Luke Bryan has long been criticized for failing to live up to his full potential, opting for mindless party jams over anything resembling depth. For the first five singles off his current record, Kill the Lights, one could argue this has been the truth. However, with his latest single "Fast", Bryan takes himself in a more reflective direction, with astonishing results.
"Fast" depicts the struggles of time passing, transitioning through life's different phases and a seemingly unstoppable pace. While not an entirely complex message, it is an important one and one that is handled with more than enough proficiency here. The song's message is one that nearly everyone can relate to, and one we must all hold close to our heart. Where "Fast" thrives is not only in its lyricism, however. The production, while leaning in a pop-country direction, remains relatively rooted within country territory. The melody and hook are among Bryan's best work, while the melancholic atmosphere works to enhance the on-paper songwriting.
Bryan's own performance, from a technical and performance standpoint, easily ranks among his best work, adding a depth of realism to an already universal message. On all counts, "Fast" is one of the finest efforts that mainstream country has offered up of late, and a career highlight for Bryan, who continually shoots well below his potential as an A-lister. More of this, please.
Grade: A
Listen: "Fast"
Author: Markus Meyer
"Fast" depicts the struggles of time passing, transitioning through life's different phases and a seemingly unstoppable pace. While not an entirely complex message, it is an important one and one that is handled with more than enough proficiency here. The song's message is one that nearly everyone can relate to, and one we must all hold close to our heart. Where "Fast" thrives is not only in its lyricism, however. The production, while leaning in a pop-country direction, remains relatively rooted within country territory. The melody and hook are among Bryan's best work, while the melancholic atmosphere works to enhance the on-paper songwriting.
Bryan's own performance, from a technical and performance standpoint, easily ranks among his best work, adding a depth of realism to an already universal message. On all counts, "Fast" is one of the finest efforts that mainstream country has offered up of late, and a career highlight for Bryan, who continually shoots well below his potential as an A-lister. More of this, please.
Grade: A
Listen: "Fast"
Author: Markus Meyer
