Harry Connick Jr. Departs From His Comfort Zone In “That Would Be Me”

Harry Connick Jr. takes a true departure out of his comfort zone in his new album released today, That Would Be Me. For the first time in 25 years, he worked in the studio with outside producers on this album which continues to stretch boundaries and embrace the plainspoken instincts that have guided him throughout his life.

When talking about the new album, Connick half-jokingly confided: “It’s the only time I’ve violently thrown myself out of my own comfort zone,’ enthusiastically agreeing to work in the studio with two ‘external’ producers. The noted collaborators he’s chosen are acclaimed musical craftsman in their own right – Producers Eg White (Sam Smith, Adele, Florence And The Machine), and Butch Walker (Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Pink, Weezer, Fall Out Boy). The result is a riveting album full of surprises and stirring musical conjurations, delivering great songs and new insights into a prolific artist who Butch Walker, himself, has called ‘an American musical treasure.’

TRACK LISTING:

1. (I Like It When You) Smile

2. (I Do) Like We Do

3. Tryin’ To Matter

4. Songwriter

5. Do You Really Need Her

6. You Don’t Need A Man

7. You Have No Idea

8. Where Prisoners Drown

9. (I Think I) Love You A Little Bit

10. Every Time I Fall In Love

11. Right Where It Hurts

I actually liked the second half of this album this best. I think it is because I am a sucker for love ballads. So not hard not to believe that Every Time I Fall In Love, You Have No Idea followed by Love You A Little Bit were my favorite tracks. Yes, this album was a departure from Harry’s usual style but not a derailment by any means. It is true reaching and stretching out of our comfort zone we can discover the best things await us there.

Are these the best things for Mr. Connick Jr. I highly doubt that he has reached his peak. He may say he is one year closer to dead in I Like It When You Smile but I think it is safe to say, “Harry there’s a lot of life in you yet and a lot of music in your soul!”

You can find this album on iTunes and Amazon. Check out the official Harry Connick Jr. Website and Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

I participated in the That Would Be Me album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.