Over the past year and a half, Jelly Roll has sold out venues across the country and won the title five times. advertising billboard’s country airplay chart, as well as a Grammy nomination and a Country Music Association New Artist of the Year Award — and, in another sign of his career’s rise, he received the coveted CMA honors at the upcoming ceremony in November. Entertainer of the Year honorable mention.whitster chapel).
But perhaps most importantly, the Antioch, Tenn., native has earned a reputation as a witty singer-songwriter who ditched his criminal past and previous career as a rapper for country-rock music A purveyor of redemptive change and a model for redemptive change, the artist’s songs serve as uplifting vessels for those with checkered pasts, regrets, current struggles and hope for a brighter day. Meanwhile, Jelly Roll’s gritty vocals and onstage banter are filled with missionary fervor, providing listeners with encouragement and support to believe those wishes can become a reality.
He continues this mission on his just-released new album, Beautiful brokena sprawling 22-song album, he doubled down on his message of a redemption arc, starting with an image of a man attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Beautiful brokenThe opening song “Winning Streak”. Along the way, he talks about the emotional impact of life-changing success, writes clever love songs, and gets vulnerable in his hope for his family. Jelly Roll has seemingly collaborated with most major country artists in some way over the past year or so; on this album, he’s leaning into his own rock and roll roots with collaborations with MGK, Ilsey, and Wiz Khalifa. A tribute to rap’s roots.
Although he released 13 tracks in 2023 whitster chapel Just missed the coronation spot advertising billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart (and debuted at No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200), and he seems poised to smash those numbers with his new album.
One song from the album, “Get By,” has been selected as ESPN’s college football anthem for the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, Jelly Roll is bringing his redemption songs to audiences across the country (including coveted venues like Madison Square Garden) on his headlining “Beautifully Broken” tour, which runs through November. With this album, it looks like he’ll be adding more life-giving songs to his live shows.
Below, we’ve ranked all 22 songs Beautiful broken.
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“Not pretty”
With his gruff vocals, Jelly Roll delivers some clear observations on “Unpretty,” such as “I hate the person I once was / But he’ll always be a part of me.” But sonically, the song It doesn’t stand out from the other sounds on the album.
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“guilty”
He delivers another love song here, and although this one sometimes dives into lyrical clichés, his performance is imbued with rock music ferocity, making for a song that’s sure to be a fan favorite at concerts.
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“combustion”
Continuing his penchant for spiritual invocations, with airy, folky percussion supporting pounding guitars, Jelly Roll sings of yearning for a better way of life, or as he puts it, “trying to get between reality and reality” Find some way”. Wire”.
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“Higher Than Heaven” (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
The song’s melody, fronted by Jelly Roll and Wiz Khalifa, was perfect for the packed arena and wrapped in searing rock guitar. Their voices do complement each other well, although the song would benefit from more input from Khalifa and a smoother transition into their respective parts.
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“past”
Starting with its opening riff, “Get By” quickly transforms into a gospel-tinged stomping song focused on finding a comfortable balance between compulsion for various vices and the pull toward cleaner living , he sings nonchalantly, turning from wild night to holy night.
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“Time of Day” (feat. MGK)
Jelly Roll and MGK have collaborated on “Lonely Road” before, and this time they team up again, with MGK leading the first verse. The sparse piano ballad shares some similarities with “Unpretty,” acknowledging that even with progress, bouts of imposter syndrome can make it difficult to overcome previous mistakes.
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“Heart of Stone”
Over rippling acoustic guitars and tight, punchy percussion, he conveys the arrival of a pivotal moment when the need for change outweighs habits and decisions. “I’m on my knees looking up/I need a different kind of medicine,” Jelly Roll sings, and the chorus provides a moment for Jelly Roll to show off his range, hitting the high notes with angst and passion.
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‘Everyone is bleeding’
Handclaps, soulful background vocals, melodious guitars, and stately percussion dominate this track, which is consistent with the unifying, shared-pain message of some of Jelly Roll’s other songs on the album. Here, he reminds us that while life is unfair and some people will reach higher peaks or lower valleys, everyone will experience pain, rejection, and frustration to some degree, regardless of their status.
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“liar”
Over a swampy, urgent guitar riff, Jelly Roll directly confronts the broken promises of materialism and dependence on drugs and alcohol, on lines like “One more whiskey, one more pill/Money makes you happy, heaven Doesn’t exist” shouts out the appeal of these vices. Not true. ” Thick percussion, Jelly Roll’s gritty and soulful vocals, and a passionate backing chorus give the song a joyful defiance, making it one of the catchiest songs on the album.
