Carrie Underwood opens her third album with an audacious stomper, "Cowboy Casanova," a put-down of a playboy that slyly references a famous quarterback Underwood briefly dated. But everything else about the bold, sassy tune looks forward, a reflection of "Play On," which aims to illustrate Underwood’s maturation and growth.

In this CD cover image released by 19 Recordings Limited / Arista Nashville, ‘Play On,’ by Carrie Underwood is shown.
(AP Photo/19 Recordings Limited / Arista Nashville)

On her first two albums, the "American Idol" winner worked to establish herself as a country music singer. Now that she’s the reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year and Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year, Underwood looks to expand her boundaries on "Play On."

Primarily, she brings in several successful pop songwriters, including "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, hip-hop specialist Mike Elizondo (Eminem, 50 Cent) and dance-pop producer Max Martin (Pink, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson). At times, the pop collaborators strive to accentuate Underwood’s country roots. "Quitter," co-produced and co-written by Martin, grounds its pop melody by playing the main riff on mandolin. DioGuardi’s co-writes include a tender family ballad, "Mama’s Song," that’s as Southern as eggs and grits at sunrise.

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