Mr. Sun [B&N Exclusive] [Sky Blue Vinyl]

by Little Big Town

Overview

Take the title Mr. Sun to heart. This, Little Big Town's tenth proper studio album, is filled with sweetness, hope, and light, a record built for comfort, not speed. Consider the overwhelming sweetness as the band's way of processing the upheaval generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of wallowing in sorrow, they bask in the sunshine; even the slower ballads act as a balm, serving up soothing melodies instead of sadness. Such relentless positivity isn't monochromatic in the hands of Little Big Town -- which is good, as the record runs a very long 16 tracks. At that length, there's no avoiding a bit of sag. A whole lot of sweetness and light can be slightly stultifying, even when the slow tunes are executed with the precision of a pro. As good as those ballads are, Mr. Sun really springs to life when there's a slight spring in the group's step. The opener "All Summer" is candied perfection, a 1970s soft-rock melody given a spiffy reupholstering," "Heaven Had a Dance Floor" is a new wave spin on adult contemporary new wave, "Gold" is a bright rewrite of Maren Morris' "Rich," "Song Back" is a bright, pulsating number for a mature dance floor, while "Whiskey Colored Eyes" provides an ideal soundtrack for a sepia-toned sunset. These are the songs that give Mr. Sun its pulse and help keep things humming on this amiable affair. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	09/16/2022
Label:	Barnes & Noble
UPC:	0602448016669

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Little Big Town   Primary Artist,Vocals
Akil Thompson   Keyboards,Percussion,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Todd Clark   Keyboards,Percussion,Guitar (Electric)
Tim Galloway   Banjo,Mandolin,Percussion,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Daniel Tashian   Guitar (Electric)
Jedd Hughes   Guitar (Electric)
Karen Fairchild   Tambourine
Phillip Sweet   Keyboards,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
John Thomasson   Bass
Luke Dick   Clavichord,Percussion
Evan Weatherford   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Hubert Payne   Drums,Percussion
Alysa Vanderheym   Percussion,Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Shane McAnally   Composer
Jason Hall   Editing
Corey Crowder   Composer
Little Big Town   Producer
Liz Rose   Composer
Sean McConnell   Composer
Todd Clark   Composer,Producer,Recording
Sarah Buxton   Composer
Rob Kinelski   Mixing,Engineer
Hillary Lindsey   Composer
Daniel Tashian   Composer
Jordan Schmidt   Composer
Cary Barlowe   Composer
Trent Dabbs   Composer
Karen Fairchild   Composer,Art Direction
Jimi Westbrook   Composer
Lori McKenna   Composer
Phillip Sweet   Composer
Foy Vance   Composer
Josh Osborne   Composer
Kimberly Schlapman   Composer
Luke Dick   Composer,Producer
Sara Haze   Composer
Madi Diaz   Composer
Ashley Ray   Composer
Jesse Frasure   Composer
Audra Mae   Composer
Steven Lee Olsen   Composer
Josh Reynolds   Recording,Programming,Vocal Engineer
Jared Mullins   Composer
Kelly Jarrell   Art Direction
Mary Hooper   Design,Art Direction
Jason Saenz   Composer
Scott Johnson   Production Coordination
Tofer Brown   Composer
Tyler Hubbard   Composer
Tommy English   Composer
Casey Cuayo   Assistant Engineer
Nicolette Hayford   Composer
Joe Trentacosti   Assistant Engineer
Chris Allgood   Mastering Engineer
Emily Lazar   Mastering Engineer
Zaq Reynolds   Assistant Engineer
Sarah Marie Burke   A&R
Alysa Vanderheym   Composer,Producer
Kera Jackson   Art Producer
Savana Santos   Composer
Eli Heisler   Assistant Engineer
Ashley Kohorst   Design,Art Direction
Jacob Butler   Assistant Engineer
Femke   Programming
Nico Salgado   Assistant Engineer
Blair Getz Mezibov   Photography