ToC Critic’s Pick: Russell Dickerson, ‘Yours’
Russell Dickerson's Yours album features no scrap parts. Hardly a lyric or solo plays superfluous, and there's certainly not an entire song that comes across as redundant or dull.
Yours is a dynamic debut album from a man most in country music are just getting to know. The title track is a wedding song so good he put it on the album twice. It's the only syrupy ballad — others like "Low Key" and "All Fall Down" are less bride-and-groom emoji and more blushing-smile or flushed-face emoji. Dickerson says most if not all of his songs are inspired by his wife Kailey, and that means something quite arousing during "All Fall Down."
Sonically, Dickerson's songs are what one might get if they mixed Maren Morris with Dan + Shay. Dark melodies mixed with bright lyrics and pop production turn out songs that are both interesting and snackable. "Float" and "Twentysomething" are the only two not about love or lovers. He sings them all with the aplomb of a newly married man reflecting back on a pretty good life.
Key Tracks: "Billions," "All Fall Down," "Low Key," "Yours"
Did You Know?: Dickerson is good friends with artists like Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line. In fact he once wrote a breakup song with FGL's Brian Kelley. "The Radio Knows" did not make this album, but it was written during a time he and Kailey split up.
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