Each summer produces one or two really good “Summer Albums”.
You remember the type. The cd you just put in and let ride as you drive to the lake or pool.
It’s what you listen to as you drive in the dark with the windows down, one hand airplaining up and down in the night air.
This year, for me that album is Young Love by Mat Kearney. Kearney is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville. Anything you want to know about him is right there in one of his songs.
The lyrics are about faith, love and family. Young Love successfully combines pop, Christian and hip-hop genres.
The first track is my favorite—Hey Mama. Written about his new wife Annie, it’s the song you wish your husband had written about you. It’s upbeat with a great hand-clappy thing.
Enjoy the video:
What I liked about Young Love is that all the songs were good and you could listen to the album the whole way through.
Also, while this is thoughtful and complex music, I can listen to it with my kids. It’s fun enough for my kids, interesting for me, and I don’t have to be embarrassed by the lyrics. (I’m looking at you, Katy Perry and Rihanna.)
Mat has a fall tour planned. Check out the dates and see if there is a venue near you. The tickets for the show near me were $17, less than I paid for concerts when I was in college in the 90’s.
I really liked this album. It’s been on heavy rotation in my car for the last three weeks. 4 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of this album from One2One Network for review with my honest opinion. I am entered in a drawing in exchange for this review.

Oooo. I’m always on the lookout for something new and likeable. Not always easy to find.
Thanks!
I think you’ll like it, Robin. And he’s from your neck of the woods.
Oh I love his voice. Heard him first on Grey’s Anatomy. Love Undeniable and Closer to Love from prev albums.
We rented Soul Surfer on our recent vacation and he had a song on that soundtrack too.
Thanks for the recommendation for the other songs. I wasn’t sure what was good off his previous two albums.
I liked the sound. Fun stuff!
I do wish my husband would write a song like that about me.