HomeEF CountryReview: Meghan Patrick's new album 'Golden Child' is a powerful listen

Review: Meghan Patrick’s new album ‘Golden Child’ is a powerful listen

Since her breakout with 2016’s multi-award-winning ‘Grace & Grit,' Meghan Patrick has captivated audiences with her raw, unfiltered storytelling. Known for her unapologetic honesty, the Nashville-based artist delivers music that deeply resonates with listeners, leaving them feeling seen and understood. With a string of accolades, including back-to-back CCMA Female Artist of the Year awards and multiple CMAOntario Awards, Patrick has cemented her place as a powerhouse in the country music scene.

Born and raised in rural Ontario, Patrick's musical journey is as diverse as it is impressive. She began by co-founding an all-girl band at just 13, went on to study opera and jazz, fronted a 10-piece funk band that opened for Aretha Franklin, and toured with a bluegrass group. Her rich musical background shines through in her expansive sound, which blends high-energy country with influences beyond the genre’s traditional boundaries.

Her last project, ‘The Greatest Show On Dirt,' was a testament to her versatility and evolution as an artist. Spanning six tracks, the EP showcases Patrick's ability to weave deeply personal stories into an energetic and dynamic soundscape. Her signature powerful vocals, which have graced stages alongside legends like Dwight Yoakam and contemporary stars like Keith Urban, Old Dominion, Kip Moore, and Brothers Osborne, take centre stage, blending boldness, humour, and emotional depth.

With her fearless approach and colourful originality, Meghan Patrick continues to push the boundaries of country music on new album ‘Golden Child.' If you thought ‘The Greatest Show on Dirt' was Patrick at her most vulnerable and outspoken you need to strap in tight, because this 18 track rollercoaster is going to take you for a wild ride!

‘Golden Child' is a bold and unapologetic exploration of raw emotions and personal growth, anchored by Patrick's signature gravelly vocals and captivating storytelling. From the very first track, ‘Blood from a Stone,' Patrick sets the tone with a hauntingly honest reflection on the emotional weight of family expectations. The song paints a scathing portrait of her mother and the lasting pain she’s carried from childhood, backed by dreamy instrumentation and a steady beat that mirrors the somber yet courageous theme. This track establishes the deeply personal nature of the album and lays the foundation for the journey ahead.

On ‘Whether You Love Me Or Not,' Patrick’s resilience shines as she confronts self-doubt and celebrates self-love. The song’s slow start transitions into an empowering chorus where she boldly declares, “I’m gonna love me whether you love me or not,” directed at the girl in the mirror. The juxtaposition of pounding drums and haunting electric guitars highlights Patrick’s vocal prowess and the strength of her songwriting, making it one of the standout anthems of the album. It's a message of empowerment that resonates on a universal level, and it showcases her ability to blend introspective lyrics with a powerful sound.

Tracks like ‘The Boy Who Cried Drunk' and ‘Other People' delve into the complexities of difficult relationships, each offering a vivid narrative of love, disappointment, and eventual self-realisation. In the former Patrick sings of a tumultuous relationship with an alcoholic, punctuated by powerful melodies and steady drums. Meanwhile, ‘Other People' takes a more balanced approach, reflecting on the mutual flaws in a relationship that’s reached its end. Both songs are drenched in emotional vulnerability, and Patrick’s gruff, evocative vocals add depth to the richly layered instrumentation of fiddles and guitars, capturing the bittersweetness of moving on.

The midsection of the album highlights Patrick’s knack for fusing country storytelling with rock influences. ‘What Shoulder' and ‘Every Dog' are prime examples, with their bombastic choruses and southern-tinged melodies reminiscent of Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton. ‘Every Dog' in particular stands out with its clever lyricism—“Brand new girl, same old hound”—and funky guitar solo that nods to classic country influences while keeping the sound fresh and modern. These tracks serve as a reminder of Patrick’s versatility, as she seamlessly transitions between introspective ballads and high-energy country-rock anthems.

By the time ‘Golden Child' reaches its final third Meghan Patrick has taken us on quite a journey. ‘Iron Man,' co-written with Natalie Hemby, weaves a hypnotic spell as she sings about all the things she's taken from her relationship with her father. ‘He’s the reason I can when I think I can’t,' she declares. ‘Dying Alone' segues into something akin to a western, wild west TV show vibe, part Dolly, part Miranda Lambert and ‘God and a Good Man,' one of a couple of songs co-written with Lainey Wilson's main collaborator, Trannie Anderson, finds Patrick paying tribute to the two men in the title of the song that changed her for the better. Throughout it all, Patrick manages to meld meaning with melody in a way that only the most perceptive and talented writers can do as we arrive at final track ‘This Town.'

‘This Town,' sees Patrick leaving listeners with a raw and intimate farewell, singing of her love-hate relationship with Nashville. It's a stripped-back acoustic song that feels intensely personal, offering a fitting conclusion to an album rooted in vulnerability and self-reflection. T

Throughout the album, Meghan Patrick delivers an unfiltered, emotional journey that touches on everything from family trauma to toxic relationships, all while maintaining a keen sense of hope and resilience. She's poured all her years of grind, determination and resilience into many of the songs on offer here, pleading with the listener to learn from her mistakes. Part big sister, part guidance councillor, part self-help manual, ‘Golden Child' is a testament to Patrick’s growth both as an artist and a storyteller, merging meaning with melody in a way that leaves a lasting impact on an album of depth and delight.

Meghan Patrick
Credit: Riser House Records

Tracklist: 1. Blood From a Stone 2. Whether You Love Me or Not 3. The Boy Who Cried Drunk 4. Other People 5. What Shoulder 6. Every Dog 7. Good Tastin' Whiskey 8. Other Side of 25 9. Stoned Again 10. Golden Child 11. Why I Couldn't Cry 12. Iron Man 13. Dying Alone 14. Letting Go of You 15. God and a Good Man 16. The Sweet Spot 17. Just a Girl 18. This Town Release Date: 11th October Record Label: Riser House Records Buy ‘Golden Child' right here.


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Since her breakout with 2016’s multi-award-winning 'Grace & Grit,' Meghan Patrick has captivated audiences with her raw, unfiltered storytelling. Known for her unapologetic honesty, the Nashville-based artist delivers music that deeply resonates with listeners, leaving them feeling seen and understood. With a string of...Review: Meghan Patrick's new album 'Golden Child' is a powerful listen