ALBUM REVIEW - RAELYNN - BAYTOWN

Today (Friday 24th September) will see US singer-songwriter, Raelynn release her brand new full studio album version of Baytown.
Baytown is made up of 14 songs.

Artwork Credit: Courtesy of Round Here Records

Keep Up starts with a fun, quirky and fun instrumental which I just adore. The first verse is so fun and this is the one thing about this song that I love the most having heard it live last year at C2C and my god there is something about this song. I love that Raelynn isn't afraid to write about her feelings especially when it comes to issues like this and having that it's ok for us ladies to be a little rowdy with the fellas if we need too. The chorus of Keep Up is one that is perfect for a road trip and the catchiness of the lyrics is something that makes me wanna get up and dance instantly - this is the perfect country girl anthem! Raelynn this song is perfection. The second verse continues Keep Up wonderfully with the fun element within the song the catchiness of the song is still there and one that a lot of people will be singing along with for sure. I love the Keep Up sequence in the middle of the song as it adds so much more dynamic to the song which I just love. The bridge features some of the funnier lyrics before heading into the chorus for the final time that had me singing along.

Still Smokin' starts with a slow, and soft piano instrumental which I have to say brings the song in so beautifully. The first verse sees Raelynn's upbeat country vocal shine through with her incredibly beautiful written lyrics. The chorus features some wonderfully upbeat, fun lyrics which compliment Raelynn's most upbeat vocal tone which is just fantastic to hear. Still Smokin' is one song that is perfect for a summer road trip. The lyrics throughout this part of the song are just beautiful, and bring the songs verses together so beautifully. The second verse sees Still Smokin' continues with some wonderful lyrics which continue to compliment Raelynn's vocal range. I love hearing how much fun Raelynn is having with this song, especially as I was singing along with the chorus the second time I heard it! The instrumental break down in the middle of the song is just fabulous as it gives the most beautiful break ahead of the final chorus of Still Smokin' which was the perfect ending.

Fake Girl Town starts with darker sounding piano instrumental which I have to admit I like a lot especially as it's a very different kind of feel for Raelynn. The first verse sees Raelynn's slower but vulnerable vocal at the forefront of Fake Girl Town which for me personally at the moment is something I am liking from many singer/ songwriter as the vulnerability they are feeling resonates with many of us listeners. The chorus features some incredibly honest, and raw emotional lines that I caught myself many times being able to relate too. Fake Girl Town is one song that I am glad Raelynn isn't afraid to show her vulnerability on. The second verse continues Fake Girl Town wonderfully as the lyrics are ones which will resonate with many of the young listeners when it comes to make-up, and not being sure how to be confident in their own skin but, I love that this part of Fake Girl Town  is telling people that's its ok. The instrumental break down in the middle of the song complimented by Raelynn's softer vocal for some parts is just wonderful. The bridge of Fake Girl Town features the most poignant lyrics which give the song a real moment to show of Raelynn's lyrics ahead of the chorus ending Fake Girl Town.

Judgin' To Jesus starts with a very upbeat instrumental which allow us listeners to also hear Raelynn's more upbeat vocal. The first verse sees Raelynn's fun, hippy personality come through in a way I wasn't expecting but one I love. I love how Judgin' To Jesus is showing us a real pure side of who Raelynn is as an artist, and person. Judgin' To Jesus is one song that is saying a lot of what people do in their own lives so it's great to hear a song that does this too especially from a young woman. Raelynn's little Texas twang is coming through on the chorus which I love a lot especially with the fun, and upbeat vocal range that she continues to give off as the song continues. The second verse continues Judgin' To Jesus seeing Raelynn not being afraid to say anything that she is feeling. This verse brings together the chorus so beautiful both times, love this proper country belief song. I love how the final verse of Judgin' To Jesus sounds like they are at a party with the vocals being upbeat, and fun - you can really tell how much Raelynn's Christian beliefs mean to her as you learn to this song, I love this a lot as it is pushed to those that don't.

Me About Me has a soft guitar instrumental to start this song which is very something I love about the song right from the start. The first verse of Me About Me sees Raelynn's softer vocal range be demonstrated in the most beautiful way with the most beautifully heartfelt written lyrics. However, from the moment, I heard the very first line I was taken into my own little world as the lyrics are written from the place, and a place of honesty. The chorus on Me About Me features some wonderfully incredibly lyrics which compliment all the verses beautifully. The vocal range of Raelynn is still a soft one which just blows me away as this is something I love about Raelynn so much as an artist. The second verse continues  Me About Me in a wonderful day as the story continues thanks to the beautiful lyrics and you can tell so much that Raelynn has written this song based on experience which is why I think I love it so much! Me About Me ends with the chorus which brings Me About Me to an incredible end which is one hell of an amazing move.

Bra Off starts with a quirky but sassy sounding instrumental which I love from the very first moment I hear the song. The first verse on Bra Off is one of pure sass and about that relationship that most of us have been in when you don't really feel like you want to be with them 100%. I have so admiration for Raelynn in the way that she is able to write songs like this and instantly connect with her audience. The chorus of Bra Off is my favourite part of the song and one that I caught myself singing to despite not knowing the lyrics still despite having heard it live a few times. The instrumental is a little slower than the first verse which adds a lot of dynamic to the song which I just adore. The second verse continues the moral of Bra Off in the most beautiful way saying that you see the guy as a friend and nothing more. The lyrics are written from the heart without the song which is incredible and one that lyrical makes me cry! The bridge of Bra Off is my favourite because it literally a couple lines that you can tell are the most important in the song giving them a chance to stand out. The final chorus is the most perfect way to end the song, ending the song in a beautiful way.

