The productions are bold, the compositions are rich and Shelton has never sounded better, but with nothing new to say, how long can good be good enough?

The 2025 mixtape from ERNEST’s new label has an ambitious, old-school vision, but is just a little too mixed at times.

As he’s done since the beginning of his career, the Chief exercises the rights of that title to follow whatever musical path he sees fit at the time on his 2025 project.

Across 19 songs, the Washington native delivers a steady collection of contemporary country that runs the gamut of young self discovery in life, love and the pursuit of understanding.