2014 was a big year for Russell Taylor, kicking off with his being crowned a You Oughta Know artist by VH1. 2015 is poised to be an even bigger year for the pop-soul singer with the release of his long-awaited album, War of Hearts. After some unexpected delays and twists and turns along the route, Taylor's third album will be finally be in our hands as of January 27th.
We've been anticipating War of Hearts ever since hearing the title track back in 2013, and he kept us engaged last year with the single, "Hope." Now Russell really has us clamoring for this fresh collection of songs with the third single, "Blueprint." Co-written by Taylor and Brandon A. Thomas, "Blueprint" sees the singer slowing things down atop a twangy guitar and live drums. Russell displays his range all over this track with a subdued delivery before letting his falsetto out to play. The background vocals flow in like a summer breeze on this quiet storm number. "Blueprint" not only sounds exceptional, but it also hits home lyrically for anyone tired of going through the motions and looking to find their way back to -- and in -- love again.
This song reminds me of the tracks that I first heard of Russell's years before his debut album, Somewhere In Between, was even released. Those demos of "Somewhere In Between," "I Love You" and "How Deep" made me a fan for life, and "Blueprint" is here to continue the tradition.
