Brett Eldredge Returns With Vulnerability And Richness, Sets New Album For July 10 [Interview]

Brett Eldredge. Photo: Greg Noire

After spending some time off the grid, reflecting and creating, Brett Eldredge is ready to release a new collection of music for the first time in almost three years.

The time spent alone drew out some of the most vulnerable music Eldredge has released, starting with a song about reflecting on a lost love, called “Gabrielle.” The single is the first taste of his album Sunday Drive, due out July 10 via Warner Music Nashville. The Paris, Illinois native recorded the project with Grammy-winning duo Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk at Shirk Studios in Chicago. Tashian and Fitchuk also co-wrote “Gabrielle” alongside Eldredge, which is the first song he recorded for the new project.

“They’re incredible people and incredible creators, so it’s a really special song to be the first single,” Eldredge tells MusicRow. “It’s a very good indicator of what the album holds and the depths of the record, and the distinct sound of the record. From the intro of the piano and everything, it’s pretty powerful.

“[‘Gabrielle’] is very personal, it’s very honest,” Eldredge says. “I got the feeling of like, ‘Wow, I feel like I’ve known this song for a long time.’ This whole album has that sentiment, and that sense of warmth.”

Chicago’s influence comes through on the music that Eldredge has released thus far from Sunday Drive. The piano-driven “Gabrielle” has a jazz flavor that works really well with Eldredge’s rich vocal tone. Further, a tune he wrote with Ross Copperman, “Crowd My Mind,” really stands up as another piano-led ballad, with an intimate blues vibe.

His “Where The Heart Is,” written with Jessie Jo Dillon and Tyler Johnson, encourages a message of human connection. The tune, occasionally backed by beautiful string sections, feels particularly timely given the chaotic times we are faced with.

“What in the world are we all doing here,” Eldredge sings. “What do we see, what do we see, when we look in the mirror? ‘Cause I’m just lookin’, lookin’ for somethin’ true. And I believe that I might find it, maybe I’ll find it in you. Just show me where the heart is.”

As far as releasing new music in the wake of the social distancing era brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Eldredge is optimistic that the music will connect, despite the limited promotion opportunities for in-person meetings, and a radio tour.

“I know one thing for certain is in tough times we always have music and I’ve got some really special music to get out there and I think it’ll help us,” Eldredge says. “Any way that we can all connect more with ourselves and with each other in these tough times, and if music can help with that a lot, I’d love to play a little part in that. That’s what I go to in these times, I go listen to music.

“I’m going to push forward and get this music out there and I’m excited to hopefully be an escape for some people in tough times, and also be encouraging and some optimism. We’re all going to push on through and come out the other side together. It’s going to be all right.”

Sunday Drive is available for pre-order here, while “Crowd My Mind,” “Where the Heart Is” and “Gabrielle” are available for download and streaming now.