FULL ALBUM REVIEW : Different Night Same Rodeo By Bailey Zimmerman

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So excited to dig into this great Country Album with you! This is Pop Country of 2025 at its best. Different Night Same Rodeo is another great album that highlights its artist's specific talents. Many singles were released before the Album was released. Those first singles have been growingly successful, but the strength of this album is the ballads. It's not very common to say the "ballads" are the strength of a young adult male country artist. In this case that is exactly where Bailey surpasses most of his competition in the genre. The best part is most of his up-tempo tracks will still be HITS. The reason they are HITS is they are very good too. Overall, the album reaches into a variety of song types and concepts. The albums songs released with the album feature him differently. Bailey, a heartthrob writer is brilliant at writing about heartbreak. Late this Fall without a doubt, he will turn one of those ballads into a HIT that will go to no. 1! This is by far the best album he has created. I have personally followed him since 2023, saw his rise, and still continue to be blown away by his music. Bailey continues to see success with whatever he is doing. If you don't know Bailey Zimmerman, you should. He is a stellar performer and vocalist. There is no way I would skip reviewing this album, because it's that good!

ALBUM TRACK RATING AND ANALYSIS:

1. Comin' In Cold ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

   This is a great way to start off the album and remains a single that isn't played or highlighted enough in my opinion. The song has a Country flare that's shown right away with a cool instrumental opening. It is intriguing and pulls you in right away. There is a tempo change into the chorus which is like you kick into it. Very cool and exciting. The song is about a girl that lets you down no matter what you do, and the habit of going back when it's not good for you. Bailey offers a warning to anyone that spends time with "that girl". She will let you down. There really is a lot to say about the instrumental choices in this song. It has less Pop influences and hooks, and has a Real Country sound. The lyrics are fun and engaging, but the brilliance of the song comes from structure and how they put it together. The sound is excellent. This is a singing song for the car. I can imagine people jamming to this song while relating it to someone in their lives. The lyric that just grabs you in is "I know better but, I have a way of holding onto the ones that let me go, set me on fire, put me out like smoke." A great song that you should add to your playlist!

2. Ashes (Feat, Diplo) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

   
   

3. Chevy Silverado ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

   This is my favorite song on this album! The concept is hilarious, and it is executed so well by Bailey and his team. This is a total HIT! I feel it will have it's time to shine eventually. It is technically a single, but Country Radio is mostly playing Comin' in Cold and Pop Radio is playing Lost (Feat. The Kid LAROI), but I know this song will perform excellent when it is featured more often. The song is about Bailey's life experience. He says that he has had his Chevy Silverado for a long time. Obviously, he has made new additions to it, but the girl he loved when he was young disappeared and left. The truck is still with him. The concept is "get a car" because "the girl" will probably leave you. It's a simple funny idea turned into a really cool song. Sound wise is another masterpiece. The beginning sounds on the intro, continues throughout the song and is different than anything I've heard before. There are multiple ways he attacks and changes up the melodies, that run smoothly throughout the song. There actually is part of the song that would be considered rising action and the climax to the song. In the climax Bailey shows off his great vocal ability effortlessly. Vocals are done so well. There is also a great interlude with increasing volume, and different instruments. But in the end, he goes back to just his beginning background sound and his vocals. VERY COOL! This song will be super successful and is a MUST HAVE on your playlist.

   
   

4. Yours For The Breaking ⭐⭐⭐⭐

   
   

5. Lost (Feat. The Kid LAROI) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎯

   This song is being played on Pop Radio and because The Kid LAROI and Bailey performed it on the VMAs, there will definitely be a bump on this song in the charts. This could give Bailey a base of pop fans that could bring his career to new heights. The best part of this song is the driving force of the tempo and the vocals done by both artists. Although their voices are similar, they pack different feelings into the song. Bailey has a more rough and raspy voice, where The Kid LAROI has a clean and clear pop voice. Both have their specific verse and chorus. Sonically the song fits their voices well. Bailey's personality renders him to be perfect for collabs like this. The song is about having a lover who has left. Because of that, they are lost and don't know what to do. This song is heavier on the pop side of Pop Country, but it is intentional. Bailey's lane as an artist straddle both genres. The lyrics are simple but get the point across. The song is an acquired taste for deep country fans. I am a fan of Bailey so this song will be on my playlist, but I could understand someone saying, "This is not Country Music". In many ways it's not, but I support Bailey's decision to broaden his base of followers. It makes sense.

   
   

6. Holy Smokes ⭐⭐⭐⭐

   
   

7. When It Was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

   Listening to an interview on The Highway on Sirius XM radio Bailey mentioned how much he truly loved this song. With that information I tried to figure out why he was so enamored with writing and performing this song. It became obvious to me by listening to the song and listening to the lyrics. This is a personal truth about Bailey. He enjoys remembering his relationships and lamenting over why they are gone. The song is another song about lost love, but this time the concept is memories. The song is a beautiful tribute to the lover from the past. He talks about the times he saw her cry and hoped after weeks of separation she would come back. The lyrics that grab me the most are, "It ain't my hand holding your hand, but I remember when it was. It ain't us making forever plans, but I remember when it was." This girl made a major impact in his life. In a way he is saying, he remembers everything. The love is no longer there and it's a waste of time, but he remembers. It's really special to see Bailey open himself to this degree. You can create fun, catchy, tongue and cheek songs about breakups all day, but a real story always has more impact. This song for me of all the additional ballads on the album, seems the most real. When it comes time, this could be the song he decides to run with as a single. We will see. The song is not a playlist must, but you should listen and figure out if you relate to the song.

