Brett Young’s 2017 self-titled debut album was a smash hit, spawning four No. 1 singles, including “Sleep Without You,” “In Case You Didn’t Know,” “Like I Loved You” and “Mercy.” Brett’s ballad-friendly breakthrough album gave fans a heavy dose of “love,” sans the “party” songs that have become so prevalent on country radio.

“Falling in love or falling out of love—those are the easiest songs to write because it’s just straight from personal experience,” said Brett to Nash Country Daily in 2017. “I think everybody’s felt both of those. Everybody’s been in love, everybody’s had heartbreak. We noticed that when we put together the 12 songs that would make the [self-titled debut] record, there was not a party song on this record. I’ve written a ton of party songs and not that there’s anything wrong with that. I think, in trying to tell my story and let people get to know me, it seemed like we should talk about things that I’ve lived.”

In addition to his four No. 1 singles, Brett has had numerous reasons to celebrate since releasing his debut project, including headlining his own tour, playing Nissan Stadium at 2018’s CMA Fest, winning the 2018 ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year award, winning the 2018 ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year award and marrying girlfriend Taylor Mills in November.

With the release of his sophomore album, Ticket to L.A., on Dec. 7, Brett told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown that he’s in a different place in his life since releasing his debut album—and there are some noticeable changes on the new record.

“One thing that we didn’t want to change was just the songwriting,” says Brett. “You know, I wanted to keep coming from the same place of honesty and life experience, and I want to always feel that connection, but one thing that I think is just noticeably different immediately is that I’m in a different place in my life, and so whether the song is happy or sad, the feel is much peppier and up-tempo, and there’s just a vibe in the music itself that just feels different. It kind of shows my heart and where I’m at right now, and so I think that will come across to people.”

Brett co-penned 10 of the 13 tracks on Ticket to L.A., including new single, “Here Tonight.” Check out the new video for “Here Tonight.”