In the past few years, Zac Brown Band has been best known for its sad but touching acoustic singles that consistently achieve the top spot on the Billboard country charts. However, its latest album, “Uncaged,” connects more with the band’s roots: relaxed and upbeat music that brightens the soul.

 

Brown’s fifth album, “Uncaged,” released on July 10 by Atlantic Records, Home Grown and Bigger Picture, reveals an almost tropical side of the traditional western country artist. While all the songs ooze this relaxed mood, the one song that fully exudes it is “Island Song.” As the song’s name implies, the lyrics concentrate mostly on relaxing at a beach with music, drinks and dance. By exaggerating the r’s in rum and using a ukulele in place of a guitar, it’s easy to imagine relaxing on a beach in a hammock while a nearby band plays this light, upbeat song.

 

Despite displaying this new style, the band stays close to its western roots with its lead single “The Wind.” A fast, upbeat love song, “The Wind” contrasts with the band’s past hit singles, which focused more on the tragedies of life. It serves as a good example of Zac Brown Band’s ability to convey any mood through song, whether it’s depression or jubilation.

 

The one fault in this almost-perfect country album is the third song on the album, “Goodbye In Her Eyes.” Not only is it reminiscent of almost every other country break-up song, but the song also drags on far too long to capture the short-term interest of today’s audience. It repeats the line “I saw goodbye in her eyes” enough to make someone never want to hear those words again.

 

However, in all, Zac Brown Band has released yet another solid record that is sure to put many more No. 1 country singles under this band’s belt.