Priscilla Block recently concluded her headlining ‘Hey Jack' tour, performing to sold-out audiences across North America. Her captivating live performances have also taken her overseas to the C2C Music Festival here in the United Kingdom and CMC Rocks in Australia.
Recognised as an “Artist to Watch” by various media outlets, including Amazon Music, American Songwriter, PANDORA, Spotify, CMT, The Boot, MusicRow, HITS, Country Now, and Music Mayhem, Block has quickly become one of Nashville's celebrated truth-tellers, resonating deeply with her generation on uptempo bangers like ‘Thick Thighs' and ‘Fake Names' and deeply cutting and emotional tracks like ‘Like a Boy' and ‘Good On You.'
With her ‘Welcome to the Block Party' era beginning to recede and the next phase of her career dawning, Priscilla Block has taken the decision to release a sequel to her self titled EP of 2021 in ‘PB2.' With only 5 songs on the EP, it's a short, 15 minute tease of the music to come but it's a strong tease, with Block digging into what she does best, exploring the foibles and failings of both men and women alike. This willingness to explore female failings is what sets her apart from fellow artists like Carly Pearce and Carrie Underwood, who tend to stick to the ‘men are the bad guy' narrative fairly exclusively. In Block's songs, both men and women make bad decisions which is a refreshing stance to take and something that works really well for her.
Commenting on the new songs, Block explains, “It's been a while leading up to this next era for me and I'm so excited it's finally here. I wanted to drop three songs that showcase three different sides of me as an artist. ‘Apartment’ is my vulnerable, heart-on-my-sleeve side. ‘Bad Guy’ is the sassy anthem that I want to dance to all night long in a club. ‘Hell Out of a Hometown’ is the country girl inside of me that's always evolving. This is the start of an ongoing story so make sure y'all pay close attention. Here's to PB2!”
And she's bang on the nose there. For me, there are three facets to Priscilla Block. The good time, uptempo party banger girl, the mid-tempo, Lady A-adjacent moody, chugging guitars and drama side and then there is the balladeer with her heart on her sleeves and ‘PB2', whilst maybe not capturing the ‘Fake Names'-esque heights of the first of those descriptions, has lashings of what makes Priscilla Block a unique and exciting artist all over the five songs on offer.
The opening track, ‘Good On You' sets the tone with its mid-tempo rhythm and chugging guitars. This song, a teaser for the new music, delves into the aftermath of a toxic relationship, highlighting Block's recovery and newfound confidence. The anthemic chorus, where she belts out, “it’s plain Jane to see she looks good on you,” captures a powerful sense of liberation, making it a fist-pumping anthem for anyone who has overcome a difficult breakup.
‘Hell Out of a Hometown' continues the atmospheric, moody vibes with pop-country guitars reminiscent of Lady A. Block's vocals, particularly in the first verse, echo Hillary Scott's style as she laments the destructive impact of a past relationship. Lines like “Can’t go to the church on Sunday morning because all I see is wildfire and brimstone” underscore the way memories can taint familiar places. Despite its melancholic theme, the song is catchy and commercial, turning a common country trope into an engaging musical experience.
The EP's standout track, ‘Bad Guy,' is a lively, uptempo number that invites listeners to dance and sing along. Block challenges the typical narrative of the “man as the bad guy,” instead embracing the idea that “sometimes the girl is the bad guy.” With driving drums and electric guitars, this track is an anthemic, toe-tapping banger that resonates with both men and women. It highlights Block's unique selling point: portraying women as equally fallible and complex in relationships.
Closing out the EP are ‘Hey Jack' and ‘Apartment,' each offering a distinct perspective on post-relationship blues. ‘Hey Jack' is a classic drinking song with a nod to Jack Daniels, complete with Block's powerful vocals and a big, anthemic chorus. In contrast, ‘Apartment' stands out as the EP's most mature and introspective track. With simple acoustic guitars and tender lyrics, Block reflects on loneliness and regret. Using clever wordplay around the words ‘apartment and ‘apart meant,' this ballad hints at the depth and promise of her future work, showcasing Priscilla Block's continued growth as an artist.
‘PB2' is a testament to Priscilla Block's ability to blend emotional authenticity with catchy, commercial appeal. Block highlights all three facets of her musical personality really well on this EP and has produced another fine addition to her growing body of work in a way that will satisfy fans but, at just 15 minutes in length, will also leave them wanting more. Onwards and upwards she goes, there's no stopping Hurricane Hayley.
Tracklist: 1. Good on You 2. Hell of a Hometown 3. Bad Guy 4. Hey Jack 5. Apartment Release Date: June 21st Record Label: Mercury Nashville Buy ‘PB2' right here
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