Music review: Sara Evans — ‘Slow Me Down’
There appears to be no slowing down country diva Sara Evans.
Taking her time between album releases, the 43-year-old singer hits all the right notes with her first new album since 2011鈥檚 鈥淪tronger.鈥� If 鈥淪tronger鈥� marked the Missouri native鈥檚 rejuvenated comeback, 鈥淪low Me Down鈥� proves she is back to stay for a long time.
With her girl-next-door looks and voice of an angel, Evans positions herself as a powerful and engaging crossover artist with genuine country-pop appeal. Released back in September, the title track and lead single is a soaring power ballad about a fragile relationship that is slowly falling apart.
Evans鈥� booming vocals are gently lifted by delicate orchestral strings, pushing the spirited arrangement into the territory of adult contemporary. As if the singer鈥檚 intoxicating vocals and natural beauty aren鈥檛 enough to sell albums, 鈥淪low Me Down鈥� features several collaborations that only add to the polished and sophisticated feel of the new songs.
Evans delivers yet another pristine vocal performance on a cover of Gavin DeGraw鈥檚 鈥淣ot Over You.鈥� DeGraw boosts the song鈥檚 pop appeal by providing a melodically infectious harmony. The Fray鈥檚 Isaac Slade creates an undeniable chemistry with Evans on the romantically passionate 鈥淐an鈥檛 Stop Loving You.鈥�
The album鈥檚 signature song comes as Vince Gill joins Evans on the more country-flavored 鈥淏etter Off.鈥� The two country superstars shine brightly together on this simple and tender arrangement. Mark Bright, who produced Evans鈥� 2005 album 鈥淩eal Fine Place,鈥� returns to once again share the producing duties with the singer.
Proving that she is the complete package, Evans also co-wrote 鈥淵ou Never Know,鈥� 鈥淚f I Run鈥� and 鈥淪weet Spot.鈥� Instead of slowing down, Evans is heating up and hitting her stride with the determination of an artist who is focused and confident in her abilities.