Between the summertime grooves and flirtatious attitude, Tucker Wetmore sounds almost too comfortable gliding across his latest EP, Sunburn Mixtape. The latest project from the “Wind Up Missing You” singer, it exists to serve two purposes: fulfill fans’ demand for something more substantive than a new single here and there, and to give Wetmore a playground to let loose and relax.
That approach pays off in some capacity. Sunburn Mixtape is just six songs long, three of which were previously released in its build-up. At that point, you’re not left with much to sink your teeth into, which probably goes without saying given the EP is called “Sunburn Mixtape” and has a picture of a shirtless Wetmore getting drenched by a wave on the coastline.
It’s not a project that comes with all the expectations of an album. Still, when an artist does put out a collection of songs like this, you tend to look for some cohesiveness and common thematic elements. At first glance, Sunburn Mixtape gives the impression of an extended, disco-pop record rooted somewhere in Nashville, and while it does technically deliver that, it doesn’t punch above its weight class as you’d hope.
Wetmore sounds right at home on songs of this caliber. There’s an effortless quality to the sways and head-bobs you’ll experience when listening to this project, with a certain swagger and confidence throughout that’s accentuated compared to his debut What Not To. His voice takes on a higher octave than where it usually resides, giving the EP a brighter, crisper sound that complements the warm instrumentals in the background. As a result, Wetmore sounds more like a pop star than a country boy.
And… it works. The bombastic opener, “Who Told You That,” is one of the best songs in his catalog. It’s simply impossible to ignore how comfortable and natural he sounds, and coupled with the funky electric guitar riffs and his douchey charisma, it stands as a perfect example of Wetmore’s ability to stand out in the oftentimes-unimaginative country-pop world.
The track is succeeded by the three new tracks, before we’re capped off with “Sunburn” and “Proving Me Right.” It’s in that run that things quickly blend, before you notice that Wetmore’s same energy from the beginning kicks back in for a couple more tracks. “Crazy to Yourself,” “98%,” and “Yours” don’t achieve the same level of standalone gravitas that the other three songs are capable of, which somehow makes this limited EP feel a bit bloated.
There’s no obvious weak point or misdirection here. Listen to the project front to back and the same summer-friendly grooves will carry you throughout its runtime. But the middle three songs feel like B-sides to the rest, with more traditional structures and less daring instrumentals. While the subject matter remains lighthearted and easy to listen to, it’s hard to escape the feeling that it works better as background music than anything else.
You find yourself waiting for the Wetmore on the cover of Sunburn Mixtape to reappear. You’re promised six summer anthems when you hit play, and until “Sunburn” comes on, it feels safe to ignore what’s happening and get another drink.
Granted, the EP is basically designed for that anyway. Wetmore isn’t promising a deep album with expert songwriting and storytelling. It’s to help carry you through the dog days of summer, the Tucker Wetmore way. That means a lot more ‘70s influence, higher-pitched vocals, and the “Swag” knob turned up to 10. For an effortless add to a summer playlist, Sunburn Mixtape works well.
It just seemed like Wetmore had way more in the tank given the strength of the three tracks that came out early. Going three-for-three in the marketing, then dipping out when release day arrives is an interesting strategy. It almost feels like he held back, like he’s saving himself for an eventual sophomore album.
Sunburn Mixtape has more filler than a 6-song EP has business having. While that’s a bit disappointing, it sets out to achieve what Wetmore promised: a vibe for hot summer days, when you feel the sunburn kicking in, and you need at least one more pina colada before the weekend’s over.
Wetmore has never really pitched himself as a country artist beyond the mainstream, Top 40 type. With one too many buttons unbuttoned during each performance, a mustache that rides the same trend as every other male artist in the ACM Best Male Artist of the Year category, and a clear knack for keeping things loose on his records, an EP like Sunburn Mixtape seemed inevitable. Its arrival indicates that he’s capable of going full-on pop without losing touch with his aesthetic and artistic integrity, lending more intrigue to whatever comes next.
