BY ORLA GULLA 

Friday 23^rd August 2024 marked the release of Lainey Wilson’s fifth studio album, ‘Whirlwind.’ I can think of many ways to describe Lainey as an artist but to put it simply, she really is fantastic. Two years after the release of ‘Bell Bottom Country’, we have been blessed with another phenomenal album. I wasn’t too sure what to expect with the release of ‘Whirlwind’ as I sometimes find Lainey Wilson’s music to be a bit too slow, but my gosh this album blew me away when listening for the first time. As Lainey is still quite a new artist, she has done so very well with hitting the country charts and rising to fame, and even having a song featured on the new Twisters film soundtrack titled ‘Out of Oklahoma’ and dueting with Post Malone on his first ever country album ‘F-1 Trillion’ with the beautiful and moving track ‘Nosedive.’ I think it is safe to say that Lainey Wilson has done very well so far and is only going to do better with the release of her latest album.

The opening track, ‘Keeping up with Jones’ sounds so authentically country and has the same similar undertones that her other songs do. It is upbeat and a great introduction into the ‘Whirlwind’. The album features many upbeat tracks such as the hit ‘Country’s Cool Again’ which took off in the charts earlier this year. I love it because she isn’t afraid to speak the truth and I find in most of her songs she is an empowering female figure. The country star goes on to sing about how she was ‘born in boots on humble ground’ and about how her ’roots don’t grow out’ to how now ‘everyone wants to be a cowboy’ and how she ‘can’t believe her eyes’ as country music is growing more and more across the world and attracting a bigger fan – base. I think I’ve noticed that especially through Lainey, more people are turning to country music, and she also recognises this through the lyrics of her songs (because country is cool again, literally!) 

Through the upbeat and slower songs on the album, I was really able to grasp a sense of how Lainey was feeling when composing these songs. The album is all about going through a rough time and getting through it, even when things seen impossible to move forward from. I think for a lot of fans, including myself, Lainey forms connections through her songs. I must admit, up until recently I wasn’t a massive fan of hers, and she wasn’t one of my top country artists to listen to. However, it wasn’t until I discovered ‘Heart Like a Truck’ from the 2022 album ‘Bell Bottom Country’ that I found a connection with her music on an emotional level and knew in times of hardship her music was there for me and all her fans. The title track ‘Whirlwind’ reveals the struggles she has faced through recent years and how she has worked to get through hard times. Again, through the track she reveals her vulnerability which not everyone can do – she really is an inspiring, head – strong role model for a lot of people because of this. Along with the ground – breaking hit ‘Hang Tight Honey’, ‘Counting Chickens’ and ‘Ring Finger’, Lainey Wilson again demonstrates her ability to belt out notes energetically and vibrantly, whilst also being able to fluctuate between notes. Like the album ‘Bell Bottom Country’, this one definitely showcases her outstanding vocal abilities. 

I love how Lainey sings about her roots throughout the album and gets personal – evident through her powerful storytelling in tracks such as ‘Middle of It.’ The songs on the album really gave me an insight into her life growing up and it is incredible to witness where she is now and how hard she has worked to get there. Her collaboration with Miranda Lambert, ‘Good Horses’ is very western sounding with meaningful lyrics and there are great harmonies throughout. There is a good mix of slow and upbeat songs on the album, and I like some of the slower ones as they really help to craft a picture of her life and struggles growing up. I enjoyed listening to ‘Bar in Baton Rouge’ as it was a bit more rock n roll and meaningful, again proving how she can fluctuate her voice and singing styles. I really enjoy the use of banjos in her music, especially in tracks such as ‘Devil Don’t Go There’ as it helps to create a story and set the scene through what she is singing about. It also sounds authentic to her roots and adds a nice rhythm to her more poignant songs. The album ends with ‘Whiskey Colored Crayon’ which is a slower, more personal track as it explores her family’s struggle with alcohol. 

All in all, I think ‘Whirlwind’ is an exceptional album, and in my opinion one of the best country releases of the year so far. Hats off to Lainey for opening up and singing about personal struggles, and for not being afraid to stand her ground. For many, she is a very inspiring woman, and I can’t wait for what she has in store for her us next. (I hope it involves a trip to the UK as I had to miss her show this year!).