Scotty McCreery - Seasons Change

Seven years have passed since Scotty McCreery won the 10th season of American Idol.

Having released the chart topping Clear As Day in the immediate aftermath of his victory, McCreery looked to be firmly on course to become Country's new mainstream icon.

While his chart positions were consistently strong, his sales diminished with each subsequent release, before he took a five year break after splitting from his record label after album #3 Clear As Day.

Now signed to Thirty Tigers, his loyal fanbase are ready and waiting for album #4 Seasons Change.

Having teased the release with the truly heartfelt and movingly beautiful Five More Minutes last year, it was clear that McCreery may have taken his time to deliver new material, but he was ready to raise his already rather high bar.

While the album may be a collection of 11 new songs, it is actually much more than that. This is not just music, but a very insightful and tender insight into the twists and turns of his life.

Opening with the album's title track, Seasons Change, McCreery makes it very clear that he has every intention of reclaiming the crown, both as a country icon and crossover King.

Proclaiming that you 'can’t keep a man down when he’s on his way up', McCreery wears his heart on his sleeve and really connects with his listener on every possible level.

While the album itself does not move musically too far from his earlier recordings - mainstream Country with undeniable radio appeal.

Although lead single Five More Minutes is the most powerfully poignant, This Is It (which documents his engagement to Gabi Dugal) comes a very close second.

Equally notable are Boys From Back Home and Home In My Mind.