Singer
Kane Brown
balances earnest emotions and big pop hooks on his fourth album, 2025's
The High Road
. Ever since his breakthrough 2016 debut,
Brown
has garnered wide crossover appeal, applying the warm natural resonance of his voice to a series of heartfelt country anthems that make the most of his sincere charm. He has also pushed the boundary of his sound, incorporating rock, hip-hop and electronic flourishes into his work. It's that varied approach he again takes on
, peppering the largely rustic, country-leaning album with several robust pop productions. Helping him here are several guests, including DJ
Marshmello
on the high-energy "Miles on It" and
Khalid
on the twangy, country-R&B number "Rescue." There's also the backwoods hip-hop team-up with
Jelly Roll
on "Haunted." What's surprising about these genre-fusion collaborations are just how effective they are, never drawing too much attention away from
and always hitting a sweet spot where country meets contemporary pop. Yet, it's those more traditional, introspective moments where
reveals his love for his family, as on "3" and "Backseat Driver," as well as on the two duets with his wife, singer
Katelyn Brown
, that further underscore his down-home, heart-on-the-sleeve appeal. ~ Matt Collar