Kelsea Ballerini is back with another addition to the “Patterns” era. The original album is one of my favorites from last year. I’ve listened to it countless times since its release in October, putting Ballerini at the number four slot in my top five artists list from Spotify Wrapped. When “Patterns Deluxe” was announced, my hopes were high.
Ballerini released five bonus tracks to “Patterns” on Friday, March 7. These include, “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak,” “Future Tripping,” “Put It To Bed,” “Cut Me Up” and “Hindsight is Happiness.”
“To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak,” was available for download on Ballerini’s website for a limited time back in November, and fans have rallied around the song since. I included it in my original “Patterns” review, which you can read here.
Tracklist
Future Tripping
Put It to Bed
Cut Me Up
Hindsight is Happiness
Future Tripping
“Future Tripping” opens with an upbeat, steely instrumental. In this song, Ballerini details her worries over her current relationship and where it will go next. Are she and her partner moving too fast? Too slow? Even though she feels happy and fulfilled in her relationship, she has no idea what the future holds and worries that she could be doing something wrong. She recognizes that she must give up control of even her best-laid plans and let things unfold as they may. It is much easier said than done, however, and she is still caught in her head.
The tune of this song is catchy and relatable to others who worry about the fate of their relationship, even when this feeling might not be warranted. The lyrics and instrumentals feel scattered, providing insight into Ballerini’s feelings of anxiety. While this is not the strongest example, she has used this tactic in other songs from “Patterns” to truly give listeners a peek into her thoughts. This is ultimately not my favorite bonus track, but it was an interesting callback to some of the ideas from the original record.
Put It To Bed
“Put It To Bed” is a pop-inspired tune that captures the moment when you’re mid-conversation with someone else at a party and you just want to go home with your partner. There is nothing like that rush of anticipation when you lock eyes with that special person through the crowd in the room and know you have the same thing in mind. This track is a fun, sexy listen that is guaranteed to be put on repeat.
Cut Me Up
“Cut Me Up” is another track written for anyone prone to overthinking when things seem to be going a little “too well.” Ballerini details her fears that her partner will hurt her just as she has let her walls down. It can be terrifying to let someone truly know you because they then know all of your deepest vulnerabilities and insecurities, and she encapsulated this feeling beautifully.
Like “Future Tripping,” this song calls back to the messy, unstructured feelings of anxiety. Again, while other songs from the original project felt stronger, this idea was still well flushed out in this song.
Hindsight is Happiness
“Hindsight is Happiness” is Ballerini’s final goodbye to someone she once loved. Fans have rallied around her “Rolling Up The Welcome Mat” EP, written amid her very public divorce from singer Morgan Evans. I, myself, go back to that project frequently and am still touched by the very raw and true heartbreak and growth expressed in those songs.
With the simple strum of a guitar, “Hindsight” calls back to that EP to tie all of those emotions together. It feels like the final word in that chapter of her life. In the years since their split, both artists have moved on and started their lives over. Both are in a happier, more peaceful place than they previously were. This song honors the connection they had and allows Ballerini to let go of any lingering animosity. She takes ownership of her faults in the relationship and apologizes for her shortcomings. It is a very mature, heartfelt “thank you,” and “goodbye” that comes after years of growth.
Overall, the bonus tracks on this record are good, but much better suited as bonus tracks. They provide a deeper insight into an already strong album, but the quality of the original record has made it difficult for them to compare. I ultimately enjoy these tracks, but I fear that they’re victims of expectations for me. I was so moved by the project to begin with that these tracks sadly don’t live up to the vision of them I created in my head.
However, I particularly enjoyed “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak,” “Put It To Bed” and “Hindsight is Happiness.” These tracks feel like the most well-polished and intentional out of the five bonus songs. They truly signify Ballerini’s personal and professional growth and I will be keeping them on my rotation in the future..
Written By Tessa Brainard
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.