Yelawolf Brings Hip Hop, Country and Rock Together on ‘Love Story’

Stephanie Hernandez

Southern rapper and Eminem progeny, Yelawolf has finally released his highly anticipated sophomore album “Love Story.” His Shady Records debut, “Radioactive” back in 2011 left some enthused about the rappers potential and talent and left others wondering about the hype surrounding the artist. This 18 track record will undoubtedly bring those two worlds together in agreement that Yelawolf is indeed here to stay. Mixing Country, Rock and Roll, Funk and Hip Hop, “Love Story” is one hell of a genre-bending album, making it anything but what you expected.

This time around, Yelawolf slowed things down and further embraced his Southern roots, giving him a sound more reminiscent of early Kid Rock and less like the one of his mentor, Eminem. The change in pace has suited the artist well and resulted in a record that has a much unadulterated fun as his past attempts but laden with much more emotional pull. The payoff of this switch can first be heard on the third track, “American You.” Putting Yelawolf’s singing skills to the test, he proves himself to be an effective storyteller, using light guitar strumming and elongated imagery to move the listener through his thoughts. He does add in a handful of shorter raps throughout the track, where most singers would bring in other artists to do the rapped verses, Yelawolf impressively does both seamlessly. The theme of what it means to be from the South and the decay of that ideal is first presented here and carried through as one of the album’s overarching themes.

Avoiding stagnant sounds and repetition, Yelawolf plays with multiple ballads on the album as well. From the gritty “Whiskey in a Bottle” to the menacing (Marilyn Manson approved) “Till It’s gone” and slow burning “Devil in My Veins” the record finds just the right places to turn back the dial and let listeners breathe. These slower moments help to accent and provide contrast to the faster more blustering tracks on the record. “Best Friend (Feat. Eminem)” is perhaps the album’s most radio friendly song, featuring Yelawolf’s rapid-fire lyrics, and danceable beats, it’s hard to not press repeat. The integration of more singing and country influences can be most appreciated on “Heartbreak” and “Box Chevy V.” Both tracks feature a slower, much steadier rap, while also managing to keep infectious melodies at their core. The more emotional lyrics of “Heartbreak,” “I can’t be friends with a friend like you trying to hold me down” takes an Awolnation turn and sets the stage for the much more carefree funk ridden “Box Chevy V” to uplift the mood. Yelawolf keeps the listener on their toes by providing enough dips and arcs from song to song, in a way that is cohesive but keeps you guessing as to what is next.

Winding down the album with the disturbing content of “Disappear,” we receive a glimpse into just how honest and raw Yelawolf can get. Wolf uses dramatic imagery to confront the abuse faced by the hands of his father as a young child; the cathartic song is one of the best on the album. Finally, ending with “Fiddle Me This” a fast paced rap, carried by a rock and roll guitar riff and backed up by country fiddles, you can derive that few things can hold Yelawolf down for long.

“Love Story” will make sense to people who like rock, rap and country. Its mix of these genres and influences, along with the tales of the tracks themselves, come together to make something that can only be described as American music. Known up until this point as a loose cannon, Yelawolf has proven himself capable of making thoughtful and layered music, without losing his original rough and tumble swagger. The lyrics are smart, the beats infectious and the message relatable, not bad for the second time around.

Yelawolf’s album “Love Story” will be available on iTunes April 21.