On August 21, Matchbox Twenty’s lead singer, Rob Thomas, released his third solo album. His newest album is The Great Unknown with new pop songs, such as “Trust You” and “Hold On Forever”. Rob Thomas collaborated with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, Wallpaper’s Ricky Reed, and Matt Serletic who helped Thomas write Carlos Santana’s 1999 hit, “Smooth”. In August, The Great Unknown was number 1 on the iTunes pop charts.

Compared to Rob Thomas’s previous albums, The Great Unknown has a mix of upbeat, pop sound and deep, soulful music. Some of Rob Thomas’s fans are not in love with his new album because it is not a part of his alternative music that he has had for over almost two decades. But three of the slower songs on this album such as “The Great Unknown”, “Lie to Me”, and “Pieces” remain true to the unique music that Rob Thomas has created.

His first new single “Trust You” has a pulsating track with catchy, pop lyrics. “All my friends say, ‘when you gon’ play?’/ I’m always too busy, I don’t need to stay up late/ But I change my mind when I see your face/ cause I trust you” are the starting lyrics that are instantly grabbing listeners into its rhythmic music that would want to make them dance. The new pop song that Rob Thomas released has definitely caught listeners’ attention.

For those who prefer Rob Thomas’s soulful, alternative music, do not fret because The Great Unknown still contains it. For instance, the last song of the album titled “Pieces”, Thomas sings, “We build it up, we tear it down/ We leave our pieces on the ground/ We see no end and we don’t know how/ We are lost and we’re falling/ Hold on to me/ You’re all I have, all I have”. It brings forth a message that even when life does not turn out as expected, life will not be so bad when being with loved ones. The lush and melodic piano track brings listeners in a reminiscent state of nostalgia.

Rob Thomas has produced a great mix of songs for this album. It goes from energetic to whimsical to somber. The Great Unknown provides a song for every type of mood a person could be in. Music can be very personal to some listeners, and it is a way of expressing moods or providing an artistic voice of internal thoughts. It should be greatly known that Rob Thomas’ The Great Unknown definitely delivered to those songs to headphones and radios alike.

Rob Thomas Trust You from Afshin Shahidi on Vimeo.