One of the reasons that Nashville is called Music City is that so many songs are written and recorded here. Known for its collaborative writing rooms, Nashville is famous for group writing sessions. Songwriters get together, often as strangers, and create music that may or may not be shared with the world.
In 2022, Joe Hanson and Chris Ray met in a writers’ room. Hanson explained, “Very quickly, we realized we had a ton in common as far as our faith, our upbringing, our musical influences. And it was effortless. When we started singing together, the harmonies just blended organically. And we just had the best time and quickly became good friends.”
At the time, it was summer, and Hanson and Ray were pursuing solo careers as singer/songwriters. A lot of people complimented their harmony, so they took note and “merged into one two-lane road.”
The duo isn’t pigeonholed into one genre, drawing from country, pop, R&B, and gospel to spread positivity to their fans.
So far, the first song they wrote together, “Eyes That Ain’t Yours,” is their biggest hit to date. It’s a song that uplifts others as it states, “If you could see you, through eyes that ain’t yours.” That first song would set the tone for the rest of the type of music the pair would find themselves writing.
In 2023, 2 Lane Summer covered one of my all-time favorite love songs, Lonestar’s “Amazed,” and brilliantly brought it to a new generation.
Hanson also got married in 2023, which continues to stimulate their songwriting. 2 Lane Summer soon released “God Made You” and the acoustic “First Dancin’,” both inspired by his wife.
With such a catalog of inspirational songs, the duo decided it was time to release their debut album. Available this weekend, Flawless is an uplifting and encouraging record.
Produced by Ash Bowers (Matt Stell’s multi-Platinum No. 1 “Prayed for You”), the project marries raw, honest emotion with clean, bright, country-pop sheen and the smooth, trademark vocal harmonies of 2 Lane Summer’s Joe Hanson and Chris Ran.
Hanson shared, “We just want people to be able to listen from top to bottom and just be totally uplifted and encouraged and have a better day by the time they’re done listening to the music.”
“We named the album Flawless because we all have insecurities and, being human, we all struggle with that,” Ray said. “But we want to uplift people with this album and want people to know we’re right there with you. So, keep your head up and keep your chin up, because there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
Written alongside Houston Phillips (Jason Aldean’s “Ride All Night”) and Kyle Schlienger (Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know”), the title track, “Flawless” is an endearing love song, centered around a man’s heartfelt promise always to speak the truth that his woman is beautiful, even when she feels like the mirror—and the world—are telling her differently. As a woman, I think we desperately need this message.
“It’s the poster child song for this whole record,” Ray confirmed. “Just setting people free when they hear that message was something Chris and I thought would be a really powerful way to stamp this record and make it the title track.”
The pair re-released “First Dancin’,” a song originally recorded as a piano-vocal track, and in this “Forever Version” added a full band. The track is one of the duo’s highest-streamed songs and the first dance at many fans’ weddings.
“It’s the highest compliment you can get to be a part of somebody’s life and their big day,” Hanson stated.
The first song on the Flawless album is “Known for Loving You.” It is an upbeat, roll-the-windows-down groove worthy of any summertime road-trip playlist. It’s the perfect song to begin the record.
“Life is Good” is a bright, banjo-driven sing-along song about counting blessings, keeping the faith, and seeing the sunshine behind life’s clouds. An outside cut, “Here’s To You,” is the most country-sounding track as it credits friends and family for making them who they are by “raising this cold drink.”
Another notable outside cut fits nicely within their wheelhouse, “Til I Found You,” which also has a wedding version.
2 Lane Summer continues to acknowledge their faith in the song, “Made By Him.” It gives thanks for the unwavering love God shows to each of us, even when we lose our way.
Whether they intended it or not, I predict “Chances” will be their next viral wedding song. The intimate, piano-led ballad that showcases the subtle precision of 2 Lane Summer’s signature harmonies. The song acknowledges that, while there may be uncertainties along the way, starting a new life with someone you love is worth the journey.
What woman wouldn’t want to hear Girl, I’ll take my chances/ I’ll give you my heart/ Baby, the truth is you stole it long ago on their wedding day?
Ray told me “No Going Back” is his favorite song on the record, which makes me wonder if another 2 Lane Summer wedding is on the horizon.
The words I swear I could hold your hand/ For the rest of all my days/ I guess it must have been God’s plan/ ‘Cause we’ve got it made foreshadow possible nuptials.
The album closes with “Keeps Me Falling,” a vivacious, up-tempo celebration of all the things that keep someone falling in love with their significant other, time and time again. The danceable, feel-good anthem features stunning lyrics that paint a picture of an everlasting love story born—and enduring—under the stars.
In an era of troubling news headlines and polarized politics, 2 Lane Summer’s dependable message of positivity, faith, friendship, and love is resonating strongly with the public. The duo continues to amass a fast-growing fan base, which now includes nearly 800,000 social media followers and a music catalog surpassing 19.5 million streams.
There are countless country lanes between Joe Hanson’s Illinois and Chris Ray’s Mississippi. But the only one that matters is the one that led them to Nashville and to each other.
If you love being in love, Flawless is the album for you.
You can follow 2 Lane Summer on their website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and all streaming platforms.
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and TikTok.
Flawless Official Album Track Listing
1. “Known for Loving You” (Nathan Woodard, Hunter Leath, Tim Owens, Chris Ray, Joe Hanson)
2. “Flawless” (Houston Phillips, Kyle Schlienger, Chris Ray, Joe Hanson)
3. “Here’s to You” (Jaron Boyer, Ash Bowers, Johnny Dailey)
4. “Life is Good” (Keesy Timmer, Chris Ray, Joe Hanson)
5. “Made by Him” (Matt Gorman, Jaron Boyer, Neal Coty)
6. “Chances” (Chris Ray, Joe Hanson, Adam Wheeler)
7. “First Dancin’ (Forever Version)” (Chris Ray, Joe Hanson, Keesy Timmer)
8. “When You Love Somebody” (Ash Bowers, Chris Ray, Joe Hanson, Mike Mobley)
9. “No Going Back” (Jake Arthur, Chris Ray, Joe Hanson)
10. “Til I Found You” (Ash Bowers, Martin McDaniel, Mike Mobley)
11. “Eyes That Ain’t Yours” (Chris Ray, Dustin James, Joe Hanson, John Marlin)
12. “Keeps Me Falling” (Chris Ray, Joe Hanson, Neal Coty, Mike Mobley)
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