DEBUT ALBUM REVIEW - LAINEY WILSON - SAYIN' WHAT I'M THINKIN'

This Friday (19th February) will see US singer-songwriter, Lainey Wilson release her debut album, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'.

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' is made up of 12 songs all written by Lainey with many talented co-writers.

Photo Credit: Alex Berger

Neon Diamonds has a very quirky instrumental that features drums, and an electric guitar being the perfect sound to start this debut album from Lainey off with. The first verse sees Lainey's soft vocals at the forefront which allows the listeners to get a real sense for all that Lainey is about especially when the moment comes for Lainey's storytelling coming in. The chorus of Neon Diamonds features some beautifully written lyrics which hears Lainey talking about her future, and in a way something that she hopes for which for me makes a wonderful song - a proper country kind country vibes. The second verse of Neon Diamonds continues with Lainey's a little more upbeat allows which allows us listeners to hear a wider range of Lainey's vocals. The lyrics within this chorus as one of a pure and honesty kind which gives the song with chance to do up another notch which the fabulous song writing. The final verse of Neon Diamonds starts ahead with a slow and softer instrumental. As the final chorus of Neon Diamonds comes in, the more I get this real soft and sweet instrumental that I happen to just adore.

Sunday Best has an upbeat instrumental that starts the song wonderfully with her rockier vocals at the forefront which honestly is wonderful to hear. The first verse sees Lainey's crisp vocals kick in on Sunday Best as you can tell how passionate she is about every single word she is singing, allowing the listeners to hear another side of Lainey. The chorus features some of it's most catchy lyrics that got me really excited about the song as it progresses. The second verse of Sunday Best continues the meaning of the song beautifully as it shows a steadiness of growth for the artist, as well as the song. Listeners will discover another side of Lainey as she adds more and more vocal layers to the song that continue to amaze me. The final verse of Sunday Best sees Lainey's softer vocal range being demonstrated. The electric guitar instrumental to end the song was fabulous!

Things A Man Oughta Know starts with a softer instrumental compared to the previous tracks which has me rather intrigued. The first verse sees Lainey's sweeter vocals at the forefront telling a man about all the things that she as a woman can do, and it's one hell of a female empowerment single. I love how Lainey has turned the song on it's head by showing it from a woman's point of view instead of from the man's side like many others songs do. The chorus of Things A Man Oughta Know features allows Lainey to show off her vulnerability within her softer vocal range which allows for the listeners to hear another side of who she is as an artist which happens to be something that continues to amaze me about Lainey! The second verse continues with Lainey's soft vocal with it's captivating lyrics remaining at the forefront, but going into the final verse listeners get the opportunity to hear the happier vocal from Lainey that in my opinion ends the song fantastically.

Small Town Girl has Lainey's signature style instrumental that got me very excited about the single. The first verse sees Lainey's soft country vocal at the forefront of the single, as the lyrics feature some wonderfully heartfelt lyrics that allow the listeners to paint their own picture to go with the lyrics thinking about their home towns. The chorus of Small Town Girl has some of the catchiest lyrics of the whole album to this point, whilst Lainey reminds true to herself, and the artist she is! There is something so incredibly unique about Lainey, and her style that never fails to amaze me. The second verse of Small Town Girl is wonderful as the song progresses in the most natural yet, beautiful way. The chorus blends every single part of the song together beautifully. The instrumental break up ahead of the final verse brings Small Town Girl together fantastically - one song I am very excited to hear live, once gigs are back!

LA has a quirky instrumental to start which I have to say compliments the songs lyrics very well. The first verse sees Lainey's fun, and quirky vocal range at the forefront of the song with many a times her sassier, and softer vocal appears. The chorus of LA has some rather catchy, and upbeat lyrics which had me thinking about the sunshine, and summer whilst also having this sense fun, and party vibes. You get a real sense of who Lainey is as an artist within this song which is something I adore hearing. The second verse continues LA wonderfully with her magical lyrics, paying tribute to her home town roots. The instrumental break up especially with the electric guitar ahead of the final chorus which is a little softer - the perfect blend for the song.

Dirty Looks has a proper country sounding instrumental which will bring a smile to many of her listeners. The first verse sees Lainey's soft vocals at the forefront with her meaningful lyrics that you can't help but here a sentimental feel, and about something that Lainey herself has faced. The chorus leads perfectly from the first verse as it is the natural progression for the single featuring some incredibly sentimental meaning. However, for me personally as I was listening to take me back to a life in my life that I was getting 'Dirty Looks' and Lainey summed it up wonderfully as it allows everyone their own opinion. The second verse continues Dirty Looks with this real sense of honesty, and all of the feelings summed up as it heads into the chorus once again. The electric guitar instrumental is everything on this single. The final verse sees Lainey bringing the song full circle with it's lyrics being ones that many people will catch themselves being able to relate too. Dirty Looks ending with the chorus is perfectly timed!

