Drenched in authenticity, barstool charm and Tennessee limestone gravel in her voice, Nashville-born and bred songbird Lauren Watkins writes, breathes, and lives country music. She grew up mesmerised by a jukebox rotation of country music: from outlaws like Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow to chart-toppers Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton.
Moving back to Nashville after four years at Ole Miss, Watkins’ unyielding, turn on a dime lyricism quickly caught the attention of GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Nicolle Galyon, who signed her to publishing and recording contracts with Songs & Daughters / Big Loud Records almost instantly and her two EP's, released in 2023, ably set the scene and provided the foundations for what is her slick, intelligent and wonderfully retro-melodic debut album. Honing in on a sound that's both reverent of the genre's roots and in lockstep with where it's headed next, ‘The Heartbroken Record' will establish Watkins as a major contender amongst a crowded market of artists all vying to solidify themselves as the next generation of Country superstars.
‘The Heartbroken Record' is a heartfelt exploration of love and loss, weaving a tapestry of emotions through its 16 tracks. Following the style and themes of her earlier EPs, Watkins continues to channel a smooth, slightly retro country vibe reminiscent of early Kacey Musgraves. The album’s opener, ‘Leavers Leave,' sets the tone with its lilting chorus about the inevitable end of relationships. Watkins’ poignant lyrics, “don’t hold onto me…cos leavers they leave,” capture the essence of accepting the transience of love, laying the groundwork for the heartache journey ahead.
‘Mama, I Made It' offers a refreshing twist on the typical post-breakup return home. With its jaunty, breezy melody, Watkins candidly admits to her own role in the relationship’s demise. Lyrics like “I probably should have called you first, mama… I pushed a grown man to his limits” reveal a self-awareness that is both clever and endearing. This track, wrapped in a catchy country ditty, showcases Watkins’ ability to blend humor with heartbreak, making it a standout in the album’s narrative.
The collaborative effort on ‘Heartbroken Record,' written with her husband, Will Bundy, and sister, Caroline, results in a deeply reflective piece about human failings and loneliness. Watkins compares herself to a “45 all scratched up,” waiting in vain for a call from her ex. The gentle melodies and retro-tinged chorus evoke a sense of melancholy, perfectly encapsulating the album’s theme of love lost and the lingering pain that follows.
In ‘Sad Songs and You,' Watkins delves into a western-tinged waltz that could easily belong to the 50s or 70s. The track's delightful retro melody pairs beautifully with lyrics that lament over “the two things that she only ever listens to – sad songs and you.” The song is a poignant reminder of how heartbreak can tie us to certain memories and emotions, making it a relatable and nostalgic addition to the album.
‘Set My Heart On Fire,' featuring the legendary Sheryl Crow, shifts the tempo with an uptempo pop/country/rock blend. Reminiscent of Crow’s own style from her ‘Tuesday Night Music Club' album, this track is a toe-tapping, catchy song with brilliant harmonies and driving drums. It’s a refreshing break from the slower, more introspective songs, yet still fits seamlessly into the album’s overarching theme of heartache and resilience.
Watkins' The Heartbroken Record' is a masterclass in storytelling, with each track a vivid snapshot of love’s highs and lows. From the commercial appeal of ‘Stuck in My Ways' to the Dolly Parton-esque romp on ‘Gatlinburg,' the album covers a wide emotional spectrum while maintaining a cohesive sound. Tracks like ‘Anybody But You' and ‘Settling Things' further explore themes of moving on and the small-town experience, while ‘Fly on the Wall' and ‘Shirley Temple' showcase Watkins’ knack for creating relatable, deeply personal songs.
Wrapping up the album with ‘Too Much To Dream,' (one of two songs co-written with Nicole Galyon) Watkins leaves listeners with a sense of closure and hope, suggesting that despite the heartache, there is always room for healing and new beginnings. The song, like many of the tracks on the album, weaves a hazy, dreamy spell upon the listener. There’s an almost Disney-esque showtune quality to this ballad as Watkins sings about having ‘too much to dream last night,’ as she muses on her life and the man who was in it but isn’t now. It's a fitting end to a heartbreaking journey through the vagaries of life and the differing human experiences of love.
For a woman just celebrating the early days of marriage, ‘The Heartbroken Record' feels like a cleansing of some tumultuous past experiences! Standout tracks that could establish a real legacy for Watkins include ‘Gatlinburg,' with its Bluegrass-leaning sense of uplifting joy and ‘Pretend You're Coming Home,' (one of a number of tracks co-written with Ashley Monroe) which finds Watkins pretending to be waiting for her man to come home – both have massively catchy, singalong choruses and cleverly relatable lyrics.
From the ephemeral ‘Cowboys on Music Row' with it's stellar line up of writers to the ballsy ‘One Trick Pony,' ‘The Heartbroken Record' takes the listener on a journey through your turbulent twenties, riding the rollercoaster of finding, forging and failing at relationships. Sometimes the heartbreak is tragic, sometimes theres a sense of relief at having dodged a bullet but throughout there is a overwhelming feeling of resilience and a number of retro-tinged, singalong choruses that will put a smile on your face and a renewed vigour in your step if you are going through the same journey that is mirrored in these songs.
Overall, the album is a masterclass in country heartache, blending introspective lyrics with infectious melodies. It should provide Lauren Watkins with the foundations upon which to build a strong and successful career as her heart mends and she expands her writing talents into other areas of the human condition.
Tracklist: 1. Leavers Leave 2. Mama, I Made It 3. Heartbroken Record 4. Sad Songs About You 5. Set My Heart on Fire 6. Stuck in My Ways 7. Gatlinburg 8. Anybody But You 9. Settling Things 10. One Trick Pony 11. Fly on the Wall 12. Shirley Temple 13. Pretend You're Coming Home 14. Jealous of Jane 15. Cowboys on Music Row 16. Burn the Bridge 17. Too Much to Dream Record Label: Big Loud Release Date: June 21st Buy ‘The Heartbroken Record' right here
This article contains an affiliate link. Purchases through this link may result in us earning a commission.
