Chris Young kicks into high gear, personally and professionally, on new album: 'I've Been Changing Things Up'

Key to the development of any artist's career is a keen sense of knowing which elements of their sound and style require development and exploration, and which should remain constant.

Leading up to Chris Young's ninth studio album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, released Friday (March 22) via his longtime label RCA Records Nashville, the 38-year-old singer-songwriter took stock of his life, both personally and professionally, and set out to make a series of changes. He switched management companies, joining Red Light Management. He also committed to improving his health, focusing on healthier meals and a training program with NFL coach Jeremy Holt, resulting in a 60-pound weight loss.

“I've been focusing on myself for the last year,” says Young Advertising sign. “I spent more time in the gym, changed some things in my career and spent a lot of time creatively on this album.”

His commitment to growth extends to his new album, which exudes an energetic sound as Young expands the range of subject matter that fans have come to expect from his songs. Young is also delving into music production. solo-produced three songs for the new project (he previously solo-produced “Tonight We're Dancing,” a 2021 song Famous friends), while continuing to work with his longtime co-producers Chris DeStefano and Corey Crowder.

“I was just switching things up, trying new things, and I feel like this album is even more special for that, just having the ability to grow and grow as an artist and a writer, but also as a producer,” Young says.

Since his self-titled debut in 2006, Young has garnered two Grammy nominations, more than a dozen Academy of Country Music Award nominations, and eight Country Music Association Award nominations for his work as an artist and producer. He won 11 Advertising sign Country Airplay topped the charts and along the way, forged a reputation as one of country music's most trusted creators.

While his new album features its share of raucous party anthems and slick country grooves that Young's fans have come to expect, the title track, which currently sits at No. 27 on Country Airplay, comes with a twist. “Young Love & Saturday Nights” interpolates the signature guitar riff from David Bowie's 1974 song “Rebel Rebel”—something Young says he initially balked at when he first heard the song's demo. The late Bowie is credited as a writer alongside Ashley Gorley, Josh Thompson and Jesse Frasure.

“We spent a whole day just listening to songs from multiple publishers. That started and I'm like, 'That's 'Rebel, Rebel.' it's fun to play that at shows and I think it's something that so many people can relate to. I've got a David Bowie cut on my record now, so that's really cool.”

While the album's title conjures up images of teenage years, freedom, and passionate romances (not to mention the singer's last name), at least one song on the album, “Getting Older,” suggests the challenge of aging gracefully and is a hat tip to Young's father, particularly the line, “If I have half a chance to be like my old man/ I'm not afraid to grow old.” Johnny Clawson, Dave Fenley and Kyle Sturrock are screenwriters on 'Getting Older'.

“I hadn't done anything like this before. it was something I was trying to say — trying to write — and I just couldn't,” Young says of the song. “Then one of my friends played me this song and I was like, 'I've got to record this before someone else gets it.' This hook is so strong. It's a really special song.”

Elsewhere, in “Everybody Grew Up,” he reflects on how, even though he and all his friends have grown up and traded the mowing charge for lawn mowing and other grown-up responsibilities, those youthful memories of small-town childhood aren't never far away “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” which Young wrote with Crowder and Cale Dodds, centers around what he imagines heaven will be like for man's best friend.

Of course, some things have remained constant, like Young's undeniable vocal power and his unwavering dedication to songwriting. As with many of his albums, he co-wrote much of the project, writing 15 of the album's 18 songs, including “Looking For You” and “What She Sees in Me”.

Meanwhile, songs detailing the nuances of relationships populate the album, including “Right Now,” which chronicles the “we/we” push and pull of a couple deciding whether to make their relationship official and the tender romance ballad “What does he see in me”. Otherwise, “Call It a Day” continues in the vein of the R&B-stuck love songs that have become a staple in Young's repertoire.

“That was something people expect my wheelhouse to be and you have to do it, right?” he says of “Call It a Day.” “I got to play some vocals on it, so that was fun.”

While country has certainly become cool again, with a slew of pop artists making country forays and a slew of newcomers chasing Zach Bryan's stripped-down, rock sound, Young is just focused on honing what he does best.

“I think I've been lucky enough to be around enough to see everything from LimeWire and Napster to TVs going away to LPs coming back to streaming,” he says. “This is indicative of how life is. If you are close enough, things will change. Especially as an artist, you have to be able to adapt to that. It's really cool that people still love country music, and they love all kinds of it. I think there will always be a place for it. I think country music is based on country music that tells stories — and sad songs and waltzes,” he says, referencing the Willie Nelson-penned tune that both he and Keith Whitley recorded. “You can do whatever you want as long as you say things that are authentic.”

In April, Young will embark on his headlining Young Love & Saturday Nights tour. Renewed physically, emotionally and musically, he says he's ready to hit the road.

“There's been a lot of things that I've changed, a lot of things that I've worked on. I'm excited to get out there and tour and play this new music,” says Young.