Jelly Roll’s new album Beautifully Broken has finally delighted fans with its midnight arrival on October 11, 2024. An expansive 22-track album, it is a quick follow-up to the tremendous success of his chart-topping 2023 album Whitsitt Chapel. One of the hottest names in music today, Country music has found its new star, but it must be clarified that this gentleman is a true multi-genre performer. Sure, the twang is there; the airy notes held at the end of verses, but this Beautifully Broken mines deeper.
With his audience in tout, Jelly Roll has embarked on a journey where the exploration of deep-seated themes of addiction, redemption, and personal struggle buoyed through the utilization of a wonderfully original blend of Country, Rock, Hip Hop, and Pop influences. Distributed through Republic Records and produced by Zach Crowell ( Sam Hunt, Dan +Shay), there is no doubt that fans are in for a real peach of a record.
A certain emotional vulnerability permeates as the record spins. Jelly Roll sings with almost white-knuckled conviction about life’s hardships, expertly highlighted within tracks like “Everyone Bleeds” and hit radio single”Liar.” This is not to mention the massive hit single, “I Am Not Okay,” where he addresses themes of betrayal and healing, as well as the relief of the moment when one finally comes to terms with a struggle. Collaborations with artists like Wiz Khalifa and Ilsey add dynamic layers, blending Hip Hop and Country in fresh ways that have not been seen in recent memory.
In the middle of a headlining United States tour through the end of November, Jelly Roll had to be under immense pressure after the release of the aforementioned Whitsitt Chapel. Looking back at that, the album hit #2 on Billboard’s Country Charts and #3 on Billboard’s Top 200 Charts. With those types of impressive numbers, there is surely only going to be a downturn from there, however, Jelly Roll has picked up and sprinted where he left off in 2023. Always fresh, he refuses to be forced into some black-and-white musical box; forced to avoid being his true self to sell records. Beautifully Broken is blatant proof of that. He is unapologetically, different, offers a new approach to music, and has only spread messages of goodness, charity, and honesty.
Featuring countless powerful moments throughout, the raw and wounded honesty in songs like “When the Drugs Don’t Work” along with “Burning” showcase Jelly Roll at the top of his craft. Incorporating classic Pop Rock sounds, he successfully utilized these features on Beautifully Broken to boost his sound even more. There is also “Higher Than Heaven,” a track that you can easily get lost in. On this one Wiz Khalifa seemingly appears out of nowhere but blends seamlessly into the song; almost pushing Jelly Roll further into new territory.
Some critics have stated that Beautifully Broken appears to be a recycled version of messages and themes that Jelly Roll has previously leaned on. Well, it must be concretely stated that these themes and messages bear repeating… especially if they could even save one life from a treacherous journey of demise. With a successive release of magic, Jelly Roll has once again shown he is not only at the top of the charts, but of the music industry itself. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends Beautifully Broken, giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
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