Wikipedia

Patterns (Kelsea Ballerini album)

Patterns is the fifth studio album by American country pop artist Kelsea Ballerini. The album was released on October 25, 2024, through Black River Entertainment.[2] Ballerini co-produced the album along with Alysa Vanderheym. "Cowboys Cry Too" was released as its first single on June 28, 2024. Three other songs were put out as promotional singles: "Sorry Mom", "Two Things", and "First Rodeo".

Patterns
Studio album by
Kelsea Ballerini
ReleasedOctober 25, 2024
Studio
  • Sound Stage (Nashville)
  • Vanderhaus (Nashville)
  • Abide by the Vibe (Nashville)
GenreCountry pop[1]
Length46:00
LabelBlack River
Producer
  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Alysa Vanderheym
Kelsea Ballerini chronology
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat
(2023) 		Patterns
(2024)
Singles from Patterns
  1. "Cowboys Cry Too"
    Released: June 28, 2024

Content

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Ballerini opted for an all-girl approach to Patterns, as she co-wrote and co-produced all 15 tracks on the album with Alysa Vanderheym, with additional writing on several songs from Jessie Jo Dillon, Karen Fairchild, and Hillary Lindsey.[3] She said the process happened "organically" following a songwriting retreat with her female collaborators, birthing an album "made from womanhood and sisterhood".[4]

The follow-up to the Rolling Up the Welcome Mat EP (2023) that documented the end of her marriage, Ballerini described Patterns as a "super autobiographical" album, taking the listener on a journey when listened from top-to-bottom.[5] She highlighted that the album is "not a love record", saying: "I think the whole record takes you through a very real journey of people that come together that have relational history and public relational history and different upbringings and different family dynamics and all these things, and you come together as adults and you have lives to sort through to be able to build one together. And to me, that is the most appealing part of love, sorting through all that and finding those dynamics that you're able to undo those patterns together. And I think it's a love record. It's just probably not what people are expecting".[5]

Ballerini credited boyfriend Chase Stokes as being present during the entire creation process for Patterns, and the inspiration for the song "How Much Do You Love Me?" which she declared the "softest song" on the record.[4] She referred to "Beg for Your Love" as the record's most vulnerable moment and the next step following "Leave Me Again", the closing track on Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.[4]

On October 28, 2024, Ballerini released an exclusive digital download of Patterns through her official website that included two bonus tracks, a stripped acoustic version of "Two Things" and "To the Men That Love Women After Heartbreak".[6]

Critical reception

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Rolling Stone writer Jon Dolan gave the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, speaking favorably of the album's "characteristically varied collection that finds her looking inward with honesty and resolve, staying strong without sounding too heavy about it".[1] Jof Owen with Holler rated the album a nine out of 10, declaring it a "country pop grand slam" and favorably comparing it to Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department and Kacey Musgraves' Star-Crossed, while stating that Ballerini's "recovery technique feels more straightforwardly out-with-the-old-and-in-with-the-new. There's a new bed for her boots to go under, and she doesn't spend a lot of time reminiscing over what went on between the sheets of the old one she used to sleep in".[7]

Chart performance

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Patterns debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, marking her highest-charting album to date, and second top 10 entry following Unapologetically (2017).[8] It also debuted atop the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, Ballerini's first album to reach number one on the chart.[9] It arrived with 54,000 equivalent album units earned — her best week by units.[8]

Singles

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The album includes a collaboration with Noah Kahan on "Cowboys Cry Too", which was released as the lead single on June 28, 2024.[10] "Sorry Mom", "Two Things", and "First Rodeo" were all issued as promotional singles ahead of the album release,[1] and all were accompanied by the release of music videos.[11][12][13]

Promotion

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Ballerini celebrated the album release with a headlining show at Madison Square Garden on October 29, 2024,[14] and is set to embark on her first headlining arena tour in January 2025.[15]

Track listing

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Patterns track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Patterns"
3:40
2."Sorry Mom"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
3:35
3."Baggage"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
2:32
4."First Rodeo"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
3:43
5."Nothing Really Matters"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Vanderheym
2:37
6."How Much Do You Love Me"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Vanderheym
3:33
7."Two Things"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
3:35
8."We Broke Up"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
2:45
9."Wait!"
  • Ballerini
  • Vanderheym
3:02
10."Beg for Your Love"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
3:06
11."Deep"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Vanderheym
2:22
12."Cowboys Cry Too" (with Noah Kahan)
  • Ballerini
  • Noah Kahan
  • Vanderheym
3:51
13."I Would, Would You"
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Vanderheym
2:52
14."This Time Last Year"
  • Ballerini
  • Vanderheym
3:41
15."Did You Make It Home?" (outro)
  • Ballerini
  • Vanderheym
0:59
Total length:46:00
Patterns digital download bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
16."Two Things" (stripped)
  • Ballerini
  • Dillon
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
  • Vanderheym
3:42
17."To the Men That Love Women After Heartbreak"
  • Ballerini
  • Fairchild
  • Lindsey
2:33
Total length:52:00

