Capitol Records Nashville
Release Date: February 2nd 2024
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Keith Urban – Straight Line – Single (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Straight Line
Keith Urban has been a household name for ages. Releasing music from the 1990s onward (his self titled 1999 album had the single ‘But For the Grace Of God’) and delivering standout songs like ‘Somebody Like You’, ‘Days Go By’, ‘You’re My Better Half’, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ and ‘But for the Grace of God’, to name a few in the earlier years; this country superstar recently unveiled his latest full-length album, encapsulated in the title The SPEED OF NOW Pt. 1 in 2020 (maybe that’s an indication that they’ll be a part 2, sometime in the future?). Fusing together country and pop, like he has done for quite some time, The SPEED OF NOW Pt. 1 was one of 2020’s most anticipated releases, not just in country music but in all music full stop; as Keith reminded us through the poignant melodies and songs, of the necessity of us to slow down and to re-evaluate if and when necessary. It was indeed very much needed throughout 2020, especially because of the tumultuous and uncertain time in our lives due to COVID-19. The SPEED OF NOW was an album that was enjoyed and appreciated by anyone who enjoyed Keith’s older material of the past (myself included), or anyone who appreciated similar styled artists, like Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley; and Blake Shelton, or just anyone who loves country music, period.
Now fast forward to 2024. Keith’s album release in 2020 granted him a whole bunch of singles- songs like ‘Polaroid’, ‘One Too Many’, ‘Out the Cage’, ‘God Whispered Your Name’ and ‘We Were’. Following along from that, Keith unveiled the singles ‘Wild Hearts’, ‘Nightfalls’, ‘Brown Eyes Baby’ and ‘Street Called Main’. Now we are treated with another song ‘Straight Line’, off his forthcoming album titled TBA, and to be released sometime in 2024. Will the other four standalone singles be on Keith’s new album? Maybe, maybe not.
Co-written with Chase MacGill, his guitarist Jerry Flowers and Canadian songwriter and producer Greg Wells (whose previous Keith Urban credits include ‘My Wave’ and ‘Wasted Time’); ‘Straight Line’ is upbeat, jovial, happy, anthemic and emotive, as we see this country-pop song deliver positivity, which is definitely needed in this society that can be often clouded with much negativity at the moment. Keith declares from the outset that he wants to take back control and to break free from life and the monotonousness of it, to forge ahead and create a new destiny, not going through the motions and going round and round, feeling stuck in a rut- he wants to move in a straight line forward, towards the goal of getting better and forging better relationships, with both his family and friends. As Keith himself says, ‘…’Straight Line’ is wanting to break out of a soul-sucking routine that you might be stuck in: maybe in a relationship, a job, with creativity, with yourself, whatever it is. It’s a message of feeling alive again and getting out from under that dark cloud…’ The song is indeed a reminder that things are never too late to change trajectory, and to understand that there is always hope on the horizon, that moving in a straight line towards a purpose and goal ought to be reason enough for us all to have the courage and boldness to break free from the monotonousness of life that we can often feel as though we ‘fell’ into.
The song itself is the lead single from Keith’s new album, and according to Keith himself, sets the energy and tone of the album as a whole- ‘…While ‘Straight Line”s lyrics are about being stuck and trying to break out of the monotony, the melody and energy are a boulevard of nothing but green lights. Every song on this album – even the ballads – carries an energy and a life force that became a very strong through line. I hope you feel it…’ The first Keith Urban song to hit the radiowaves since ‘Street Called Main’; ‘Straight Line’ is more than just a ‘surface level’ song, it’s indeed a track that can hopefully heal and encourage more and more people as the weeks roll on. The song is undoubtedly a hit, as it tugs on our heartstrings, and is by far one of the more emotional songs I’ve heard from Keith, ever since ‘The Fighter’ way back in 2016. Keith’s song reminds us all that it’s indeed a process to move from running in circles, to moving in a straight line; and that that’s ok, that whenever we do look a little deeper and delve into the lyrics, that a song like ‘Straight Line’ can really impact if we can see past it’s ‘superficial’ electric guitar-driven sheen. And if a song by a country artist like Keith can allow us to see if there’s things about ourselves that we need to change or stay the same, then the song has done its job. Keith’s music has inspired so many people in albums past, and this new song is no different. Well done Keith for such a down-to-earth track about moving past the monotonous into a life of intentionality and purpose. Hoping that people are impacted by the song in the upcoming weeks and months ahead!
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton