Unapologetically

by Kelsea Ballerini

Overview

Unapologetically is a defiant title for a sweet record, yet it also suits Kelsea Ballerini's second album. Emboldened by the success of her 2015 debut The First Time, Ballerini embraces the possibilities of being a country-pop star, expanding her sonic palette and allowing herself to seem vulnerable throughout the album. Of the two evolutions, the former is the easiest to notice, as Unapologetically is a bold, colorful record that relies heavily on gleaming electronic surfaces and drum loops. Compared to the soft focus of The First Time, Unapologetically feels cinematic, filled with grand gestures and unexpected shifts in tone. Even the intimate moments feel heightened, dressed with ornate guitars and whispering keyboards, and there's even a buried voicemail on "In Between." Ballerini's voice may still sound youthful in places -- that's a large part of her charm -- but even when she's looking back at "High School," she's not juvenile: Like her clear idol Taylor Swift, she's writing about matters of the heart with sensitivity. And like Swift, Ballerini does seem to have her eye on a mainstream pop stardom that doesn't exist entirely within the confines of country music. Make no mistake, Unapologetically is certainly a country record -- there's an adherence to old-fashioned song structure and a bit of an arena twang threaded throughout the record -- but every number is given a slick electronic gloss that pushes it in the direction of adult contemporary MOR. Far from being a detriment, however, that's the strength of Unapologetically: It remains vibrant and fresh even though it sounds measured and mature. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/26/2018
Label:	Black River
UPC:	0851491003397
Rank:	64222

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kelsea Ballerini   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
The Chainsmokers   Primary Artist
David Dorn   Organ,Piano,Strings,Keyboards,Synthesizer
David Hodges   Guitar (Acoustic)
Hillary Lindsey   Vocals (Background)
Rob McNelley   Guitar
Fred Eltringham   Drums
Lee Hendricks   Bass
Kris Donegan   Guitar
Derek Wells   Guitar (Steel),Guitar (Electric)
Adam Shoenfeld   Guitar (Electric)
Jason Massey   Drums,Organ,Mandolin,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Robbins   Piano,Guitar (Acoustic)
Evan Hutchings   Drums
Zach Crowell   Guitar (Acoustic)
Lindsay Rimes   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Nicolle Galyon   Vocals (Background)
Nir "Z" Zidkyahu   Drums
Forest Glen Whitehead   Bass,Mandolin,Keyboards,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Jennifer Denmark   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Nick Lobel   Mixing Assistant
Brett Hodges   Composer
F. Reid Shippen   Mixing
David Hodges   Composer
Shane McAnally   Composer,Producer
Greg Wells   Composer
Robert Orton   Mixing
Katie Moore   Art Direction,Package Design
Ashley Gorley   Composer
Hillary Lindsey   Composer
Andrew Mendelson   Mastering
Chris Lord-Alge   Mixing
Ally Venable   Creative Director
Jim Cooley   Engineer
Sarah Barlow   Photography
Ryan Gore   Engineer
Ross Copperman   Composer,Programming
Jason Massey   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Drum Programming,Brass Arrangement,String Arrangements
Jimmy Robbins   Composer,Producer,Programming
Sean Moffitt   Mixing
Trevor Rosen   Composer
Zach Crowell   Composer
Kam Luchterhand   Assistant
James Abrahart   Composer
Lindsay Rimes   Composer,Producer,Programming,String Arrangements
Stephen Schofield   Photography
Nicolle Galyon   Composer
Jonathan Roye   Mixing
Kelsea Ballerini   Composer
Forest Glen Whitehead   Composer,Producer
Dan Mikesell   Composer,Mixing Assistant
Jennifer Denmark   Composer