Album: Sweeter

Introduction
"Sweeter" is the 4th studio album by Gavin DeGraw, launched on September 20, 2011. The album marked a shift in DeGraw's musical style, including more of a pop-rock sound and drawing inspiration from other categories such as soul, R&B, and reggae. Collaborating with several songwriters and manufacturers, including Ryan Tedder and Butch Walker, "Sweeter" showcases DeGraw's evolution as an artist and amassed positive reviews from critics.

Leading Singles
The album's first single, "Not Over You", co-written with Ryan Tedder, was released on May 17, 2011. The song is a sincere, piano-driven ballad that showcases DeGraw's emotive vocal expertise and his capability to write catchy hooks. "Not Over You" peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Adult Pop Songs chart.

The 2nd single, "Sweeter", was released on September 20, 2011, and has a more positive, funk-influenced noise compared to "Not Over You". Co-written with Ryan Tedder, "Sweeter" highlights DeGraw's soulful side and supplies a peek of the album's diverse noise.

Album Structure and Themes
"Sweeter" consists of 10 tracks, using a coherent and gratifying listening experience that showcases DeGraw's growth as an artist and his versatility as a songwriter. From heartfelt ballads like "Not Over You" and "Soldier" to the energetic title track "Sweeter" and the reggae-influenced "Radiation", each song adds to the general theme of love and relationships.

"Sweeter" is filled with mentally charged lyrics that explore themes such as heartbreak, longing, and the desire for a sweeter love. Album opener "Sweeter" sets the tone for the record, speaking about the envigorating allure of prohibited love. "Radiation", on the other hand, checks out the addicting nature of a hazardous relationship, with its memorable reggae rhythms tempting listeners in similar to the subject of the tune.

Production and Collaborations
"Sweeter" highlights DeGraw's capability to team up well with other songwriters and manufacturers, resulting in a more refined and well-rounded sound. The addition of Ryan Tedder, who co-wrote and co-produced 3 tracks on the album, brings his recognizable pop sensibilities to the leading edge, as shown in "Not Over You" and "Sweeter".

Manufacturer Butch Walker's impact on the album is particularly evident in the tracks "Candy" and "Stealing", with both tunes including driving guitar riffs and infectious sing-along choruses. These rock-infused tunes function as a solid structure for the album, enabling DeGraw to showcase his singing variety and matching the collection of carefully crafted pop tunes.

Reception and Legacy
Upon release, "Sweeter" received generally favorable reviews from critics, praising DeGraw's versatility as an artist and the cohesive yet different sound throughout the album. It debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart, offering 34,000 copies in its first week.

"Sweeter" strengthened DeGraw's status as a highly regarded singer-songwriter, widening his audience and showing his ability to explore numerous categories while remaining true to his soulful roots. The release of "Not Over You" as the lead single was a turning point in his profession, making him a brand-new generation of fans and assisting to establish DeGraw as a long-lasting figure in the pop-rock landscape of the early 2010s.