ALBUM REVIEW - CARLY PEARCE - 29: WRITTEN IN STONE
Tomorrow (Friday 17th September) will see US singer-songwriter, Carly Pearce release a new collection of songs making up 29: Written In Stone.
29: Written In Stone is made up of 15 tracks. Carly also had many co-writers on the songs.
Album Cover Courtesy of Big Machine Records
Diamondback has a darker sounding sassy instrumental which supports Carly's darker sounding vocals allowing for the listeners to hear another side of who Carly is as an artist. The lyrics have this dark sentiment that I have to admit I enjoy hearing especially thanks to the honesty of being let down. The chorus is definitely the more sassy part of Diamondback as it sees the part of the song where we say 'sod you'! The attitude is wonderfully timed as it supports the no chance of going back vibe. The second verse continues Diamondback with the journey developing to another stage that makes for wonderful listening with the attitude coming out. The more, I hear the chorus of Diamondback the more you hear about a relationship that has turned sour with no going back.
What He Didn’t Do starts with a guitar instrumental which I have to say for me is the perfect start to Carly Pearce song. The first verse sees Carly's softer vocal at the forefront that compliments the lyrics and the story wonderfully. There are also many moments that take you on a journey as well as getting you thinking. The chorus features many moments that allow you to have your own interruption of the lyrics these are the kind of songs, I enjoy and appreciate a lot. The honesty is something I wasn't expecting but it makes the song complete. The second verse continues What He Didn't Do with the part of the song that sees you moving on, but you are stronger than you realise allowing for a stronger vocal from Carly that I wasn't expecting. The instrumental break up in the middle added another layer to the song which sees Carly crisp vocal return to end the song with the chorus. The final chorus sees Carly's bring What He Didn't Do full circle.
Easy Going has an electric guitar instrumental to open the song. The first verse sees Carly's crisp vocal at the forefront allowing for Carly to open the song with fun loving lyrics that allows the listeners into her storytelling. Easy Going features many fun loving relationship vibes however, the hard times are shown with East Going too allowing for the 'easy go lucky' kind of attitude to shine through. The lyrics seem to be written based on life experiences. From the second verse you hear this story of life and about how things can change and quickly especially in a relationship - we don't always want to do what we should, but that's how we learn. The electric instrumental solo in the middle and at the end of Easy Going is one that I love and think is wonderfully timed every time. Easy Going has a proper country feel as the song develops which also saw me more appreciating the lyrics and the journey they take.
Dear Miss Loretta (featuring Patty Loveless) has a quirky instrumental to begin. The first verse sees Carly pay tribute to one of her inspirations in this incredibly written song that I have to say has left me feeling inspired. There is something so special about this song that has me feeling emotional. The chorus features many heartfelt lyrics that you can hear Carly means very single word that she is singing. A letter to country music legend, Loretta Lynn should be very proud of - it's so precious.
I have to say from the second verse onwards every single lyric that is sung by Carly and Patty is just beautiful allowing for many wow, goosebump moments the more I hear the song grow and develop. The instrumental break up is so special with the older country feel. I adore the way that Patty Loveless inputs throughout the song - makes me emotional. Carly's softer vocal is everything and I love how in the final verse you can hear her relating the lyrics back to her own life. You can hear how much in awe of Loretta Lynn, Carly is.
Next Girl starts with an upbeat guitar instrumental that I have to say I love as it made me want to get up and dance instantly - a proper 90's feel country song. The first verse sees Carly's soft vocal at the forefront with her fantastic soulful tone which allows the lyrics to shine through. The storytelling within Next Girl is something I am loving even more as the song continues. The chorus features some warning lyrics for the Next Girl which are hard-hitting, and have a vulnerability to them which I just loved hearing as you can read Carly wrote the song based on her personal experience. The second verse of Next Girl continues with more sassy lyrics that you can hear a lot of vulnerability in Carly's vocal tone as the song continues about the slow talking man in the world. The more I hear the chrous the more I want to sing along also it connects to every single verse wonderfully. The bridge features the most captivating lyrics that get you thinking before heading into the final chorus, the perfect move for this song. I love the sassiness from Carly, and the female empowerment is just incredible!
