JACKSON DEAN - Big Blue Sky - Big Machine Records

With back-to-back hit singles, “Don’t Come Lookin’” and “Fearless,” combining with an exuberantly supportive fanbase who showed up and showed out for his ‘Head Full Of Noise Tour,’ Jackson Dean’s raw edged flare of Southern rock dripped country has endearingly made him one of the genres most renowned stars, earning high marks on his debut album while heightening anticipation for the next chapter.

Amid the familiar songs he played when we caught his show in February, witnessing first-hand the sold-out crowd singing along with every word of his unreleased material set in motion just how big of a superstar he truly is.

One such song, “Big Blue Sky,” now opens that anticipated next chapter.

Accented by the Southern rock aura that Dean has distinctively made his signature sound, the guitars strike a 1970’s vibe into the intro as he slides his captivatingly dusty voice into the opening verse, setting the poetic tone of the lyric as he leads to the chorus with a grit in his voice that poignantly weaves the learned life lessons from an unlikely source.

“I got that big blue sky on my mind

Running like I still got time on my side

Dying just to see it, living just to breathe it

Have I just been dreaming

Is it somewhere

Somewhere underneath that big blue sky”

Softening the instrumentation through the final chorus allows for Dean to momentarily place his incredible vocal to the forefront, utilizing its purest form so that it expertly strikes the lasting impact to leave you with the idea of living eternally in heaven while philosophically pondering the question of if heaven is right here, right now in every moment we get.

In many ways, this lyrically recalls the country music of a decade ago when songs of sage advice being passed down from older generation to generation next reigned supreme, though in this case, learning perhaps from the simplicity of man’s best friend and even more thought-provokingly, learning through something bigger at work within your trusty companion.

Having been hanging around for the better part of the year, “Big Blue Sky” has become a highlight for his fans who have all been clamoring for its official release. Now with it arriving, and with radio eagerly awaiting the next song from Jackson Dean, it’s safe to suspect that this one will land with heavy impact.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis/Artwork c/o Big Machine Records)