Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going
Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going is the third studio album by American musician Shaboozey, released on May 31, 2024, through American Dogwood and Empire Distribution.
It was preceded by five singles, including the US number-one hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"; while not being released as a single, the BigXthaPlug collaboration "Drink Don't Need No Mix" reached the top 10 of the Rhythmic Airplay charts. The album also includes collaborations with Paul Cauthen and Noah Cyrus. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200. The deluxe edition, titled Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going: The Complete Edition, was released on April 25, 2025.
Critical reception
Grayson Haver Currin of Pitchfork wrote that the album "does not feel like a mere receptacle for one of the year's most unlikely hits", calling it "remarkably assured" and "a sophisticated self-help journey that only occasionally masquerades as a good time. He has spent a long while trying to find some space where the sounds of hip-hop and country could overlap, where the defiant swagger, nostalgic circumspection, and quivering heartbreak of both genres could fuse together". David Browne of Rolling Stone felt that Shaboozey "comes across like someone raised on country who also appreciates hip hop. In doing so, he's effectively changed the game", describing it as "a full-on barrage of post-genre possibilities".
Billboard's Kyle Denis commented that "at a tight 12 tracks, there's no real filler on Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going. Shaboozey assembled his strongest hooks and smartest arrangements to craft a record that embraces both country music tradition and modernity". A staff review from Taste of Country opined that the album "deals with subjects such as heartbreak, depression and even suicide. While the project does feature some more light-hearted tracks, Shaboozey chooses to let us all in on his journey of authenticity and humility". Holler's Soda Canter said that "Shaboozey oozes with ignitable star power as he expertly mixes his hip hop, country and Americana musical influences along with his past experience as a filmmaker", calling it a "creatively diverse cocktail".
Chart performance
Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 and at number two on the US Top Country Albums chart week dated June 15, 2024, earning 50,000 album-equivalent units.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Horses & Hellcats" |
|
| 2:37 |
| 2. | "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" |
|
| 2:51 |
| 3. | "Last of My Kind" (featuring Paul Cauthen) |
|
| 3:21 |
| 4. | "Anabelle" |
|
| 3:06 |
| 5. | "East of the Massanutten" |
|
| 3:57 |
| 6. | "Highway" |
|
| 2:42 |
| 7. | "Let It Burn" |
|
| 3:26 |
| 8. | "My Fault" (featuring Noah Cyrus) |
|
| 3:56 |
| 9. | "Vegas" |
| Sastry | 3:01 |
| 10. | "Drink Don't Need No Mix" (with BigXthaPlug) |
|
| 2:13 |
| 11. | "Steal Her from Me" |
|
| 3:33 |
| 12. | "Finally Over" |
|
| 3:09 |
| Total length: | 37:52 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Amen" (with Jelly Roll) |
|
| 3:17 |
| 14. | "Hail Mary" (with Sierra Ferrell) |
|
| 2:44 |
| 15. | "Fire and Gasoline" |
|
| 3:12 |
| 16. | "Blink Twice" (with Myles Smith) |
|
| 2:36 |
| 17. | "Good News" |
|
| 3:19 |
| 18. | "Chrome" (bonus) |
|
| 2:25 |
Personnel
- Shaboozey – vocals
- Colin Leonard – mastering (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8–12)
- Dave Huffman – mastering (track 4)
- Chris Athens – mastering (track 7)
- Raul Lopez – mixing (tracks 1–8, 10–12)
- Ryan Dulude – mixing (track 9)
- Skyler Gibbons – engineering
- Stef Moro – engineering (track 4)
- Sean Cook – recording (tracks 1–3, 5–8, 10–12); acoustic guitar, electric guitar (2)
- Nevin Sastry – recording (tracks 4, 9)
- Trey Pearce – recording (track 8)
- Lily Honigberg – fiddle (tracks 2, 12)
Charts
Weekly charts | Year-end charts |