Should've Known Better has a soft, sentimental sounding instrumental to start which gives a real sense of vulnerability before the song has even started. The first verse sees Carly's sentimental vocal at the forefront as the song started with Carly bringing up parts of her childhood as you looked back on her previous relationships, and wishing that she would have known better, but I like how Carly isn't afraid to show a rawness within this song. There is something so magical about Carly's vocals that have me hooked right throughout as the song develops and the vulnerability of Should've Known Better as the song changes in a way that makes for a wonderful song based on change. The chorus features some of the most gorgeous lyrics of whilst also managing to showcase this vulnerability in a little more upbeat tempo. The second verse continues Should've Known Better with the message of the song wonderfully whilst, also connecting it to and from the chorus beautifully. The more I heard the chorus the more I catch myself singing along, but with the instrumental break down ahead of the final verse it gives the song another dynamic. The final verse sees Carly's softer vocal tone return as she lays her heart down, showing even more vulnerability. As Should've Known Better goes into it's final verse signifying a beautiful growth from start to finish.
29 has a guitar instrumental starting the song off with the acoustic kind of feel which in all honest is heart warming. The first verse sees Carly's softer yet soulful vocal range at the forefront which sees her opening up about how she feels about her life, and how you are supposed to start/ stop doing certain things in our lives, but this song definitely teaches us that everyone is different which is absolutely fine.
The chorus of 29 features some incredibly poignant lyrics about Carly's life, and you know what it was amazing to hear them in a song as you realise how much Carly has been through making her a much better, and stronger person, as well as an artist. The second verse that continues 29 is the one that had me feeling very single emotion as I realised I am not far from turning 29, and that I am no-where near where I thought I would be! The chorus blends all the verses together beautifully, giving you a clear picture during this masterpiece. The bridge of 29 features some incredibly emotional lyrics that blend well into the final chorus of 29 which ends with Carly's softer vocal being demonstrated once again, as well as her soulful vocals.
Never Wanted To Be That Girl (featuring Ashley McBryde) starts with a crisp upbeat instrumental which is supported by a crisp vocal with a different kind of feel to the other songs featured on this album. Never Wanted To Be That Girl allows for a real sense of never wanting to be the girl to do something/ following the crowds - allowing the attention to detail to be shown. The honesty within the storytelling sees a lot of vulnerability shown that I got a little emotional over as I was listening. The journey is wonderful and as the chorus comes in you can hear so much of the 'I never wanna be that person in that situation' moments which makes the song even more special. The upbeat instrumental supports the lyrics and Ashley/ Carly's vocal tones throughout making it the most wonderfully duet. The bridge allows for the soft yet vulnerability side to come across.
Your Drinkin’, My Problem has an upbeat guitar instrumental allowing for this sassy feel from Carly's vocals that I loved hearing. The lyrics of Your Drinkin', My Problem are ones that are catchy, whilst also telling a story allowing for a wonderful break up for 29: Written In Stone which you've gotta love for a bit of fun as it's uptempo. The chorus is wonderfully with a little insight whilst also allowing for the fun side to come through also allowing for the emotion to remain. The second verse sees another side of the situation bought to life. The songwriting is beautifully perfect. You can hear two sides to the lyrics leaving you with many questions. However, the softer tone ahead of the final chorus is wonderfully timed. As Your Drinkin', My Problem ends, I caught myself relating with many of it's lyrics.
Liability has a more upbeat feel with the drums, and guitar instantly having me hooked, and already so invested in the song. The first verse see Carly's upbeat vocal range at the forefront, whilst also showing the sassy side. The chorus of Liability is full of uplifting lyrics that bring the verses together fantastically. The second verse continues the storytelling is the most gorgeous way, which is also still fun giving the song so much life. The instrumental breakdown after the second verse showcases Carly's softer vocal range which is amazing, as it leads into the final chorus ending the song in the most beautiful way.
