Thomas Rhett has launched the boldest album of his career with Life Changes, released on September 8, and Billboard reports the singer’s likely to break records with the project.
Depending on album sales, the publication alleges that Life Changes could very well become the first country album in 2017 to hit number one on the Billboard 200 all-genre chart. While Thomas has tough competition with the release of Jack Johnson‘s All the Light Above It Too, also released on September 8, this could mark a major milestone for TR and the country genre.
While it’s too early to confirm, industry forecasters think TR’s album will hit No. 1 based on pre-orders and song streaming activity. Other country albums that came close to the top spot this year include Brantley Gilbert‘s The Devil Don’t Sleep, Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Volume 1, Zac Brown Band’s Welcome Home, and Brett Eldredge’s self-titled release, all of which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
In 2016, Jason Aldean‘s They Don’t Know was the only country album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. If Thomas’ Life Changes surges to the top spot, it would be the first country album to top that chart this year.