums sold and more than 10 Top 10 singles from his 17 years in the music business, Allan will add to his impressive credentials with this work.
Loaded with raw passion and honest emotion, “Set You Free” is poised to be one of the finest country albums of the year.