Drake Milligan Tumbleweed Review
I feel lucky that I really enjoy watching America’s Got Talent auditions. Without them, I wouldn’t have stumbled across Texan superstar Drake Milligan early in his career, one that I have been able to watch and enjoy ever since.
And whilst *that* performance of “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” endeared himself to American country music fans, it was a 2023 appearance at C2C UK that made him a must see performer whenever he takes a trip over the pond.
After headlining The Long Road Festival in the UK earlier this year, Milligan is set to begin “The Tumbleweed World Tour” on November 11th, headlining Nashville’s iconic Brooklyn Bowl. Shows in The Netherlands, Germany and the UK for C2C coupled with newly announced appearances in Paris and Leuven will mean his global fanbase get to hear the album live.
In this modern music world, we have more and more country music acts veering into the pop world and you can’t help but feel like Milligan plays music of a bygone era throughout the album. Acts like Post Malone and Ed Sheeran getting more and more involved with the country music space is definitely a good thing, but there is something about Drake Milligan’s ability to take you back in time, creating music that could almost be described as “authentically country”.
The Texan recently was invited to perform ahead of the Austin F1 Grand Prix, and in many ways, the album feels as polished as the most glamourous sport in the world. Whether it’s “Tumbleweed” itself, the title-track and lead single, or the fun and flirty “Turn it Off”, the songs feel warm and rounded. It gives you the freedom as a listener to enjoy them as you like, whether that’s crying in the shower, holding hands with a loved one, or belting it out in the car.
In an interview with CMT, Milligan said the album comprises songs that he wrote “seven or eight years ago” as well as songs that he wrote in the last year. You can tell that despite this new polished edge, Milligan still has that raw country feel that makes him loved by fans of all eras. “Talk Texas” with its country swing feels plucked out of the 60s and the clever lyricism behind “Hearts Together” can’t help but give you that wry smile – it feels incredibly Blake Shelton (unsurprising when you realise that he has been on tour with him over the last year).
And whilst *that* performance of “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” endeared himself to American country music fans, it was a 2023 appearance at C2C UK that made him a must see performer whenever he takes a trip over the pond.
After headlining The Long Road Festival in the UK earlier this year, Milligan is set to begin “The Tumbleweed World Tour” on November 11th, headlining Nashville’s iconic Brooklyn Bowl. Shows in The Netherlands, Germany and the UK for C2C coupled with newly announced appearances in Paris and Leuven will mean his global fanbase get to hear the album live.
In this modern music world, we have more and more country music acts veering into the pop world and you can’t help but feel like Milligan plays music of a bygone era throughout the album. Acts like Post Malone and Ed Sheeran getting more and more involved with the country music space is definitely a good thing, but there is something about Drake Milligan’s ability to take you back in time, creating music that could almost be described as “authentically country”.
The Texan recently was invited to perform ahead of the Austin F1 Grand Prix, and in many ways, the album feels as polished as the most glamourous sport in the world. Whether it’s “Tumbleweed” itself, the title-track and lead single, or the fun and flirty “Turn it Off”, the songs feel warm and rounded. It gives you the freedom as a listener to enjoy them as you like, whether that’s crying in the shower, holding hands with a loved one, or belting it out in the car.
In an interview with CMT, Milligan said the album comprises songs that he wrote “seven or eight years ago” as well as songs that he wrote in the last year. You can tell that despite this new polished edge, Milligan still has that raw country feel that makes him loved by fans of all eras. “Talk Texas” with its country swing feels plucked out of the 60s and the clever lyricism behind “Hearts Together” can’t help but give you that wry smile – it feels incredibly Blake Shelton (unsurprising when you realise that he has been on tour with him over the last year).
Fan favourite “Slow Dancing to a Fast Song” also finally makes an appearance, with fans baying for its release ever since Milligan started playing it at his live shows. And whilst known for upbeat and fast songs, it’s the slow songs on the album that keep it grounded and enable to showcase his storytelling ability.
“Like the Moon” is perhaps the standout here, a story where Milligan loves a woman who is in love with someone else – “he’s like the sun/and I’m like the moon/your world revolves around him/my world revolves around you.” It’s an analogy that is so perfect and shocks me that I’ve not come across it before.
Overall, the album is undoubtedly a success, furthering Milligan’s now excellent repertoire of songs since his debut album “Dallas/Fort Worth”. More polished, more impactful and more experienced as he tours with some of the biggest names in country music, Drake Milligan is becoming a star in the scene, all while keeping the classics alive.
Tumbleweed by Drake Milligan is available to download and stream NOW
“Like the Moon” is perhaps the standout here, a story where Milligan loves a woman who is in love with someone else – “he’s like the sun/and I’m like the moon/your world revolves around him/my world revolves around you.” It’s an analogy that is so perfect and shocks me that I’ve not come across it before.
Overall, the album is undoubtedly a success, furthering Milligan’s now excellent repertoire of songs since his debut album “Dallas/Fort Worth”. More polished, more impactful and more experienced as he tours with some of the biggest names in country music, Drake Milligan is becoming a star in the scene, all while keeping the classics alive.
Tumbleweed by Drake Milligan is available to download and stream NOW
