Florida Georgia Line lead singers Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley said prior to the release of Dig Your Roots that their third album would cover more mature topics than those on previous tracks; gone would be the drinking and rowdy Friday nights of “This is How We Roll,” “Round Here,” and “Party People.” The third release from the band that put bro country on the map is a decided step away from the beer-pong and bonfire filled anthems Florida Georgia Line made so popular, but each track still retains their signature pop-country sound.
The title track, “Dig Your Roots,” is, as might be supposed from the title, a homage to the southern towns where Hubbard and Kelley grew up. They combine their signature pop-esque sound with a classic country message. The song is a good example of the different direction of this record. The album is still recognizable as a work by Florida Georgia Line, but with more different themes than their previous releases. Additionally, Kelley, known as “BK” to his fans, takes vocals lead on the title song, a rare occurrence on previous albums. The song itself features some catchy guitar riffs, poignant vocals, and a message imploring listeners to remember where they came from.
Dig Your Roots is different from FGL’s previous albums in terms of its covers. “Life Is A Honeymoon,” featuring Ziggy Marley, is unlike any of their previous work is. The reggae-esque beat combined with Hubbard’s easy twang make the song easy listening, and Marley’s thirty-second feature doesn’t sound at all out of place in the country song. This isn’t the only track with a star feature, however,as “God, Your Mama, and Me,” features the Backstreet Boys. Despite the title resembling a joke set up, it’s a poignant love song, with just enough pop feel so the Nick Carter and AJ McLean’s features don’t feel out of place, while still retaining Florida Georgia Line’s sound. The third collaboration on the album is on the second single released; “May We All,” featuring Tim McGraw. The song resolves the differences between FGL’s “bro-country” and the more classic sound of other country stars like McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and Trace Adkins. It’s also indicative of a shift in Florida Georgia Line’s style, away from the poppy, fun-times-only sound of their last album.
Unlike past albums, many songs on this record describe personal experiences of Hubbard and BK. “While He’s Still Around,” is about spending time with your father before he passes away, inspired by the childhood death of Hubbard’s father and the recent illness of BK’s. The love songs are decidedly more romantic than their earlier ones –”Grow Old” describes a couple’s entire life, and was Tyler Hubbard’s first dance at his wedding, and even “Heatwave,” the most sexual song on the album, mentions “putting a ring on (her) left hand.” These new themes reflect the personal nature of Dig Your Roots, as opposed to the general bro-country culture topics.
While many, myself included, will miss the pure fun of “Sundaze,” “Cruise,” and the rest of the old Florida Georgia Line, Dig Your Roots is a well-executed transition into adulthood for the band, as they take on more mature topics while retaining the sound that made them famous.