Neon Cowgirl starts with the classic Raelynn style with a guitar instrumental that I love from the very first moment I heard it. The first verse sees Raelynn's crisp vocal at the forefront allowing for this beautiful love story to come to life with a girl waiting for her cowboy to arrive at the pub. However, in the chorus you start to get some proper country feels that makes you wanna sing along with, whilst also being hooked in the songs lyrics. The second verse continues with Raelynn's softer vocal now being  demonstrated which allows for the listeners to hear a little emotion but in a fun sassy way that many people will love no doubt. There is something so wonderfully special about the bridge going into the chorus that left me wanting more but in the best possible way.

Small Town Prayer starts with a softer sounding instrumental which I have to had gave a very homely feel. The first verse sees Raelynn's softer vocal tone at the forefront allowing for the real life situations in the lyrics to shine through with how life changes. The honesty within the lyrics for me made for many wonderful moments. The lyrics within the chorus of Small Town Prayer sees the story being bought together in a way that is so unique, and the fact that Raelynn seems to have written it as a 'Thank You' makes it even more special. As I was listening, I caught myself being able to relate with so many of the lyrics and bringing back so many happy memories. Ahead of the second verse was a beautifully soft instrumental that blended into the verse wonderfully with it's sentimental meaning coming through. The final chorus bought the song to a wonderful end.

Get That All The Time featuring Mitchell Tenpenny has a fun, quirky, and upbeat instrumental to start thanks to the electric guitar. The first verse sees Raelynn's fun sassy vocal at the forefront with the lyrics being ones that are full of sassy, but at the same time very Raelynn which is the perfect blend.  The chorus of Get That All The Time features some catchy lyrics and shows how wonderful Mitchell and Raelynn's vocals work together as Mitchell opens the second verse wonderfully with the perspective of a males point of view which is something I enjoy hearing within a duet if I am honest. The more the song continues the more Raelynn and Mitchell's vocals work fantastically together blending perfectly into one another's.

Only In A Small Town has a quirky, fun, and upbeat instrumental setting the song up wonderfully. I love the sassy vibes that Raelynn gives in the first verse with all the 'small town memories' - I have a feeling many people who listen will be able to relate to the lyrics. The chorus of Only In A Small Town features some sassy and upbeat fun lyrics - I adore the fact that you can hear Raelynn singing about the memories right from her heart, and based on her experiences. Coming from a small town, I caught myself relating with a few of the lyrics. The final two verses of Only In A Small Town continue with some brilliant thought about lyrics throughout that allow for Raelynn's super sweet and innocent country feel to come through. The electric guitar instrumental ahead of the bridge was wonderful as it complimented Raelynn's softer vocal tone.

She Chose Me starts with an electric guitar instrumental which compliments Raelynn's softer vocal range that allowed for the lyrics to shine through with many heartfelt moments to be enjoyed by the listeners. The emotions within the lyrics made for special listening especially as the chorus came in. The chorus features many heartfelt catchy lyrics that you can hear so many heartfelt lyrics that I caught listening very closely to the lyrics on and which I think many listeners will do too when they hear this track. The second verse continues with Raelynn's upbeat crisp vocal at the forefront which sees the lyrics take around turn which had for even more special moments throughout the song - the more, I listener the more emotions I feel. The instrumental break down is everything with all the mix of emotions. The final chorus sees Raelynn's softer vocal range return which brings the song to a fantastic end.

Why I Got A Truck featuring Blake Shelton has the song open with Blake Shelton's vocal for a line to set to the tone of the song ahead of Raelynn opening the first verse with her softer vocal range. The first verse sees many catchy lyrics about growing up and choosing your first car, and the independence you get if you are living somewhere so far away, and all the extra benefits it can bring to your life. The chorus of Why I Got A Truck features some beautiful lyrics that see Raelynn and Blake work together so wonderfully on showcasing their beautiful harmonies. There is something so magical and special about the way that their voice blend together so well. The second verse continues Blake's crisp vocal at the forefront which I personal love as it allows for another point of view of the songs meaning to come across. I adore Blake's vocal tone throughout the whole song in general. The guitar instrumental is wonderful in the break up ahead of Raelynn and Blake taking on solo lines of the song ahead of the final chorus to end Why I Got A Truck. This is some duet I never knew I needed to hear!

Rowdy is a fun, quirky and upbeat instrumental which sees Raelynn's fun and sassy side at the forefront which for me is something I personally love about who Raelynn is as an artist. The first verse sees Raelynn's sassy vocal at the forefront allowing for the fun side of the song to come across as well. For me this is the perfect morning drive song to work. The chorus of Rowdy features some super catchy lyrics that are perfect for a sing along on the way to to home, home from work, a road trip etc. The second verse of Rowdy continues Raelynn talking about Sunday's and about church giving this rather religious feel for a few moments which is the perfect blend and allows the listeners into a little more of Raelynn's life. The instrumental break up is wonderfully timed. The final chorus brings Rowdy to the perfect end bringing the song full circle which I love.

Made For Me To Love (Demo) starts with a softer sounding slowed down instrumental allowing for many personal feels to be demonstrated by Raelynn throughout the song. The first verse sees Raelynn's softer dreamy vocal range talking to her baby girl which she has been carrying and looking after is something so special and unique that you can hear why Raelynn has so much passion for the songs lyrics. The chorus of Made For Me To Love features some poignantly honest lyrics that make for many emotional moments. The second verse continues with Raelynn's moment that she discovered she was pregnant and the very moment she discovered those two pink lines and how everything changes instantly, and wow I was crying as I was listening. The chorus blends into every single verse beautifully perfect! The final verse is the so special and full of thankfulness that will resonate with many listeners. The chorus to end the song is utterly stunning!

You can follow Raelynn on her Social Media

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