Guest blogger: Nicole 1

Florida-Georgia Line’s two members, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, were unknown to the country music scene until they dropped their debut single “Cruise” in 2012 and immediately sky rocketed to Number 1 on country music charts. This duet is a great representation of today’s country music; they mix country with hip-hop to create catchy, danceable songs that establish a party atmosphere, which is reiterated by the title of their debut album: Here’s to the Good Times. A majority of the songs on their freshman album showcase fast beats, rap influences, and plenty of guitar and banjo instrumentation that take the songs back to their country roots; however, the duo is not afraid to slow down the partying with a love song every now and again. “Stay”, known to some as the closest the duet gets to a love ballad on this album according to Robert Silva in his review titled “Florida Georgia Line crank up their sound machine”, demonstrate Florida-Georgia Line’s soft side with lyrics such as "I'd sell my soul just to see your face / And I'd break my bones just to heal your pain" and prove there is more to the duo than just partying. Florida-Georgia Line has a sound similar to those of Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, and Jake Owens; as all four country acts sing of partying, girls, and drinking. In contrast, Florida-Georgia Line sings primarily of having a good time whereas Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, and Jake Owens are known to slow it down with heartbreaking ballads, professions of love often, or even tributes to where they grew up. Although Florida-Georgia Line sings primarily of partying, they have many memorable lyrics. For example their song “People Back Home” from the deluxe version of Here’s to the Good Times contains a line that states “So we dreamed big and we worked hard / Now we got the whole world cruisin'” which references their debut hit “Cruise” and their journey to become famous. Furthermore, in their new hit (off their second album Anything Goes) the duet slows down and proclaims “You know you came from it and someday you'll return to it”. Critics say "I think it's a good move for Florida Georgia Line to come back with more of a ballad," and that "It shows their maturity and diversity in sound as artists. Listener reaction has been great so far" according to Wade Jessen in his article Florida Georgia Line's 'Dirt' Plows To No. 1 On Hot Country Songs. I have to agree with critics, I look forward to hearing more of Florida-Georgia Lines new album and highly recommend people purchase it as I definitely will as well.