8. It's All Good ⭐⭐😒

   
   

9. Backup Plan (Feat, Luke Combs) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

   This is a no. 1 HIT! That's not just my opinion. It achieved that pinnacle all on its own. This song was released way before the album. It deserves to be on this album because it shows Bailey's strength at making these harder edge country bangers. The song is all about getting back up if your down. But the lyrics go on to say, block out everybody who is against you and do what you need to do. If you're supposed to do something with your life and your willing to fall or die for it, because that's who you are, nothing will stop you from achieving that goal. The only "Backup Plan" you need is getting back up. The lyrics in this song are fantastic and detailed. This is a perfect song for Luke Combs. He proved it in these vocals! Both voices are perfect for this song. The story behind the song is Bailey sent the song to Luke, and it was months until he heard back. Luke Combs is in a class of Country Music that Bailey has not reached yet. Luke gets to decide what he wants to do when he wants to do it. Bailey said he had heard that Luke was listening to it in his kitchen over and over working on trying the song out. At that time Luke fell in love with the song and agreed to record. All is history after that. The song is a huge boost for both careers because while Luke doesn't need the song, he had a less impactful year this year overall, and Bailey is just on for the ride. The song itself is a HIT and was since day one. This is one of those rare occurrences where the songs power outmatched anything else coming out. It was obvious this was going to be a massive HIT! If you need a pump-up song or workout song; this is your jam. This is a MUST HAVE in your playlist for 2025!

   
   

10. New To Country ⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️

    This song has been around for a long time, but it's worth reviewing because it was the first time Bailey really released a banger. Bailey for the most part was known as the ballad hearthrob guy. The song has incredible streams now, but it took until the ACMs last year to really gain traction. His performance was brilliant and quite amazing. The song was created in response to the idea he was soft, from the Midwest, and didn't know Country Music. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Embracing the genre and the bad dude vibe suited him well then and now. The song is about his dues to Country Music and that lifestyle. Now on this album, it doesn't really fit because he is known now, because of Backup Plan to be accepted as a bro. This is the perfect song to be in the car or with your buddies to jam out. The song is a total banger with all the bells and whistles of Rock Country. He states in his lyrics, "You can say whatever you want, but I ain't new to country," and "You might think I chose this way of livin', no, but It chose me." This song is not a must have, but if you enjoy bangers or this type of subject matter, you'll get hooked to the song.

11. At The Same Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

    This is my favorite ballad that is new with the album release! If you listen to it you may be confused. This song is an extremely simple heartbreak song with very little flashy moments. His vocals on the track are excellent and when he goes up the octave on the chorus, he shines. The song has great emotion and depth. The concept is very simple. The couple cannot get together and agree or do anything at the same time. She wants to be held; he pushes her away. She changes her mind; he has made up his mind. The song lyrics are smart and heartbreaking. Bailey feels almost vulnerable and uncomfortable in the beginning of the song. As the song continues the anger comes out of the lack of control over the relationship. I don't really know why I love this song so much. I have a hard time believing this would be a big HIT on Country Radio, but i could be wrong. The streams say different. This song is being received well for the short time the album has been out. This is not a MUST HAVE, but it is a must listen to at least once. The rawness of Bailey's vocals is striking and worth hearing.

    
    

12. Hell or High Water ⭐⭐⭐⭐

13. These Nights ⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️

14. Everything But Up ⭐⭐😒

    
    

15. Before You ⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

    We do not know who Bailey is talking about here in this song. It is deeply personal. The song is about someone in his life who has changed him profoundly. He says that without this person his heart was "running on empty". That he was a mess wondering around the town. Bailey here has flaws, and they are being accepted by this person. This person also pointed him to God and helped him get through his own personal fires, that he needed to walk through. It is so refreshing to see an artist at such a high-level talk about his beliefs in God. And in this song, we see that this someone is fulfilling that need to help him grow in faith. This is an important subject for those male fans of his to see and recognize. They see the strength it takes to be a man. To follow your dreams and yes, be able to be vulnerable at moments in life. Being a man is not just being a dude with your boys. It's about much more than a career or money. It's your life. And you have only one. Bailey is speaking to us about his insecurities. This is a MUST HAVE for my list.

    
    

16. Holding On ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️🎯

    This is actually a fantastic song! The sound is beautiful, and the vocals are stellar. The song is deeply personal right away, opening up about a time when he felt he couldn't get through one more night. Thankfully he wants this person to hold on to him. We all go through darker times when we can't find the light in the situation. Bailey is not afraid to go to that place for his fans. This song was released before the album and mirrors topics on "Before You" but has its own great concept. Written with Bailey's incredible voice, there are multiple high notes that are just powerful. The instrumental after Bailey's long held high note, continues to build. You think he won't get bigger vocally, but he does. This is a relatable subject for many people going through depression or have feelings of loneliness. Bailey is saying, "Keep Holding On!" That it will get better, and he is right. I always believed this song needed a bigger response from Country Radio. Even though it did well in streams, it never really broke into the airwaves. Regardless of radio plays this is a MUST HAVE off of this album!

    
    

17. Dare You To Try It ⭐⭐⭐

18. Happy Ever After Me ⭐⭐⭐