Brett Eldredge Glow (Deluxe) Review

By: Elberton Cisnero

Country artist Brett Eldredge is a songwriter and record producer, signed to Warner Music Group Nashville. The cousin of Terry Eldredge of The Grascals.  Brett Eldredge has garnered three Number one singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart from his debut studio album, Bring You Back: “Don’t Ya,” “Beat of the Music,” and “Mean to Me,” which catapulted Eldredge’s career.  A succession of singles kept Eldredge in the public eye, but it was his sixth single overall, “Lose My Mind,” released in 2015, That would lead to his second studio album, Illinois.  Which consequently hit the number slot on the Country Airplay chart in October 2015. The album’s second single, “Drunk on Your Love” released to country radio on November 9, 2015. It reached number two on the Country Airplay chart in April 2016. The album’s third single, “Wanna Be That Song” released to country radio on May 23, 2016. It reached  number one on the Country Airplay in January 2017.

Landing the opener slot on Taylor Swift’s Red Tour was a singular game changer. On Memorial Day 2015, he sang “Take Me Out to The Ballgame” during the seventh Inning Stretch at Wrigley Field while the Cubs played host to the Washington Nationals. The audience was so overtaken by Eldredge it cemented his fan status with country music fans.  Eldredge released his first Christmas album, Glow, in October 2016, and now in 2018, the re-release of this hit album is titled Glow (Deluxe), which features 18 cuts over the 11 already released on the 2016 offering.

A swinging feeling emanates from Glow (Deluxe).  Adorned with a swinging Big Band, Eldredge has a nice warm and round vocal style, with a bit of rat-pack-esque phrasing.  Tunes like “Do You Hear What I Hear,” not on the original holiday album, offer a more pop sensibility.  Eldredge’s voice is deep and warm.  His chest voice resonates with the lyrics, a key change after the first form offers a lift to the melody that takes Eldredge easily into his head voice. The song continues with another modulation that once again takes Eldredge to a more emotional tone in his voice, for a seductive ending in his low tones for the outro.

A fun-filled tune “Holly Jolly Christmas” also not on the original Glow, is not just for the kiddies, once again featuring a large ensemble sound.  Eldredge is in a playful state. The highlight is when peddle steel is added to the big band swing sound, giving it a country overtone for those fans used to hearing Eldredge sing in the Country music genre.

I would be remiss if I did not focus on the A capella version of “The First Noel,” a stunning reminder of this artists prowess as a vocalist. In the days of auto-tune and doubling young vocalists’ voices to hide their under-developed voices, his siren voice is a welcomed emotional take on a classic tune. Eldredge is inspired, his voice is luxurious, and his pitch is focused and warming.  A phenomenal idea to add this track, adding up to an experience from beginning to end. Glow (Deluxe) has it all, but the main ingredient is Eldredge’s resplendent voice.

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Elberton Cisnero

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