Raised in Huntington Beach, California, Faith Hopkins may have grown up closer to surfboards than steel guitars, but country music was always calling her name. Drawn to the genre’s storytelling and sincerity, she found inspiration in the honesty and heart that define its songs.
A pivotal trip to Nashville with her mother during high school sealed her fate. Captivated by the city’s energy and creative spirit, Hopkins chose to attend Belmont University, where she honed her songwriting craft and developed her voice as an artist. Her time in Nashville led to countless late-night writing sessions and performances at writers’ rounds, each one sharpening her ability to tell stories that resonate.
Her sound reflects a rich blend of influences — the empowering energy of Kelsea Ballerini and Sabrina Carpenter, the lyrical depth of Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles and the ethereal, introspective tone of Lennon Stella and Sasha Sloan. These threads come together in a pop-infused country style that’s uniquely her own: soulful, melodic and emotionally grounded.
Now signed to Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music, Hopkins is carving out her own lane in country music. With her new EP ‘Love and Insanity,' she continues to build on that foundation, offering a glimpse into the heart and mind of an artist whose voice feels both fresh and timeless. Faith Hopkins is a rising Nashville talent with a story — and a sound — worth listening to.
Faith Hopkins’ debut EP ‘Love and Insanity' is a confident, vibrant first statement from a young artist who already sounds like she knows exactly who she is. Hopkins blends coastal ease with country candour — a mix that feels both refreshing and instantly relatable. Across six songs, she charts the chaos of love, heartbreak and self-discovery with sharp lyrics, soulful vocals and a knack for melody that lingers long after the final track fades.
The EP opens with its title track, ‘Insanity,' a tender, introspective ballad that slowly builds into something anthemic. Over a looping banjo-like guitar figure, Hopkins admits to walking the fine line between love and emotional chaos: “Me on the floor crying in your favourite Tennessee sweatshirt,” she confesses, caught between heartbreak and hope. The song’s transformation — from quiet reflection to a full-bodied, arena-ready crescendo — mirrors its emotional journey, and Hopkins’ breathy, soulful tone cuts through the noise with clarity and conviction. It’s an opener that sets the tone: honest, melodic and deeply human.
‘Open Book' switches gears completely, showcasing Hopkins’ sass and fire. Built on a funky acoustic riff and buoyed by an irresistible rhythm, it’s a smart, biting breakup anthem that lands somewhere between early Kacey Musgraves and Megan Moroney. “God forbid I trusted you, you left me some trust issues,” she sings with a mix of bite and charm before delivering the knockout line, “I was an open book and you were illiterate.” It’s sharp, funny and defiant — a reminder that Hopkins can handle heartbreak with both humour and a hook.
On ‘Dodged a Bullet,' she turns inward again. The piano-driven ballad finds her wrestling with loss in the aftermath of a breakup everyone insists was for the best. “If I dodged a bullet then why is there a hole in my heart?” she asks, her voice swelling alongside the production as the song moves from quiet sorrow to a cathartic, full-band finale. It’s an emotional highlight — a moody, cinematic track that recalls Taylor Swift’s storytelling finesse.
‘Get Away with Murder' brings a poppier sheen to the project. Driven by crisp drums and a disco-infused beat, it glides with a breezy, Sabrina Carpenter-style confidence. “If looks could kill, boy, you could get away with murder,” Hopkins teases, balancing flirtation and frustration with effortless charm. The track’s slick, summery vibe provides a welcome breather amid the heavier emotional terrain — proof that Hopkins can pivot between genres without losing her voice or identity.
The introspective ‘Break It You Buy It' returns to a more acoustic, Folklore-inspired sound. Sparse guitars and soft percussion frame Hopkins’ raw, vulnerable lyrics as she unpacks betrayal with surgical precision. “You break it, you buy it — you don’t get to try it,” she warns, her California-meets-Nashville sensibility shining through. It’s a quietly powerful song that captures the exhaustion and clarity that come after heartbreak — and it’s one of the most mature moments on the record.
Closing track ‘Let Him Have It' explodes with defiance and attitude. A stomping, Western-tinged anthem in the spirit of Carrie Underwood, mixed with the very ‘on-trend' sonic style made popular by artists like Shaboozey and Dasha: it’s an empowering revenge fantasy that turns heartbreak into fuel. With its handclaps, fiddles and fiery wit (“When he comes home tonight, the door ain’t all that’s off the hinges”), it’s pure catharsis — the sound of an artist reclaiming her power. “I’ve always loved the fire in Miranda Lambert songs like ‘Mama’s Broken Heart,’ as well as the tongue-in-cheek humour in Sabrina Carpenter’s music.” says Hopkins of the track. “I wanted to capture both of those elements in ‘Let Him Have It,’” she continues, “This song is for anyone who gives the guy the boot (but keeps the dog).”
Taken as a whole, ‘Love and Insanity' is an impressive, multidimensional debut that shows Faith Hopkins is more than just another newcomer in the country-pop lane. She’s a writer with a sharp pen, a voice full of warmth and fire and a clear understanding of how to turn personal moments into universal stories. By blending Nashville honesty with a touch of California sunshine, she’s carved out a sound entirely her own — one that promises a bright future ahead.
Track list: 1. Insanity 2. Open Book 3. Dodged a Bullet 4. Get Away With Murder 5. Break it You Buy It 6. Let Him Have It Record Label: Play It Again Music Release Date: 10th October
