The 13 tracks on her debut album ‘My Stupid Life’ embody Brittney Spencer’s decade-long journey navigating the challenges of “making it” in Music City while discovering her authentic self along the way. It captures Spencer’s authenticity and reflects her commitment to staying true to herself amidst the twists and turns of her Nashville experience in some style, often channeling classic commercial Country with a healthy dose of Soul and Pop along the way.
Hailing from Baltimore, Brittney Spencer is celebrated for her boundless spirit and exceptional ability to weave life, authenticity, and wild imagination into her songs. Recognised as a “one to watch” by PEOPLE Magazine, Spencer has shared stages with luminaries like Jason Isbell, The Highwomen, Willie Nelson, Reba, Bobby Weir, and Maren Morris, showcasing her versatility and broad musical range. Her vocal prowess also led her to perform the National Anthem at prestigious events such as The 148th Kentucky Derby, the 2022 Preakness alongside Megan Thee Stallion and Lauryn Hill, and the 2023 NFL Draft. Up until now she has very much been an artists’ artist and one of Nashville’s best kept secrets: that is all about to change with ‘My Stupid Life’.
Off the bat, the album, when you dig into its origins, reads like a who’s who of Nashville lumnaries. Writers, producers and collaborators include artists like Maren Morris, Grace Potter, Jason Isbell, Sean McConnell, Jennifer Wayne, Abbey Cone and Sarah Buxton – that type of heft is rare for a debut album and it hints at just how well regarded Spencer is amongst her fellow peers. “This feels like a long time coming,” says Spencer. “It took me three years from the time I released my first EP ‘Compassion’ to now to release my first album. These songs serve as my introduction to country music and I wanted to give them all the time and care that they (and my fans) deserve. I wrote a lot of songs from the back corners of my mind because I wanted to take a good, deeper look at myself and create something true to who and where I am at this time in my life.” One listen to ‘My Stupid Life’ and you’ll be left in no doubt as to the quality and authenticity of this talented artist.
What’s clear from the first listen is that this album tells a story. The album opens with ‘New to This Town,’ a sweet and gentle introduction that sets the tone for the journey ahead. Spencer shares her feelings about being new to Nashville, capturing the naivety and yearning through wistful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. It serves as a perfect opener, chronologically paving the way for what follows and it closes with ‘Reaching Out,’ in which Spencer reflects on a decade of struggles and growth. The plaintive, soulful song expresses yearning and resilience, as the artist searches for something better. Ending on a thoughtful note, the track is both relatable and hopeful, marking a poignant conclusion to the album. In between, we get the story of Spencer’s ‘Stupid Life’ in all its warts-and-all glory, sometimes channeling slick commercial Country, sometimes soulful R&B and Blues.
If it’s the former that floats your boat then check out the likes of ‘I Got Time’, ‘Night In’ and ‘First Car Feeling’. Transitioning to a funky, southern-sounding uptempo vibe, ‘I Got Time’ delivers a summer anthem. With its upbeat tempo and infectious energy, Spencer sings about road trips and relationships, creating a perfect balance against a summery southern backdrop reminiscent of 2010s Little Big Town meets classic Sheryl Crow ‘Tuesday Night…’ vibes. Featuring a real-life phone call intro with artists like Mickey Guyton and Abbey Cone, ‘Night In’ explodes into a brash and melodic anthem. The song, built around a guitar riff reminiscent of 90s college rock & punk bands like Smash Mouth, Blink 182 and Wheatus, explores the desire for a cozy night in with sweatpants, snacks, and stupid shows. Its cross-genre potential makes it a hit song in waiting whilst ‘First Car Feeling’ takes listeners on a nostalgic road trip experience. Spencer connects the naivety of owning your first car to simpler times, incorporating funky guitars, big melodies, and an FM radio vibe. It’s a feel-good anthem with a touch of nostalgia that feels like it could have been lifted straight from any album by the likes of Keith Urban or Rascal Flatts.
The force is strong in the ballads on ‘My Stupid Life’ also. ‘Bigger than the Song’ is a beautiful, heavyweight ballad that delves into the significance of songs and music in our lives, referencing iconic artists like Reba, Dolly, Queen Latifah and Alanis Morrisette amongst many others.. Spencer’s soulful vocals shine as the song builds to an anthemic and emotional chorus. It showcases her ability to convey deep emotions and connect with listeners alongisde her effortless ability to belt out a real banger of a tune! ‘The Last Time,’ meanwhile, is a gentle, soulful song that explores the complexities of love, with Spencer expressing a longing for her past self in a previous relationship. The sparse yet effective production places the focus on the heartfelt lyrics and vocals, creating an intimate connection with the listener. ‘The Last Time’ is one of three songs, alongside ‘My First Rodeo’ and ‘Deeper’ that lean more towards Soul and R&B with their smooth vibes and rich, warm vocals. If you are in any doubt as to the delightful tone and quality of Brittney Spencer’s vocals check out the ending to ‘The Last Time’ and marvel as the song fades away to an ending leaving Spencer’s isolated vocals to finish off the ‘It’s always been you’ mantra: Wow!
Elsewhere, away from the slick, commercial Country and soulful R&B and Blues you’ll find some well-crafted Rock and Pop vibes on ‘My Stupid Life.’ The title track itself serves as a biographical anthem, starting quietly and evolving into an 80s pop-inspired journey. Spencer speaks to her future partner, delivering a catchy, commercial song with heart and soul. The empowering lyrics resonate, encapsulating the essence of the album’s mission statement. ‘Desperate,’ meanwhile, merges mid-tempo classic Country with 80s rock vibes as Brittney Spencer grapples with the dilemma of expressing love, creating a sweet and singalong melody with chugging guitars and big backing vocals reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s Fearless era. Speaking of Taylor, be sure to check out ‘If You Say So,’ a classic 70s Fleetwood Mac meets Taylor Swift vibe abounds here. ‘If You Say So” evokes the Laurel Canyon spirit in some style. The song is set against a backdrop of chugging guitars, building to a West Coast-inspired chorus with delightful melodies. It stands out as one of the hidden gems on an album that has a lot of loud songs and a lot of things to say.
‘My Stupid Life’ showcases Brittney Spencer’s versatility, vocal prowess, and ability to convey authentic emotions through a diverse musical landscape. Each track adds a layer to the overall narrative, creating a compelling and immersive listening experience. Spencer’s rich storytelling and soulful delivery make this album a standout contribution to the contemporary Country music narrative.
Tracklist: 1. New to This Town 2. I Got Time 3. Night In (Phone Call) 4. Night In 5. Bigger Than the Song 6. My First Rodeo 7. The Last Time 8. Deeper 9. First Car Feeling 10. Desperate 11. If You Say So 12. My Stupid Life 13. Reaching Out Release Date: 19th January Record Label: Parlophone Buy ‘My Stupid Life’ right here.
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