It has been nearly four years since Blake Shelton released a full-length album, but you’d never know it given how much he’s remained at the forefront of country radio. ‘Body Language’ is Shelton’s eleventh studio release and he’s showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Singing about love and heartbreak is a staple of his music and there’s plenty of that to go around on this album.
The song with the biggest potential to be a radio hit would easily be ‘Monday Mornin’ Missin’ You.’ It’s a subject that’s been heard before, where a guy drinks to get over a breakup, but ultimately makes the heartbreak even worse. Shelton’s delivery is what kept me interested. The connection to the lyrics is often what makes or breaks a song, and I actually felt like he was authentically in pain, even though he’s got a thriving relationship with Gwen Stefani. Too often there’s “filler songs” that are needed to complete an album, but this song is definitely not one of them. Shelton ended the album with the promotional single ‘Bible Verses,’ which is arguably the best song in this collection. Everyone can relate to not feeling good enough or wanting to be a better person. The journey of growth to become that person is sometimes greater than the destination. I was fully engrossed in what he was singing, because I have felt those things before.
Unfortunately, not every track on ‘Body Language’ is a success. ‘Corn’ is a country cliché mess of a song. I’m not even sure what the purpose of it was supposed to be. It was the first time this year where I nearly turned a song off before it even finished. It is an automatic skip and you’ll thank me later. When I hear songs like ‘The Girl Can’t Help It,’ I often think of “what would Maddie & Tae’s reaction to this be?” I get there’s an audience for this type of song where it basically reduces a woman to something that should be gawked at. I would have hoped we’d moved past this type of objectification in country music by now.
‘Body Language’ has some highlights and some lowlights, but overall it’s what we’ve come to expect from a veteran like Blake Shelton. Fans of his music won’t be disappointed in what this album has to offer. To judge for yourself, listen to ‘Body Language’ here and let us know what you think.
