ALBUM REVIEW - LAUREN ALAINA

Today (Friday 28th August) will see US singer-songwriter, Lauren Alaina release her brand new album, Stages which is made up of 16 songs forming three different stages of her life.

Stage 1: The Dreaming

Babies Raising Babies (featuring Tyler Suddeth) features Lauren reminisces about her childhood that I caught myself getting a little teary over as you could hear a mix of emotions remembering me of the reason I became a fan of Lauren's music in the first place. The songwriting is beautiful throughout, but Tyler's vocals and harmonies are a wonderfully addition. Tyler's vocals on the second verse added a wonderful family dynamic to the song that made it even more special as you can hear how proud Lauren is to have her brother on this track. Babies Raising Babies is the perfect opening track.

Those Kind of Women is song of female empowerment where all the different kind of women that Lauren was raised by/ on getting appreciated in a way that many of her listeners will agree, and say their own little thank you's to the most important people in their lives. The verses take you through a different stage of Lauren's life were are joined together by a brilliantly written chorus connecting all the verses together fantastically. The fact that the video for this video featured her mother, Kristy along with the announcement of her pregnancy with Beni Doll was beautiful, and one of my favourite music videos in a very long time.

Household from the moment it was released become one of my favourites due to the 90's country feel that instantly had me hooked. Realising that not everyone had the upbringing I did - I really learnt this new appreciate for the upbringing I was lucky to have received. The up-tempo of the chorus was brilliantly chosen as it added a positive twist with some twisted lyrics with the sassy lyrics adding many twists alone the way.

Paints The Picket has a soulful instrumental alongside Lauren's soft vocal tones that allows for many heartfelt lyrics to be shared with her listeners. The chorus features some beautifully written lyrics, however you can hear a slight pretending of everything being ok that is cleverly selected. The songwriting is beautifully crafted as you can hear the 'he' / 'she' typical jobs which for me demonstrates how the communication in the situation Lauren wrote about has broke down and that everyone involved is pretending to be ok.

The Ringer is an upbeat song that sees the fun side of who Lauren is as an artist shine through with Lauren's musically ability being at the forefront something I really enjoy within Lauren's music. The chorus hears the early days of the relationship at the forefront leaving you with many questions allowing for listeners to make their own meaning of the song - Lauren's vocals are filled with lots of care and delivered in a wonderful way. The second verse takes you through many different chapters that makes for some fantastic listening.

Stage 2: The Breaking

Rings On The Table is a song of double meaning about marrying the one, whilst also wanting to leave the relationship. The powerful first verse features some beautifully crafted songwriting after losing someone, whilst the chorus is about moving on with everyday life after leaving a relationship. The second verse features the hurt highlighting many different emotions which are highlighted within the songwriting making it extremely emotional for me.

Becoming with an upbeat instrumental, If You Ain't Gonna Love Me features some fun loving lyrics whilst being filled with some empowering lyrics eg not waiting for them to love you, whilst the chorus is very fun highlighting the early days of Lauren's music with the honesty going back to her roots - the chorus is super catchy with every verse connecting wonderfully. If You Ain't Gonna Love Me is a strong female empowerment of a song and one that is going to be fantastic live that's for sure.

The instrumental of Walking On Broadway instantly had me hooked and the mention of cowboy boots, I could instantly feel the good times coming with the songwriting being written on a little experience and a little of what she's seen it seems, however the chorus reminding me of 'walking in Memphis' which was a very clever twist as she could you back to her song hoping to not run into her ex. Lauren sure does know how to write brilliant songs that listeners will enjoy, and relate with. Walking on Broadway is one song, I am very excited to hear live when Lauren does come back to the UK (I really hope its soon).

Better Off is one sassy and fiery song that I have to admit is definitely a hit. The song-writing through out is beautiful, and one that many people will be able to relate with (sadly!), but the feel of empowerment is a brilliant move as it's a song that people will listen too. The chorus is the strongest part with the lyrics being ones that roll of your tongue, and make you feel like you are better off alone than with someone that cheated on you. Lauren's vocal tones are stunning with the layered moments.

Raining Whiskey is an upbeat song that breaks the album up brilliantly whilst Lauren shows listeners a different side that fans enjoy. There is something so special about the mature side to this song that I caught myself listening too closely hearing this crisp control made it special showing her growth as an artist over the years. The chorus is the most stunning thanks to the upbeat sounds - a perfect night out song to get the evening started or even during/ after the main night out!

All My Exes featuring Chase Matthew begins with Lauren's crisp tones with a little insecurity into a lot of vulnerability that is layered beautifully especially when Chase enters as the first chorus kicked in allowing for their harmonies to be showcased... The way that Chase continued with the layers of the song in a great way for the second verse added another dimension. The softer, soulful side during the bridge into final verse was stunning as you could feel the story developing - whilst remaining adamant that all my exes' would agree.

Photo Credit: Katie Kauss

Stage 3: The Becoming

Daddy Shoots Straight is an quirky and upbeat song that begins this new section of Lauren music wonderfully as you can hear the fun side of who Lauren has always been as an artist, mixed with her fun catchy lyrics it's a brilliant addition to this new era of Lauren music that honestly had me hooked and wanting to sing along too, despite not 100% knowing the words. The songwriting into storytelling is brilliantly chosen with every single verse offering something different.

Spin has an upbeat instrumental that compliments Lauren's tones beautifully allowing for her songwriting to be showcased brilliantly with the catchy, and at times heartfelt lyrics that I caught myself wanting to get up and dance along with. The chorus is my favourite part due to the catchiness, and purity of Lauren's vocal range - thank you Lauren for writing such a great song. Every single verse offers something I little different, whilst all the verses work brilliantly with the chorus.

Never Been In Love featuring Kane Brown is one of my favourite songs of the album because it features two of my favourite artists, and their vocals compliment each other so well. The first verse sets the tone of the song up wonderfully with honest lyrics that you can hear through Lauren's vulnerability something I really enjoyed hearing, but the moment the chorus kicks its like hearing your best friends hearing together. Kane's vocals on the second verse is brilliant and brings another level to 'Never Been In Love' - but its Kane and Lauren's harmonies that make it special.

Little Things is one beautifully written and sung song from Lauren that makes you think about the little things in life in a different light, and why we would always appreciate the 'little things' in our own lives especially after grief our a loved one. Lauren's crisp tones make the whole song stunning with the layered emotions involved highlighting though key moments for Lauren - what a powerful song. Lauren, I really appreciate you sharing this song with us fans as it couldn't have been an easy decision, but I know you would have helped some people struggling to grief realising that their feelings are valid whatever stage of grief they are at.

Heaven Sent is one of the most emotional and poignant songs, that I have to admit broke me even months on from it's release. The emotions of the lyrics as our lives continue without some of the most important people in our lives, however, our lives do and this realisation is the hardest - forever holding onto their memories. The vulnerability throughout the verses is beautifully especially as she is talking about one of the hardest journeys to go on without her father by her side as she had her first daughter - it's the little interactions that are the toughest.

You can follow Lauren on her Social Media