Recording the follow-up to an album that produced three chart-topping singles and sold 3 million copies is wrought with temptations—to veer off the rails in an attempt to create something different, or to basically replicate the previous album in hopes of a similar payoff. For the most part, Lady Antebellum strikes a nice balance between the two, keeping the penchant for bighearted ballads and the vocal chemistry between Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott intact.

“Dancin’ Away With My Heart,” a softhearted reverie of first love, is a standout. Hillary’s softly pleading voice is highlighted on the piano-laden ballads “As You Turn Away,” the chart-topper “Just a Kiss” and the gorgeous “The Heart of the World.”

“Friday Night,” the fiddle-adorned “The Love I’ve Found in You” and “Singing Me Home,” the album’s up-tempo offerings, are the kind of infectious, cheery romps that vocal groups tend to sound so good on, and Lady Antebellum is no exception. In fact, the addition of more up-tempo tunes would lighten this ballad-heavy project.