music

Reba McEntire

Keep On Loving You

Keep On Loving You is Reba McEntire’s first album for the new Valory Music Co. label after more than two decades of success on MCA Nashville. Given the high stakes that suggests, it’s fitting that her latest finds Reba relying mostly on the anthems to the strength of ordinary women that are her trademark and taking few chances with her sound. Six of the cuts here were produced by Reba with longtime collaborator Tony Brown, while the other seven team her with Mark Bright—new to her, but a proven commodity in contemporary country.
But while there aren’t many variations from Reba’s classic formula here, it’s one that still works like a charm. And there are at least a couple of new twists: The tough, tightly coiled riff of “Just When I Thought I’d Stopped Loving You” segues into a darkly melodic chorus, and “Pink Guitar” (co-written by Jamie O’Neal) casts an approving eye on the latest generation of spunky young women looking to follow in her footsteps.

• September 14, 2009
• by Chris Neal