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“Little Light”
With gentle guitars, stately percussion and shimmering banjo rumbles, Jelly Roll moves from lyrics that speak directly to the listener to vivid character sketches of people whose lives have been derailed by prison time and drugs. He acknowledged that darkness can make people give up, but also urged listeners to have hope.
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“When medicine doesn’t work” (feat. Ilsey)
Jelly Roll teams up with Ilsey to create this sparkling pop melody that inspires both singers’ voices.
“I’m hurt, I’m ashamed/I’m the one who caused the pain,” Jelly Roll sings, while IIsey’s vocal sheen makes the lyrics understand the disappointment that comes when “the city you love is affected.” The soul/medicine no longer works. All in all, the song is a blend of smooth radio sounds and a vulnerable message of finding a safe place to land.
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“grace”
He slowed down the tempo to create this empowering ballad about finding hope and grace in the midst of hardship and vulnerability. Gentle guitar accentuates his voice here, providing moments of space on some of the album’s harder rock songs.
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“What’s wrong with me”
The 22-track album ends with another piano-woven, gospel-tinged song about accepting all sides of your story, your peaks, regrets and bleak moments, while forging ahead and confidently serving you. Write a new chapter in your life story. The song’s concise melody and bright instrumentation provide an uplifting conclusion to the album’s journey of redemption.
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“Rebirth”
Jelly Roll is a funky, uptempo, piano-backed piece of defiance that picks up the pace again here, and even as he sings about regret and emotional frustration, he uses his full vocals to express his determination to transcend himself.
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“Hey mom”
The song features Jelly Roll and stupid blonde Podcast founder Bunnie XO (to whom he is married) told her he missed her while they were recording in the studio. This love song and examination of life on the road is a refreshing change of pace on the album.
He delivers a romantic song about missing a loved one, detailing the hardships of the road, from breakdowns on the road to driving on the trails at night from one concert to another. “One day the phone won’t be our only connection,” he sang, assuring her that he would be home as soon as possible. This song is sure to resonate with anyone who has been away from home for an extended period of time.
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“listen to me”
Rock-tinged country music drives the story, which follows a young man trying to cope with the loss of his mother, while a young woman tries her best to raise her children while dealing with the odds. Like many, they called for sympathetic ears and people willing to help, and he answered their call by singing about being a friend.
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“Winning Streak”
“Jelly Roll” opens the album with a scene of a man attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, trying to begin recovery from drug addiction and struggling to stay sober. “I met a guy who was clean for 20 years/He said, ‘Everyone here feels the same failure,'” Jelly Roll sings, with the help of a choir, making it clear that the new album intends to continue to pay tribute to the wounded. People, the lost, the broken, offering compassion, understanding and the solace of music.
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“What is needed”
Continuing his redemption arc over a grid of drums and searing guitar, Jelly Roll details all the things the “silver-tongued devil” steals from a person, including self-worth, hope, and peace. As always, his anguished tenor conducts the melody here.
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“I’m not fine”
“Jelly Roll” delves into the nuances of insomnia, depression, and emotional breakdown, explaining how a person learns to hide behind a social facade. He stares into the cracks in the facade, a voice of knowing and reasoning, and while the present moment may be filled with pain, ultimate hope remains. The song blends lyrical intimacy with stadium-sized vocals while also marking one of the Tennessee native’s best vocal performances on the album, highlighting the subtle cracks in his voice that make this The song feels believable and sincere.
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“Smiling so much”
“Jelly Roll” returns to a fusion of country, rock and hip-hop beats, but the song also overflows with gratitude. In addition to his music, the singer-songwriter is also known for his happy, huge personality. Here he directly gives the reason for his cheerful character.
“When you step out of the shadows, you want to be a light/When you’re not supposed to be alive, every day is a blessing,” he sings in what is sure to become an anthem for many viewers.
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“Miss”
Jelly Roll once again switches things up a bit with this sultry slow jam, accompanied by a series of amorous declarations in which he declares his dependence on his lover. Even though Jelly Roll’s hit collection is primarily focused in the country-rock realm, he’s proven that he can dig deep into his soulful side with aplomb.
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“My Cross”
Although many songs are in Beautiful broken “My Cross” has spiritual elements and focuses more on the father’s hopes and dreams without his own mistakes, burdens, addictions, and/or habits being carried over to new generations. It marks one of the album’s most vulnerable, crafted, and country-leaning songs, as he sings, “I pray every day that I love you enough/So the cross I have to bear won’t be yours.” Subtle strings allow the message to carry the song, especially in the inspiring lyrics, “When you make a mistake on your own/I hope you know you’ll never go through it alone.”