Jump to content

Unlearn (album)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unlearn
Studio album by
Griffen Palmer
ReleasedApril 28, 2023 (2023-04-28)
RecordedNashville, Tennessee
Genre
Length31:51
LabelBig Loud
ProducerJoey Moi
Singles from Unlearn
  1. "Second Guessing"
    Released: January 13, 2023

Unlearn is the debut studio album by Canadian country music singer-songwriter Griffen Palmer. It was produced by Joey Moi and released on April 28, 2023 via Big Loud Records.[1] The album includes Palmer's debut single "Second Guessing".[2]

Background

[edit]

Palmer began writing songs in preparation for his debut album four years prior to its eventual release.[3] He wrote every track on Unlearn with Geoff Warburton, with the two being the only songwriters on every track except "Second Guessing".[4] Palmer told Front Porch Music on their "On the Front Porch" podcast that he did not set out to solely record songs that he and Warburton had written for Unlearn. He chose to record "25 to Life" and continued to select other songs from total of around 200 songs he had written, with the final ten tracks simply happening to songs he and Warburton had written together.[5] Palmer said that he "tried with every song to make it a little snapshot of a period at least of life that I went through and hopefully that other people went through as well".[6]

The album's lead single "Second Guessing" was the first song Palmer in January 2023 released after signing with Big Loud.[7] He pitched the original version of the song to American duo Florida Georgia Line on the television series Songland in 2020, while competing against three other songwriters. The duo chose to record the final version for their 2021 studio album Life Rolls On.[8] Palmer elected to record his own version as it was "such an important part of his story as an artist".[9] "25 to Life" and the title track "Unlearn" were later released as promotional singles, with the latter track being released concurrently with the announcement of the album in March 2023.[10][4] Palmer described "Unlearn" as the "most personal track" on the album, which is why he elected to make it the title track.[11]

Critical reception

[edit]

Tamara Shevon of Parton and Pearl described Unlearn as a "top to bottom flawless album", adding that "each track placement feels methodical, intentionally showing the ups and downs of finding love". She highlighted "Late to the Party" and the title track "Unlearn" as standout songs.[12] Pip Ellwood-Hughes of Entertainment Focus gave the album a 3.5/5 star review, stating that while the album "may play it a little too safe at times, it sets out Palmer’s stall and really showcases his abilities as a songwriter". He added that Palmer's voice is "perfect for country radio" and the album "suggests there's a lot more untapped potential that we’ll see on further releases".[13] Dan Wharton of Holler gave Unlearn a 6/10 review, noting the title track and "25 to Life" as standout songs. He stated that the album "teases immense potential, whilst still leaving much to be discovered," adding that while the "material could be sharper, when Palmer is on it, he’s really on it". Wharton also applauded Joey Moi's production, specifically highlighting the songs "By the Way" and "Small Town After All".[14] An uncredited review from All Country News stated that Palmer "put his lyrical cleverness and adventurous artistry on full display" with the album, describing him as a "a masterful storyteller who means every word he writes".[15] Nicole Piering of Country Swag favourably reviewed Unlearn, noting Palmer's "smooth voice, country hooks, and incredibly impressive lyrics", stating that the album is a "surefire way to introduce him to a legion of new fans".[16]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Second Guessing"
3:09
2."25 to Life"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
3:26
3."Unlearn"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
3:37
4."Put Me Through Hello"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
3:15
5."By the Way"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
2:41
6."Small Town After All"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
3:14
7."Came Here to Leave"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
3:13
8."Late to the Party"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
2:52
9."How Many Beers"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
2:43
10."Bottles on the Table"
  • Palmer
  • Warburton
3:37
Total length:31:51

Charts

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Peak chart positions
CAN Country
[17]
2023 "Second Guessing" 10

Promotional singles

[edit]
Year Single
2023 "25 to Life"[18]
"Unlearn"[19]

Release history

[edit]
Release formats for Unlearn
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 28, 2023 Digital download Big Loud Records [20]
[21]
Streaming

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Association Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2024 Country Music Association of Ontario Album / EP of the Year Unlearn Nominated [22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "GRIFFEN PALMER LEARNS TO UNLEARN TODAY". Big Loud. April 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Mower, Maxim (March 31, 2023). "Griffen Palmer Announces New Album 'Unlearn', and Releases Title-Track". Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Roden, Ally (April 29, 2023). "Griffen Palmer Reflects On The Highs And Lows Of His 20s On Honest Debut Album, 'Unlearn'". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Hollabaugh, Lorie (March 31, 2023). "Griffen Palmer Releases Title Track From Debut 'Unlearn'". Music Row. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Miller, Logan; Weishar, Jenna. "[On The Porch S2:16] Serenading Bachelor Nation with Griffen Palmer". Front Porch Music. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  6. ^ "Griffen Palmer Gets Personal With Debut 'Unlearn' Album [EXCLUSIVE]". Everything Nash. April 28, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  7. ^ Weishar, Jenna (January 9, 2023). "Griffen Palmer Lands Deal And Releases His Songland Single "Second Guessing"". Front Porch Music. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  8. ^ Trapp, Philip (May 19, 2020). "Florida Georgia Line Light Up 'Songland' Winner 'Second Guessing' [Watch]". Taste of Country. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  9. ^ Weishar, Jenna (January 9, 2023). "Griffen Palmer Lands Deal And Releases His Songland Single "Second Guessing"". Front Porch Music. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Major, Michael (March 10, 2023). "Griffen Palmer Commits to '25 to Life'". Broadway World. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Andrew, Stephen (April 28, 2023). "'Songland' Winner Griffen Palmer Details Debut Album 'Unlearn' (Exclusive)". Popculture. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  12. ^ Shevon, Tamara (May 24, 2023). "Album Review: Griffen Palmer, Unlearn". Parton and Pearl. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  13. ^ Ellwood-Hughes, Pip (April 28, 2023). "Griffen Palmer – 'Unlearn' review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Wharton, Dan (April 24, 2023). "Griffen Palmer - Unlearn, Album Review". Holler. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  15. ^ "Griffen Palmer Announces Revealing, Vulnerable Debut Album "Unlearn" And Releases Title Track Today". All Country News. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Piering, Nicole (April 28, 2023). "Griffen Palmer: 'Unlearn' Album Review". Country Swag. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  17. ^ References for Canada Country:
  18. ^ "25 to Life – Single by Griffen Palmer". Spotify. March 10, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  19. ^ "Unlearn – Single by Griffen Palmer". Spotify. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  20. ^ "Unlearn - Album by Griffen Palmer". Apple Music (Canada). Big Loud Records. April 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "Unlearn by Griffen Palmer". Spotify. Big Loud Records. April 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "2024 CMAOntario Awards". CMAOntario. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Unlearn_(album)&oldid=1229438636"