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Single Review: Florida Georgia Line- "Confession"

12/11/2015

2 Comments

 
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When someone mentions the name "Florida Georgia Line", the natural instinct for many is to cringe. Despite the fact that I've been much, much lighter on the than many critics, it's hard to deny that they're an unquestionably polarizing duo, and that much of their material is sub-par. However, they may be on the right track to winning some people with their latest effort, "Confession".

"Confession" is a major change of pace for Florida Georgia Line. With a moody, atmospheric production that, while still a tad overbearing, demonstrates some restraint, as well as a general tone that feels much more serious than their past work, "Confession" feels like a nice change of pace even from a technical standpoint. But where they make up major points is, obviously, in the lyrical content. While their past hits, with a couple exceptions, have largely followed the thematic makeup of bro-country, this record is a song of self-reflection and regret that can all be encapsulated by the closing line of "hope he's moving in the right direction". Even with the overhaul however, they do maintain some positive elements of their discography, namely the hooky melody and Tyler Hubbard's confident delivery.

They may still have some work to do in terms of winning over the critic community, but should they continue in the footsteps of "Confession", they'll be well on their way to doing so.
​
Grade: A
Listen: "Confession"

By Markus Meyer

2 Comments
George
12/12/2015 06:29:11 am

No idea what you talking about, this is nothing but the same tedious, overproduced, non country cliché from the Beavis and Butthead of country music.

Reply
Nadia Lockheart
12/22/2015 10:22:16 am

I wouldn't go so far as to give this an A.

Most of my reasoning comes down to the production of the chorus. Joey Moi still relies on the "shove-everything-to-the-front-of-the-mix" crutch and, thus, tries his level best to ruin any attempt at emotional release and nuance with the song on its own. Its cacophonous, Audio Wars-marred chorus production does get in the way.

*

Beyond that crucial misstep, however, I genuinely like "Confession".

I dare say the lyrics are the strongest aspect of this song (I know, that's funny saying aloud, considering it's a Florida Georgia Line song.................but it's true). I love how rich in imagery the lyrics are and easily paint an ambiguous collage in your mind's eye as you listen: replete with glare of headlights, rings of smoke, chemtrails, clouds of dust, barbed wire fencing, a setting sun, embers....................all descriptions that I can easily take in and set the scene.

I also love how they shape the ambiguity of where the narrator is at. Why does he feel the need to disappear somewhere? Why is life a little sideways? Why is there a crack in the rear view mirror? We never know the answers to these questions, but that sort of ambiguity actually strengthens the song. Because, sometimes, life doesn't present us with instant gratification. Sometimes life doesn't make sense. The best we can do is keep searching widely, and I love how late in the song they raise the stakes more with the open-ended line: "Hope he's moving in the right direction!"

Which is where the production of the verses comes in. The spacey, hazy production fits the semi-melancholic flavor of the lyrics hand in glove. It also helps that Hubbard's vocals are decidedly more understated here. I know plenty are going to take issue with his Auto-Tune soused, exaggerated drawl no matter what.............but at this point I've just come to accept that is Hubbard's signature vocal style for better or worse, and it honestly doesn't distract here the way it did on the majority of tracks from their first two albums. If anything, Hubbard doesn't get enough credit for knowing how to squeeze out some emotion by making the most of his painfully limited vocal range. And there are times he has succeeded at that: including "Dirt", "Hell Raisin' Heat of the Summer", and..............yes..............."Confession".

*

So, yeah: "Confession" is definitely imperfect, but all the same I do like this a great deal and it's among my favorite singles currently impacting mainstream country/"country" radio.

I'm thinking a strong B to a light B+ for this one.

Reply



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    A country music fan from B.C., Canada. You can find his work at theshotgunseat.com. You can follow Markus on twitter at @Markus_Meyer27.

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