This appropriately titled third studio effort from Mitchell Tenpenny is the country singer-songwriter’s most eclectic and ambitious release to date, spanning 20 tracks and featuring an unorthodox roster of guest artists, including the gentle pop-rocker Colbie Caillat and the post-hardcore rock band Underoath. Produced by Jordan Schmidt (Kane Brown, Cole Swindell), The 3rd opens with its title track, a poppy and soulful tune that nods to Tenpenny’s familial lineage: “They could’ve named me anything/But I’m James Mitchell Tenpenny, the third.” Highlights include the Caillat duet “Guess We’ll Never Know,” which makes good use of both singers’ versatile voices, and a faithful cover of the 1998 Goo Goo Dolls smash “Iris.” Tenpenny closes out the record with “Tennessee in Me,” a heartfelt ode to his home state.
- Russell Dickerson
- Thomas Rhett
- Jordan Davis
- CHASE WRIGHT
- Nate Smith
- Matt Stell