Review: Kelsea Ballerini is an open book on 'Unapologetically'

When you listen to Knoxville native Kelsea Ballerini's sophomore album, "Unapologetically," it feels like you're reading pages out of her diary.

The album, which releases Friday, Nov. 3, is personal and reflective as Ballerini uses her music to delve into the heartbreak, growth and love she's experienced in the past few years. She serves as a co-writer on 11 of the album's 12 tracks, and she wrote the other one by herself.

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Her debut album, 2015's "The First Time," showcased her fun and flirty side with chart toppers, "Love Me Like You Mean It," "Dibs" and "Yeah Boy."

"Unapologetically" retains her country-pop infused sound but goes deeper in some of the album's tracks. It shows more layers to Ballerini's personality including her sassy and thoughtful sides. That's where it shines, and here are the highlights. 

Ballerini brings the sass

Ballerini doesn't pull any punches with the upbeat and sassy "Miss Me More," where she rips an ex-lover who made her change and then finds herself again.

"I forgot I had dreams. I forgot I had wings, forgot who I was before I ever kissed you. Yeah, I thought I'd miss you, but I miss me more," belts Ballerini on "Miss Me More," showcasing a strong lower register to her voice.

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And she doesn't stop there. Ballerini takes aim again in "Get Over Yourself," which sounds like a letter penned to a regretful ex who caused her pain.

"And I'm over you thinking that every move that I'm making is just a game that I'm playing because my heart is still breaking. Boy, I'm over you. I'm over you. So get over yourself," sings Ballerini in the song's lightning fast chorus.

'This ain't high school'

In addition to focusing on finding yourself after a breakup, Ballerini zeroes in on the theme of growth and the trials that come with it on "Unapologetically." 

The most heartbreaking example of this is "High School," the song Ballerini penned by herself. We can probably all think of someone who just can't move on from their high school glory days. Ballerini chronicles this situation with beautiful detail, and it's the most gripping song on the album.

"He's still calling that first love, first time. And he hates he said goodbye, she went on with her life. He's still driving the same old back roads. Wondering when he got so old. Where did his life go? Oh, but he knows. Oh, he knows. Yeah, he knows. That this ain't high school," sings Ballerini on "High School."

Other tracks hit on this theme including the catchy "Machine Heart" about emotions getting the best of us sometimes and the relatable "In Between," where Ballerini reflects on being in her 20s and features a voicemail from her mom.

A few typical love songs

Not every song on "Unapologetically" is a success lyrically. The album's title track and "Roses" both center on warm and fuzzy feelings, but neither of them surpass what you would expect from a typical love song.

They aren't terrible songs. They're catchy, but the tracks focusing on her growth have stronger lyrics and depth. "Legends" is a worthy exception. The emotional track tells a story of an epic love that's ended but was worth the time spent.

The hits outnumber the misses on "Unapologetically," however. Ballerini's significant growth from "The First Time" to her second album shows she has the talent and the adaptability to be successful in the country music scene for years to come.