Unapologetically [Deluxe Edition]

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:	11/02/2018
Label:	Sony Music
UPC:	0190759026120
Rank:	178545

Tracks

1. Graveyard
2. Miss Me More
3. Get Over Yourself
4. Roses
5. Machine Heart
6. In Between
7. High School
8. End of the World
9. I Hate Love Songs
10. Unapologetically
11. Music
12. Legends
13. Fun and Games
14. I Think I Fell in Love Today
15. Landslide [Live From Nashville]
16. This Feeling

Album Credits

Performance Credits

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

Technical Credits

Dan Mikesell   Composer,Mixing Assistant
Jennifer Denmark   Composer
Nick Lobel   Mixing Assistant
Brett Hodges   Composer
Ally Venable   Creative Director
Jim Cooley   Engineer
Sarah Barlow   Photography
Lindsay Rimes   Composer,Producer,Programming,String Arrangements
Stephen Schofield   Photography
Nicolle Galyon   Composer
Jonathan Roye   Mixing
Kelsea Ballerini   Composer
Forest Glen Whitehead   Composer,Producer
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
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