Messy has a guitar instrumental which sets the song up wonderfully alongside Carly's softer vocal at the forefront on the first verse. The first verse features lyrics that are of a heartfelt nature which allowed me personally, to get a real insight to the song, whilst also being able to picture many of people being able to listen to the song in the way I did. The instant regret of certain things you did when you are struggling or in a certain situation. The chorus has some the most amazing lyrics that really got me thinking, and I have a feeling they will with a lot of other people too. The heartfelt chorus was not what I expected to hear as the song continued, but it changed my concept of the song, and I adored that people Carly is one artist who can get you feeling it's going one way but actually takes it another. The second verse continues Messy with this real sense regret about the night before/ the situation that caused the messiness. The final verse of Messy is made of a few lines which sees Carly's softer vocal once again to shine as it heads into the final chorus of the song.
Show Me Around has a beautiful soulful guitar instrumental to start which opens the song up wonderfully with it soft and slow tempo. The first verse sees Carly's soft, and heartfelt vocals at the forefront as she sings with so much emotion and connection to the lyrics it makes beautiful listening with the lyrics being questions we wish we knew the answer to about our beloved loved ones. The chorus of Show Me Around features some wonderfully emotional lyrics that I couldn't help but feel myself getting contacted too, thinking about a loved one I lost in 2019. The message within the lyrics is beautiful and I have that Carly has decided to share and release this song with her fans as it's something many people will be able to relate too! The second verse continues Show Me Around wonderfully with its heartfelt lyrics still at the forefront with the journey being one of wonder and feeling like that person is with you despite the sad reality of them being gone but hoping that one day we will see them again. The chorus blended perfectly from this verse making me extremely emotional. Carly's vocals became a little more powerful allowing the heartfelt vocals shine. The bridge of Show Me Around had the most heartfelt lyrics being sung once again in a such softer and heartfelt vocal delivery which I just adored listening too. The final chorus of Show Me Around is of a much softer and showed this incredible vulnerability in Carly that amazed me, and the strength within this song makes for an incredible song.
Day One starts with a much more upbeat instrumental which had me feeling very happy from the moment the very first note kicked in. The first verse sees Carly's soulful vocal at the forefront of the song allowing the storytelling to go either way, with the powerful sass from Carly throughout. I love how the fact that her closeness she has with her friends is the mean part of this verse, as Carly is allowing another extremely personal side come through. The timeline within the song is something that is very cleverly done, as it allows us many opportunities to connect with the song in out own ways. The chorus features beautiful lyrics that I couldn't help but find myself seeing along too, thanks to there catchiness. The second verse continues Day One wonderfully with the message within the song becoming a little more clear, as it's a wonderful journey for the songs development as it allows you to go on this ride with, Carly. The drum break up in the middle of Day One was amazing as t saw Carly's softer vocal range return for the bridge which sees the chorus repeated to end Day One in the most beautiful way.
All The Whiskey In The World has quirky instrumental which supports Carly's softer vocal really well on the very first verse allowing for the song vulnerability to be shown. The attention to detail within the first verse is just beautiful, and how the emotions are at the forefront is rather clever. The chorus sees even more vulnerability shown adding another layer to the song. The emotional lyrics get you listening to very single lyric closely. The second verse continues All The Whiskey In The World thanks to the journey within the song being one that takes the listeners on a journey that shows everyone what a brilliant songwriter, Carly is! The softer tone on the final verse is everything - perfectly timed especially as it heads into the final chorus.
Mean It This Time has a more upbeat instrumental which I have to say for the final song of 29: Written In Stone has been wonderfully selected. The first verse sees Carly's crisp vocal at the forefront which allows for the songwriting to be bought to life with a little emotion that I enjoy hearing as a listener. The way that the soft vocal joins Carly's crisp vocal is wonderful and sees once again another side of who she is as a songwriter that at times, I had to say moved me. The lyrics in the chorus are wonderful and perfectly chosen. The way that Mean It This Time are so special, and with so much honesty thanks to the fact that it can be heard to be based on a real life situation. In the final verse of Mean It This Time sees the perfect mix of joy, and upbeat which many listeners are going to enjoy hearing.
Pre-Order 29: Written In Stone here.
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