Colbie Caillat discusses duets album “This Time Around” with Songwriter Universe

Colbie Caillat, a Grammy-winning artist with two platinum albums, has recently released her new album, This Time Around. In this collection, Caillat collaborates with various artists, including Maren Morris, Walker Hayes, Mitchell Tenpenny, Hillary Scott, Russell Dickerson, Jason Mraz, and Chris Young, to create duet versions of her classic hits and three new songs. The album stays true to Caillat’s smooth transition into country music, a genre she fully embraces since moving to Nashville.

This Time Around features tracks like “Live Without” with Maddie & Tae, “Kinda Single” with Lee Brice, and “Can’t Say No” with Ryan Hurd. Additionally, a cover of Post Malone’s hit “Circles” is included, with Gavin DeGraw joining Caillat. The album showcases her ability to connect with well-known musicians in Nashville, highlighting her dedication to exploring new collaborative opportunities.

Embarking on a fall concert tour followed by a Christmas tour with Gavin DeGraw, Caillat’s performances will blend popular songs with festive tunes, creating a unique experience for her fans. In a recent Q&A interview, Caillat shares her inspiration behind the duets album and how the collaboration process unfolded. She reveals that the concept of reimagining her old songs with duet partners was a long-time aspiration that finally came to fruition thanks to her team’s suggestion.

When discussing the selection of artists for the album, Caillat explains it was a mix of friends and musicians whose voices complemented her own style. For instance, Hillary Scott expressed interest in singing “Try” based on her personal connection to the song, while Mitchell Tenpenny eagerly joined Caillat on “Realize,” recalling harmonizing to the track in high school. The album further includes collaborations with artists like Maren Morris, Amos Lee, and Gavin DeGraw, all of whom share a musical synergy with Caillat.

One standout track on the album is “Brighter Than The Sun,” featuring Walker Hayes. Their vibrant duet exudes positive energy, with Walker adding his unique touch to the song’s uptempo rhythm. Collaborating with Walker was a new experience for Caillat, facilitated by mutual connections in Nashville, which resulted in a seamless partnership.

Reflecting on the creation of her hit song “Bubbly,” Caillat recalls a moment of inspiration following an impromptu jam session where a changed guitar tuning influenced the song’s melodic structure. Co-written with Jason Reeves, “Bubbly” quickly emerged during a creative burst, with Reeves contributing a poignant bridge section that elevated the song’s emotional depth.

Finally, Caillat revisits “Lucky,” her chart-topping collaboration with Jason Mraz, which receives a fresh interpretation on This Time Around. Consulting Mraz on the updated version, Caillat sought his approval and input to ensure a collaborative approach that honored the original track’s essence while injecting new energy into the duet.

With This Time Around, Colbie Caillat demonstrates her continued evolution as an artist, embracing the spirit of collaboration and creativity to deliver a captivating album that showcases her vocal talent and ability to connect with fellow musicians.