You know, whether you are a musician, a sportsperson, an actor or just plain old Mike from accounts, pressure can do funny things to people. You can either rise to the occasion & smash it out the park or crumple under the nerves and expectation. Lainey Wilson is bang in the middle of that type of pressure right now with new album, ‘Whirlwind.'
After a couple of exceptional years with her ‘Bell Bottom Country' album that has seen her sweep the boards at multiple award shows, including winning the coveted ‘Entertainer of the Year' award, Wilson has become everyone's go-to duet partner and the golden girl of Country music with her Dolly meets Skynyrd brand of southern Country. She can do no wrong. International tours, social media devotees and a whole brand of fashion which sees women the whole world over trying to look like her. That's pressure, right? ‘Whirlwind' is coming out right at the height of Wilson's powers – will she grasp that opportunity or fumble the ball? Well, one listen to new album, ‘Whirlwind' will leave you in no doubt that she's absolutely smashed it out of the park. Pressure has formed a diamond because ‘Whirlwind' is superior in almost every way to Wilson's much lauded previous album ‘Bell Bottom Country.'
What we have here, on only Lainey Wilson's third major label album, is a masterful blend of country storytelling, modern influences, and classic charm, showcasing Wilson's evolution as an artist while staying true to her roots. From the groovy, funky opener ‘Keep Up With Jones,' a drinking song which pays homage to country legend George Jones, to the disco-infused title track ‘Whirlwind,' Wilson demonstrates her versatility and willingness to experiment with different sounds. The album kicks off with infectious energy, setting the tone with ‘Keep Up With Jones,' a lively track that encapsulates the struggle of trying to keep pace with life's wild moments. ‘Country’s Cool Again' continues the momentum, re-energising a familiar tune with swagger and handclaps, embracing the mainstream resurgence of country music.
Wilson's collaboration with Miranda Lambert on ‘Good Horses' is a standout, offering a powerful message of empowerment with a laid-back Texas vibe, while ‘Broken Hearts Still Beat' is destined to be, not only an album highlight, but the central part of Wilson's shows in this next phase of her career. This soulful ballad is a showcase of Wilson’s vocal prowess, blending Muscle Shoals influences with poignant lyrics about resilience. Tracks like ‘Call a Cowboy' and ‘Hang Tight Honey' further demonstrate her ability to craft anthemic, radio-friendly hits, with the former serving as a tribute to the enduring strength of cowboys, and the latter as an upbeat ode to life on the road. ‘…..Cowboy' is another western sounding huge ballad that finds Lainey in full diva mode again as she pays tribute to the characteristics of cowboys. Hard working, respectful, strong and rock steady. ‘If there’s a door to be held or a wildflower to be picked…..call a cowboy,' Wilson sings as she guides the song skilfully towards a tremendous climax that really sees her stretching her vocals to the fullest extent possible.
If, like me, you think there could be a solid argument to say that ‘Those Boots (Deddy's Song)' was perhaps the most charming country song on previous album, ‘Bell Bottom Country' then Lainey has come through again for you on ‘Whirlwind' with ‘Counting Chickens.' This is a sweet, rural love song that could easily become a sleeper hit. It's one of six co-writes with Wilson's long-term collaborator Trannie Anderson that you'll find on the album and a song that just hits you right in the feels and puts a great big smile on your face too.
The album takes a nostalgic turn with ‘Bar in Baton Rouge,' a second drinking song that pairs catchy melodies with a story of longing and misplaced love in the wrong kind of mountains – these ones being the ones on the front of a can of Coors beer!
Elsewhere, other tracks like ‘4X4xU' and ‘Ring Finger' show Wilson's signature blend of sass and empowerment, with the latter being a raucous, dirty 70s-leaning song about a near-miss with a cheating guy and the second song about middle fingers that Wilson now has in her repertoire! She rounds out the album with a run of tender, introspective tracks like ‘Middle of it' and ‘Devil Don’t Go There,' both of which showcase Wilson's ability to write universally relatable songs about resilience and strength, letting the music take second place to her engaging lyrics and the simple yet effective melodies that her and her teams of writers have been able to construct in the sessions for this album. ‘Middle of It,' in particular, shines. It's a tender, restrained song similar in style to ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ that finds Lainey singing about life, resilience and having the strength to carry on. “Knee deep in the weeds you can only see just a little of it,” she sings with Dolly Parton-esque wisdom in full ‘big sister' mode.
The closing track, ‘Whiskey Colored Crayon,' is another example of where Wilson has evolved on this third album. It is a poignant tale of a family’s struggle with alcohol, ending on a hopeful note with a bait-and-switch that delivers a satisfying resolution. Playing with some classic ‘Whiskey Lullaby' vibes and writing a song in the third person isn't something Wilson has done a great deal of in her career to date, but when she does? It's a home run, just like all the other songs on this clever, intelligent, restrained yet powerful album.
‘Whirlwind' is a tour de force from Lainey Wilson, a record that blends her country roots with modern flair and classic sensibilities, offering a rich and varied listening experience that will resonate with fans old and new. If there were any doubts about Lainey Wilson's ability, both as a writer and as a vocalist, ‘Whirlwind' dispels them all with a nonchalant wave of its hand and a withering look. Nowhere is that evolution more in evidence than on the title track – who would have thought that what we needed in 2024 was a wonderful mix of ‘Wildflowers and Wild Horses' smashed against an 80s disco vibe, but by god, it works! Pressure? What pressure? What we have here, folks, is a bonafide diamond.
Tracklist: 1. Keep Up With Jones 2. Country's Cool Again 3. Good Horses 4. Broken Hearts Still Beat 5. Whirlwind 6. Call a Cowboy 7. Hang Tight Honey 8. Bar in Baton Rouge 9. Counting Chickens 10. 4X4XU 11. Ring Finger 12. Middle of It 13. Devil Don't Go There 14. Whiskey Colored Crayon Release Date: August 23rd Record Label: BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville Buy ‘Whirlwind' right here
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