A fact masked by his young age, twenty-one-year-old Hunter Hayes is a country music veteran, with meaningful experience as a songwriter, instrumentalist and singer.
But it was not until the release of his 2011 self-titled album–and, really, until its second single “Wanted” broke through–that the charmer solidified himself as a force in country music.
The crossover-friendly ballad “Wanted” shot to number one on the Billboard Country Songs chart and number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, two achievements that eerily mirror those of country-pop sensation Taylor Swift, whose third single and first country chart-topper “Our Song” had the exact same results back in 2007.
Hayes’ profile exponentially grew in conjunction with the crossover hit, and he even earned a nomination in the Grammy Awards’ pivotal Best New Artist category.
It also helped advance follow-up single “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” an endearing but not inherently commercial song, into seventh position on the Billboard country songs chart. “Storm Warning,” his debut single, peaked at 14.
But given vast interest in his music, he is wisely releasing a deluxe edition of his major studio debut. Entitled “Encore,” the set drops June 18, and its promotional single will be the newly-released “I Want Crazy.” Hayes debuted the song at the ACM Awards Sunday, and a studio version is now available.
With a clear Keith Urban vibe, the breezy song features the catchy hook and production needed to score streams and radio play without venturing outside the parameters of country.
Audio is featured below: