Yelawolf/Fefe

Michael Atha, better known as Yelawolf, has said that he has reached the point in his career where he feels comfortable taking calculated risks with his music. It isn’t more evident than on his last album, 2015’s Love Story. Atha strays from the over-produced hip-hop beats, such as that found on Daddy’s Lambo,” that defined his rise in popularity around 2010. Now, with an audience to back him, he explores broader soundscapes, featuring southern rock guitar strumming and focusing his voice, which is commonly razor-sharp when he raps, into a mellow croon on songs like “American You” and “Best Friend.” (DeSmit)