Personnel

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Musicians

  • Kelsea Ballerini – vocals (all tracks), background vocals (tracks 1–14), acoustic guitar (10)
  • Alysa Vanderheym – programming (tracks 1–4, 7–9, 11–14), electric guitar (1–3, 5, 7, 9, 12–14), synthesizer (1, 2, 4–9, 11, 12, 14), acoustic guitar (1, 2, 5–7, 9, 10, 12–15), background vocals (4, 8, 14), mandolin (13)
  • Derek Wells – electric guitar (tracks 1–11, 13–15)
  • Craig Young – bass (tracks 1–7, 9, 12–14)
  • Todd Lombardo – acoustic guitar (tracks 1–4, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15), mandolin (4, 14), banjo (12)
  • Aaron Sterling – drums (tracks 1, 2, 5, 8)
  • Alex Wright – synthesizer (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13), Hammond B3 (1, 12, 14), piano (11)
  • Ilya Toshinskiy – acoustic guitar (tracks 1, 3, 5, 8, 13), mandolin (1, 3, 5, 8), Dobro (1, 11)
  • Hillary Lindsey – background vocals (tracks 1, 4, 8)
  • Dan Grech-Marguerat – programming (tracks 2, 4, 5, 12, 14)
  • Justin Schipper – steel guitar (tracks 3, 4, 7, 12, 14), Dobro (12)
  • Nir Z – drums (tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 14)
  • Kris Donegan – electric guitar (tracks 3, 4, 7, 12, 14)
  • Jeff Braun – programming (tracks 3, 13)
  • Tyler Tomlinson – acoustic guitar, Dobro, electric guitar (tracks 4, 11)
  • Devin Dawson – acoustic guitar (tracks 4, 13), bass (8, 11)
  • Caitlin Evanson – fiddle (tracks 4, 13)
  • Aspene Taylor – piano (track 7), Hammond B3 (11), synthesizer (14)
  • Marcus Wiles – piano, synthesizer (tracks 11, 13); Fender Rhodes (15)
  • Noah Kahan – vocals, background vocals (track 12)
  • John Osborne – electric guitar (track 12)
  • Kelly Bolton – background vocals (track 13)

Technical

  • Alysa Vanderheym – production (all tracks), mixing (tracks 1, 6, 10, 15), recording (10, 15), additional recording (1–9, 11–14), editing (15)
  • Kelsea Ballerini – production
  • Andrew Mendelson – mastering
  • Dan Grech-Marguerat – mixing (tracks 2, 4, 5, 12, 14)
  • Jeff Braun – mixing (tracks 3, 13)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (tracks 7, 9, 11)
  • Alex Ghenea – mixing (track 8)
  • Mike Stankiewicz – recording (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13)
  • Drew Bollman – recording (tracks 3, 4, 7, 12, 14)
  • Gabe Simon – Noah Kahan vocal recording and production (track 12)
  • Louis Remenapp – editing (tracks 1, 2, 4–7, 12, 14), recording assistance (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 11, 13)
  • Chris Small – editing (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14)
  • Luke Armentrout – mastering assistance
  • Adam Battershell – mastering assistance
  • Joey Salit – mastering assistance
  • Andrew Darby – mastering assistance
  • Taylor Chadwick – mastering assistance
  • Luke Burgoyne – mixing assistance (tracks 2, 4, 5, 12, 14)
  • Seb Maletka-Calata – mixing assistance (tracks 2, 4, 5, 12, 14)
  • Zach Kuhlmann – recording assistance (tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 14)
  • Maddie Harmon – Noah Kahan vocal recording assistance (track 12)
  • Alyson McAnally – production coordination

Visuals

  • P Tracy – art direction, design, packaging
  • Ashley Kohorst – art production
  • MC Demetriades – art production
  • Nyk Allen – photography
  • Kelsey Deenihan – hair and makeup
  • Brittany Leslie – hair and makeup assistance
  • Danielle Priano – hair
  • Rob Zangardi – styling
  • Mariel Haenn – styling
  • Jill Petry – styling assistance

Charts

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Chart performance for Patterns
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] 48
Australian Country Albums (ARIA)[17] 4
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[18] 22
Scottish Albums (OCC)[19] 46
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[20] 9
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[21] 34
UK Country Albums (OCC)[22] 1
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[23] 14
US Billboard 200[24] 4
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[25] 1
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[26] 1

Accolades

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Year-end lists
Publication Rank List
Holler 4 The 25 Best Country Albums of 2024[27]
Rolling Stone 16 The 30 Best Country Albums of 2024[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Jon Dolan (October 24, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini Keeps the Pretty-Decent Times Rolling on Patterns". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Liptak, Carena (August 8, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini's New Album, 'Patterns', Is On Its Way". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Lorie Hollabaugh (August 9, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini Examines Some 'Patterns' On New Album, Due In October". Music Row. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c P. Claire Dodson (October 25, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini Says Chase Stokes Was Alongside Entire Making of New Album PATTERNS". Teen Vogue. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Lauren McCarthy (October 24, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini's 'Patterns' Is Not a Love Album". Nylon. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini — Release Week Surprise". Instagram. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  7. ^ Jof Owen (October 25, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini — Patterns". Holler. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Keith Caulfield (November 3, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator's 'CHROMAKOPIA' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Billy Dukes (June 27, 2024). "Why Kelsea Ballerini Picked Noah Kahan for Cowboys Cry Too". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini - Sorry Mom (Official Music Video)". August 12, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini - Two Things (Official Music Video)". September 20, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini - First Rodeo (Official Music Video)". October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Jessica Nicholson (October 24, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini Releases New Album 'Patterns': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Gil Kaufman (October 23, 2024). "Kelsea Ballerini Announces Dates For 30-City 2025 'Patterns' U.S. Tour". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  16. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Country Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  20. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  21. ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  22. ^ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  23. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  24. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  25. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  26. ^ "Kelsea Ballerini Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Ross Jones (December 5, 2024). "The Best Country Music Albums of 2024". Holler. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "Best Country Albums of 2024". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
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