Old Dominion has been riding high on the success of their debut album Meat and Candy and there’s been much anticipation for its followup. Their previous hit singles “Break Up with Him”, “Snapback”, and “Song for Another Time” received massive airplay on the Country radio stations. No doubt, these were all crowd favorites. (I would know, I was hoping the song would play every time I was in the car.)
The band somewhat delivers with Happy Endings which features my current favorite country song, “Shoe Shopping.” This album is a semi-mature version to their Meat and Candy sound, with songs about love, bitter heartbreak, and more love. If you know Country, you can’t go wrong with a song about love. Which, believe it or not, is just about 90% of the songs are about despite the mainstream thinking Country musicians talk mostly about tractors and drinking 24 hours.
The album itself is an up and down wave of lusting after a girl to hating the girl to trying to get another to eventually never dating anyone at all because of obstacles. It’s a mix of emotions but isn’t being a relationship a mix of emotions? Old Dominion is well-known for bringing the catchy, relatable songs to life. Maybe not earth-breaking lyrics but it’s good enough to get you up and dancing or nodding.
Our personal favorites goes to “Stars in the City”, “Shoe Shopping”, “Written in the Sand”, and “Not Everything’s About You.” Literally, all four songs explain the highs and lows of a relationship. “Shoe Shopping” is when you’re in the flirting stage of a relationship, wanting to go after a girl to start a relationship. “Stars in the City” is the happy stage of a relationship when you’re absolutely infatuated with your significant other. You recognize all the good she/he brings out in you.
“Written in the Sand” is the part of the relationship where you’re figuring out where you two stand – are you a permanent thing or is it time to let go and erase the relationship? “Not Everything’s About You” perfectly ties everything together. It’s Country’s version of, “Nah, I could do better without you. I don’t need you. Not everything will remind me of you and I overcame it. Bye.”
Overall, Old Dominion’s “Happy Endings” will leave you happy and relaxed to listen to the album but it wouldn’t be listed in our 10 ten country albums of the year. Doesn’t mean you won’t see us blasting this on a long drive though! Cheers to Old Dominion!
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