Putting in a case for some whiskey-breathed sexy time…
[Video][Website]
[5.29]
Alfred Soto: What the hell — a George Benson arrangement to start? The rest doesn’t measure up — it tries hard for that swampy, smokey vibe — and the conceit/pun is muddled (give me 2013’s simpler “Pieces”). I can tell you, Gary, that sitting in this chair a few hours after a friend’s birthday party I most certainly do not want to hangover tonight.
[6]
Anthony Easton: More smooth jazz than country, and not in that Lyle Lovett large band kind of way, this work sings just enough to make a convincing argument like the straight boy methods of facile seduction. He claims towards risk, but no one will be surprised at where this is going.
[5]
Micha Cavaseno: The verses are constructed like the perfect midway point of a Nashville guy trying awkwardly to encroach on Sam Smith territory of soulful qualities (ending up actually a lot closer to Springsteen, which now reminds me of my father’s seemingly improbable declaration decades ago that The Boss is secretly “a soul guy”). A lot of effects, but I don’t know if that really conveys drunkenness as much as this dude’s vibrato and vocal tone sends him into Rob Thomas territory. All in all, a beguiling invitation.
[4]
Megan Harrington: Some of his metaphors are mixed and it’s a lot more Corona Lite with lime wedge than whiskey shooter, but I’d drink “Hangover Tonight” on a pleasant summer evening. Run through the Gary Allan translator that means I won’t immediately change the station if I’m still waiting on them to play the Florida Georgia Line song I really want to hear.
[6]
Josh Love: It seems like all the boys of current pop-country want to be lovermen, but most get bogged down describing their trucks or their lady’s cut-off jeans rather than actually setting and selling an amorous mood. He’s not going to get mistaken for Al Green anytime soon, but at least Allan’s generous croon and this song’s slinky groove convince you he can genuinely charm a gal into the back of a taxicab.
[6]
Thomas Inskeep: Gary’s voice is as haggard (not Haggard) as ever, but damn if I don’t wish this song were half as clever as it thinks it is.
[5]
Edward Okulicz: The lyrics say sex, but the song feels like Allan’s just going to awkwardly spoon me until he gets up at 3am to go to the toilet and then remain gingerly on the far side of the bed.
[5]