Dark Horse is the debut studio album by American country music singer Devin Dawson. It was released on January 19, 2018, via Warner Bros. Records Nashville.

Background Before Devin became a country singer, he was in a band called "SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS". 2 ALBUMS were made by SOTC, Self released their Self-Titled debut album on 6/12/2010. Inspired by amazing games like ICO, and SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS, they even wrote about them in their songs on this self titled album. The second album to self-release was "END GAME" - More melodic, but with the same gut punching action! - These albums can be found on BANDCAMP, along with another song made afterwards called "EVOLUTION:REVOLUTION.

+ Before the album "END GAME" was out, DEVIN DAWSON had a little band, or a group of friends and a band called "DEVIN DAWSON" - album(demo) "THE IVORY COAST"...with well written lyrics, and soothing music. THE IVORY COAST had 3 songs on the demo. 1.) ALL MY LOVE 2.) FEAR 3.) THE IVORY COAST Released March 15, 2013 ALL MUSIC WRITTEN BY DEVIN DAWSON ALL MUSIC PRODUCED BY DEVIN DAWSON AND JOSHUA TOMLINSON ALL MUSIC MIXED BY DEVIN DAWSON AND JOSHUA TOMLINSON ALL TRACKS MASTERED BY JAKE LUBIN Band members Vocals/acoustic - DEVIN DAWSON Piano - Kevin Hutchens Electric guitar - Matt Roberts Drums - Josh Tomlinson Pedal steel/Electric guitar - Ben Little John Bass guitar - Quentin Flowers

Dawson co-wrote every song on the album, including lead single "All on Me". Jay Joyce served as the album's producer.

Critical reception Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote that "There's a fleetness in Dawson's delivery, an exactitude in his songcraft, and a mellowness in his execution that push his music toward the confines of country". Sounds Like Nashville writer Annie Reuter reviewed the album positively, stating "His unique storytelling partnered with Joyce's standout production give Dark Horse a timeless appeal, which is surely just a taste of Dawson’s promising career".

Commercial performance The album debuted on Billboards Top Country Albums at No. 5, selling 7,000 copies (11,000 in album equivalent units) in the first week. It has sold 18,000 copies in the United States as of June 2018.

Track listing

Personnel Adapted from AllMusic

Kip Allen – drums, handclapping, percussion, programming Devin Dawson – acoustic guitar, handclapping, lead vocals, background vocals Nick DiMaria – banjo, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals Fred Eltringham – programming Jason Hall – handclapping Jaxon Hargrove – handclapping Jillian Jacqueline – background vocals Jay Joyce – bass guitar, bells, bowed vibes, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, handclapping, keyboards, lap steel guitar, percussion, programming Jimmy Mansfield – handclapping Sam Rodberg – bass guitar, handclapping Austin Smith – electric guitar, handclapping, background vocals

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2018) Peak position

Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 74

References