Sara Evans, ‘Slow Me Down’ – Album of the Month (March 2014)

Readers of The Boot have voted Sara Evans' upcoming album, 'Slow Me Down,' our Album of the Month for March 2014.

Evans competed against some of the country's hottest veterans and rising stars, including Jo Dee Messina, David Nail, Eli Young Band, Don Williams and Jerrod Niemann. Her fans came out in force, earning 'Slow Me Down' nearly 40 % of the overall vote.

She changed up her approach for the new project, which is her seventh studio album.

“My goal every time I go in the studio to make a new record is to challenge myself a little bit more, to try to have the newest and freshest sound, but still the Sara Evans sound,” she says.

“By that I mean my music has always had the same vocal sound … I love a ton of guitar and there’s just this … sound.”

The singer drafted producer Mark Bright for the new project, who also helmed her multi-platinum effort, ‘Real Fine Place.’ She co-wrote three of the new songs with some of Nashville’s top songwriters, including Dave Berg, Karyn Rochelle and Sarah Buxton.

“Making ‘Slow Me Down’ has been a truly amazing experience,” Evans enthuses. “I had the chance to co-write with some of my favorite writers, work with Mark and some truly incredible musicians -- and now hearing what we created gives me such an incredible sense of pride."

The album's title song and lead single is already climbing the charts.

“I knew, as I’ve known with other songs that I’ve written and recorded, that ‘Slow Me Down’ was me,” the singer shares. “I love songs that evoke emotion -- it really is what connects people to the music. When we went into the studio to record ['Slow Me Down'] my main goal was to capture the desperation and passion in the song -- to strike a balance between a strong vocal and the emotion that would pull in the listener.”

'Slow Me Down' features guest appearances by Vince Gill on ‘Better Off,’ and Isaac Slade of the Fray for a duet on ‘Can’t Stop Loving You.’ Evans also recorded a cover of Gavin DeGraw’s ‘Not Over You,’ which features DeGraw on harmony vocals.

"Having Isaac, Gavin and Vince sing with me was an amazing experience, and they took those songs to another level," Evans states. "I honestly have never been more excited to have everyone hear one of my albums. I cannot wait to share it with everyone.”

'Slow Me Down' is set for release on March 11. It is currently available for pre-order here.