Dawson co-wrote every song on the album, including lead single "All on Me". Jay Joyce served as the album's producer.[1]
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".[2] Sounds Like Nashville writer Annie Reuter reviewed the album positively, stating that "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."[1]
Commercial performance
The album debuted on Billboard's Top Country Albums at No. 5, selling 7,000 copies (11,000 in album equivalent units) in the first week.[3] It has sold 18,000 copies in the United States as of June 2018.[4]