This Is The Heavy – Mitchell Tenpenny

Mitchell Tenpenny’s This Is The Heavy is an album that lives up to its name, delivering a compelling mix of heart, depth, and musical weight. Released in September 2022, this sophomore effort further cements Tenpenny as a unique voice in modern country music. The album leans into the singer-songwriter’s signature blend of country, pop, and rock influences, while also diving deeper into personal stories, exploring themes of love, loss, and life’s complicated emotions. Tenpenny, known for his gravelly vocals and raw emotional delivery, manages to strike a balance between vulnerability and strength across this 20-track project.

The album opens with “This Is The Heavy,” an aptly titled introduction that sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s a bold and brash start, with booming instrumentation and Tenpenny’s unmistakable voice guiding listeners through a sonic landscape that’s both familiar and daring. Right from the start, it’s clear that this album isn’t afraid to take risks, both musically and lyrically. The production is slick but maintains enough grit to give the track a sense of authenticity. The title track itself is a nod to the themes Tenpenny will explore throughout the album—heaviness, in all its forms, from emotional burdens to the weight of love.

One of Tenpenny’s strengths as an artist has always been his ability to write songs that feel personal, yet universal. This Is The Heavy is filled with tracks that reflect on deeply personal experiences, yet they’re delivered in a way that feels relatable to the listener. “We Got History” is a perfect example of this. It’s a song about reflecting on a past relationship, acknowledging the good and bad, and ultimately making peace with what’s left. The lyric, “We got history / But the past is the past, and I’ll let it be” captures the bittersweet nature of moving on, and Tenpenny delivers it with a sense of emotional maturity.

On “Good Place,” Tenpenny tackles self-reflection and emotional growth, themes that resonate throughout the album. The song’s chorus is anthemic, with Tenpenny singing, “I’m finally in a good place / Took a little time, but I made space.” It’s the kind of track that speaks to anyone who’s gone through a period of personal transformation, making it one of the standout songs on the album. The production, with its layered instrumentation and polished sound, complements the song’s message, adding to its uplifting vibe.

What sets This Is The Heavy apart from other contemporary country albums is Tenpenny’s seamless blending of genres. He isn’t confined to traditional country music structures and sounds, instead choosing to incorporate elements of pop and rock, giving the album a broader appeal. Tracks like “Always Something With You” and “Elephant In The Room” showcase Tenpenny’s ability to mix catchy pop hooks with the storytelling tradition of country music. The former is a fun, upbeat song about the complexities of relationships, while the latter features a harder edge, with rock-leaning guitars that add weight to the song’s emotional tension.

“Bucket List” is another example of this genre-blending approach. It’s a song that veers more towards pop, but its message of living life to the fullest is grounded in country storytelling. Tenpenny sings about wanting to tick off items from his bucket list before it’s too late, but there’s a sense of urgency in the song that feels grounded in reality. It’s a song that reminds the listener of the fleeting nature of life, but with an infectious melody that makes it feel hopeful rather than somber.

Love, in all its forms, is a central theme of This Is The Heavy. Whether it’s the elation of falling in love or the pain of heartbreak, Tenpenny delves into these emotions with sincerity and depth. On “Do You,” he explores the vulnerability that comes with opening yourself up to someone, while “More Than Whiskey Does” deals with the emptiness of trying to fill a void with fleeting pleasures. These tracks highlight Tenpenny’s emotional range, moving from moments of joy to heartbreak with ease.

“Cry Baby” stands out as one of the most emotionally raw songs on the album. Tenpenny’s voice cracks with emotion as he sings about a relationship that’s unraveling, but he also conveys a sense of resignation, as if he knows that some things just aren’t meant to be. The minimalistic production allows Tenpenny’s vocals to take center stage, making the listener feel every word.

The album’s production is polished, yet it never feels overproduced. Each track is meticulously crafted, with layers of sound that add to the emotional weight of the lyrics. Whether it’s the swelling strings in “Good Place” or the driving beat in “Truth About You,” the production always complements the song’s message. Tenpenny worked with a team of talented producers who helped bring his vision to life, and it’s evident that every element of the album was carefully considered.

At the same time, the production doesn’t overshadow Tenpenny’s voice. His vocals are always at the forefront, guiding the listener through the emotional ups and downs of the album. The balance between instrumentation and vocals is one of the album’s strongest points, allowing Tenpenny’s storytelling to shine through.

While This Is The Heavy delivers on many fronts, there are a few moments where the album feels slightly repetitive. Some of the mid-tempo tracks, while well-crafted, blend together after a few listens. Songs like “Losers” and “Miss You Cause I’m Drinking” don’t quite stand out as much as some of the more unique offerings on the album, though they still fit within the overall theme.

However, these minor quibbles don’t take away from the album’s overall impact. This Is The Heavy is a cohesive body of work that shows growth from Tenpenny as both a songwriter and an artist.

This Is The Heavy is a testament to Mitchell Tenpenny’s ability to craft music that feels both personal and universally relatable. The album’s title reflects not only the emotional weight of the songs but also the heavy impact Tenpenny continues to have on the country music landscape. By blending genres and tackling themes of love, loss, and personal growth, Tenpenny has created an album that resonates on multiple levels.

Whether you’re a fan of country music or just appreciate well-crafted, emotionally charged songs, This Is The Heavy is an album worth listening to. It’s clear that Tenpenny has a lot more to say, and with this album, he’s proven that he’s not afraid to dig deep and get heavy.