By Elizabeth Whitaker
Gavin DeGraw has returned once again to the charts with the release of his fourth studio album, Sweeter. This release saw collaborations with esteemed producers: Ron Aniello (Matt Nathanson), Eric Rosse (Sara Bareilles), and Butch Walker (Weezer). Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and Andrew Frampton (The Script) make an appearance on the collaborative hit single “Not Over You”. While the singer-songwriter’s distinctive sound is still heard on all ten tracks, the addition of co-writers served to add a new dimension. This allowed for plenty of expansion which culminated in a work that is rich in melody and soul.
From the exciting album opener “Sweeter” to the poignant acoustic closer “Spell It Out”, DeGraw has managed to encompass a wealth of emotions in a wide range of musical genres that all come together to form his unique sound. Other notable tracks are “Run Every Time” in which DeGraw sings about a guy who finds himself unable to achieve the same level of commitment as his counterpart, and “Soldier”, a beautifully, moving ballad that is both honest and moving. “Radiation” shows DeGraw’s ability to rock while keeping it completely real. The song speaks of the imperfections many people often face when attempting to traverse the difficulties that can exist in human relationships. Sweeter is comprised of funk mixed with R&B and pop and is compelling because of the themes of honesty and trust that are present throughout.