Hear Hunter Hayes’ High-Octane Trio of New Songs
Hunter Hayes turned 25 years old on Friday, September 9th, and in a Twitter post that day, the “Wanted” singer noted that his birthday goal was to have new music available to fans. “I say this counts… I’m so impatient,” he added in the post that included a link to a trio of new tunes, his first solo material since the single release of “21” in May 2015.
The first of the new offerings, “Yesterday’s Song” is a hard-driving, Keith Urban-like rocker, with some Lenny Kravitz-inspired guitar and a “nah nah” refrain reminiscent of Hayes’ most recent hit. A kiss-off to an old love and a look toward the bright future, Hayes is moving on to embrace a new tune and letting of “yesterday’s song” – a clever, totally appropriate way to introduce this surprisingly turbo-charged number.
“Looking at you now I believe someone up there’s looking out for me” is a key line in the upbeat “Amen,” which also includes a few melodic hallelujahs throughout. Whether it will end up side-by-side with “Yesterday’s Song” on Hayes’ next LP remains to be seen but the inspiring tune is a next obvious step – not to mention an obvious single for the Grammy-nominated guitar slinger.
A revved-up car engine kicks off the real standout of the three tracks. “Young Blood” is another rock-steady tune with a hint of Bonnie & Clyde-inspired danger at its lyrical core. Melodic and instantly memorable, it’s yet another fine example of how Hayes is stretching himself musically.
No matter how long the wait until Hayes’ new album, his fourth studio LP since his double-platinum-selling Warner Bros. debut in 2011, he has certainly stoked the fires of anticipation with this strong sampling.