Sam Hunt's newest single sent to country radio is another in-no-way-country song in his typical Jason Mraz fan/gated community poet vibe. The verses are, for the most part, spoken word. Not rap, not talk singing exactly… more like the spoken bridges in 90s R&B songs, which makes sense with Hunt claiming Boyz II Men as a major influence. "Take Your Time" is a step up from his previous hit "Leave the Night On" because it's at least more rooted in organic music rather than drum loops and electronica. It's also devoid of any of the annoying youthful lingo (get off my lawn!) and typical 2014 era cliche of partying/hanging out with a Levis-clad girl late into the night. "Take Your Time" is a mature, gracious and less self-assured take on the short term relationships thrown together in bars and clubs. It's a refreshing take - Sam playing the laid back gentleman suitor vs the other bro's trying to get in the girl's pants (possibly his friend Chase Rice). It could come off as a wimpy ploy at separating female listeners from their 99 cents, but it's surprisingly honest. The tune is something of a potboiler, tempo-wise…the chorus sounding right at home on country radio with the chatty verses being the only sonic standout on the track. Much like most of Sam's Montevallo, it's not a bad song at all, it's just in the wrong genre. There's no fiddle, no steel, no twang - just Hunt's understated drawl, and the subject matter is decidedly suburban. Sam seems like a decent guy, far better spoken and self-aware than his brethren; he's just in the wrong place at the right time. As a pop song, I'd give this 75/99 on our old 99 cent review scale. As a country song, it's a goose egg.