Pipes starts with an electric guitar instrumental which opens the song up in a very Lainey way, and I just adore that. The first verse sees Lainey's crisp, rocky, soulful vocal range at the forefront with lyrics that match the song wonderfully. The chorus has some wonderful lyrics which is something that grips me as a fan of Lainey's. The lyrics, and it's instrumental are very Lainey draws me in quicker than I expected. The second verse continues Pipes with her softer sounding vocal range that sees Lainey continue to grow within the song, and its meaning of the song becoming established a little more. The chorus links every part of the song together beautifully. The final chorus of Pipes is perfectly as its in a much softer vocal range that amazed me.

Keeping Bars in Business has a very party kinda instrumental that breaks Lainey's debut album up in the most natural, and very Lainey kind of way with just Lainey and her guitar. The first verse sees Lainey's soft vocal range at the front of the single, which sees her passionate, and raw side of the lyrics meaning demonstrating another incredible side of the artist, Lainey is. The chorus Keeping Bars In Business has some of the most emotional lyrics within the album, and these lyrics are ones that had me getting emotional over as everything about the songs lyrics, I caught myself being able to relate too. I love the pure honesty of the everyday take on the lyrics from Lainey - incredible! The second verse continues Keeping Bars In Business beautifully as the story natural progresses with the look on everyday life, and the people around her on this day, it's everyday things put into song! The final verse of Keeping Bars In Business is taken down a little before heading into the final chorus ending the song wonderfully.

Straight Up Sideways has an electric guitar instrumental which is very Lainey, and something that I caught myself being drawn into. The first verse sees Lainey's softer, catchy vocal range at the forefront bringing in this real sense of upbeat country life, along with a sense of being honest with her listeners understanding that everyone is different, but equal is wonderful. The chorus has an upbeat vocal from Lainey that comes across wonderfully with the mix of catchy lyrics making it a proper dance track. The second verse is carried on wonderfully from the chorus with it's fabulous lyrics in turn allows for the song to continue in its most natural way. The final verse is one mixed with the final chorus that had me singing along at the top of my lungs - I am excited about hearing this song live too.

WWDD starts with a quirky electric guitar instrumental which I absolutely adore ahead of drums coming in. The first verse features Lainey's rockier vocals whilst getting the message across about a certain Country Music Queen that is Dolly Parton. The lyrics of WWDD are so catchy and honest that I caught myself singing along. There is something about Lainey's vocals in this part of the song particularly that makes me smile so much. The chorus of WWDD sees Lainey's fun and softer vocal range shine whilst singing about what would Dolly do? in such a beautiful way that a lot of country music lovers will relate too as most people are Dolly Parton fans. Lainey isn't afraid to say what she thinks making me realise even more what an incredible singer-songwriter, Lainey is. Ahead of the second verse there was a wonderful instrumental that was beautiful delivered ahead of the second verse. The second verse continues WWDD in a way that wonderfully beautiful which allows Lainey to show off her incredible songwriting and vocal range. The fact that WWDD ends with the chrous after the second verse is beautiful and allows the listeners to enjoy the song in the best possible way! The honesty which Lainey portrays throughout is something that amazes me, love artists like this! WWDD is such a credit to Dolly Parton.

Rolling Stone has a sweet guitar instrumental to start opening the song up wonderfully. The first verse sees Lainey's soulful vocals at the forefront of the song allowing the lyrics to stand out, and the meaning of the song to come across whilst allowing the listeners a pure opportunity to hear Lainey's wonderful vocal range. The chorus personally is my favourite part of the song that I have to admit got me feeling a little emotional, but the more the lyrics continue the more the listeners will get to make their own concept of the song, and it's lyrics. The lyrics are super catchy, making it wonderful listening. The second verse continues Rolling Stone wonderfully with the story progressing in the most wonderful light with the lyrics allowing you to make up your own mind on the single's lyrics - only a special kind of song-writer can do this. The fact that the chorus blends perfect to every single verse amazes me, especially as Lainey's vocal range becomes a little higher showing us listeners how fabulous her vocal ranges are! The bridge of Rolling Stone demonstrates Lainey's softer vocal range, before heading into the final chorus which sees her higher, but softer vocal range return to end the vocals which for me was the perfect move ahead of the instrumental ending the song.

Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' has a super country feel which instantly had me hooked. The guitar instrumental blended with Lainey's crispy vocal was the perfect mix. The first verse sees Lainey's crispy vocal range at the forefront of the song allowing the lyrics to come through beautifully with her storytelling shining through at the same time. There is something so relatable within Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' that I adore as the emotions heading into the chorus make so some sentimental listening. The chorus features blends fantastically from the verses demonstrating growth of who Lainey has come as an artist throughout this, her debut album. Lainey is one singer who wears her heart on her sleeve regardless of any situation. The second verse continues Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' wonderfully with the sentimental, and heart warming lyrics at the forefront which really gets you thinking. Everything about this song makes for incredible listening, and showed me the real reason once again, why I love Country Music thanks to the instrumental that ended the song.

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