Reviews

Lainey Wilson “Bell Bottom Country” Album Review

Bell Bottom Country

Lainey Wilson

    • Genre: Country
    • Date: 28 Oct, 2022
    • Content: Not-explicit
    • Region: USA
    • Track(s): 14
  • ℗ 2022 This Is Hit, Inc. d/b/a Broken Bow Records

Bell Bottom Country gets its name from the term used to define the Louisiana native’s distinctive look, sound, and style: country music with flair. The much awaited album captures Lainey’s depth and complexity with touches of ’70s Rock, Funk, and Soul while remaining fundamentally Country. The album has 14 songs, including her most recent single, “Live Off,” as well as “Watermelon Moonshine” and the current single, “Heart Like a Truck.” All but one of the songs were co-written by her.

Throughout the entire album, Lainey shows off her versatility and identity as a strong, independent, and most importantly, authentic woman. Bell Bottom Country shows Lainey’s immense development as a person, performer, and songwriter while being just as honest as her critically acclaimed debut album, “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’.”

Album Cover Art

Lainey Wilson &Quot;Bell Bottom Country&Quot; Album Review, Yours Truly, Reviews, March 28, 2024

On the simple album cover, Lainey is in a pretty nice, silky jumpsuit, holding onto her jacket and striking a pose for the cam while a red hat sits on her head full of long, blonde hair.

Tracks and Features

Hillbilly Hippie and Road Runner serve as the album’s opening salvo. The first song has a laid-back, Sheryl Crow-style “Tuesday Night Music Club” vibe and develops into a larger chorus with the support of persistent drumming and loud guitars. As she sings, “A little Mississippi, a whole lot of rolling stone,” it serves as the introduction to her ideology.

In contrast, “Road Runner” starts off in a marshy manner before exploding into a southern rocker about “burning rubber on the Bridgestones.” As you start to comprehend what Lainey’s reality is truly like, references to tumbleweeds and a life on the highway are made.

Mid-tempo ballad “Heart Like A Truck” explores restlessness, resiliency, and movement. She portrays herself as dirty but worthwhile, without apology! Wilson’s vocals naturally have a dualistic quality that is both delicate and inherently powerful, as seen in the song. In contrast, the song “Those Boots” is a tribute to her father, which is appropriate given his current health problems. Definitely one of the best songs on the album. A straightforward tune with a Texan flavor that always strikes the right notes while still inspiring you to sing along or dance in your kitchen.

The songs “Live Off” and “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” really capture the essence of the entire album. The former is about tiny communities, culture, perseverance, families, sharing tales around a fire, great country music, and the adoration of a wonderful man.

While “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” begins with cowboys, saloon doors, and Western-themed music. It is an anthemic song with a ton of soul. Wilson speaks about being “barefoot on bareback and born tough as nails” as a galloping chorus enters the song. This song has the potential to become one of her true classics and stick with her for many years to come. Wilson concludes the song with the line, “I push like a daisy through old sidewalk cracks,” and invites you to join her for what is sure to be an intriguing voyage.

The album is further enhanced by a fantastic version of the Four Non-Blondes’ classic song “What’s Up (What’s Going On?)” that sounds like it has always been a country song. A pretty cool way to bring things to an end.

Tracklist

NO TITLE TIME
1 Hillbilly Hippie 3:31
2 Road Runner 3:46
3 Watermelon Moonshine 3:28
4 Grease 3:07
5 Weak-End 3:28
6 Me, You, and Jesus 3:41
7 Hold My Halo 3:26
8 Heart Like A Truck 3:19
9 Atta Girl 3:26
10 This One’s Gonna Cost Me 3:13
11 Those Boots (Deddy’s Song) 2:50
12 Live Off 3:35
13 Wildflowers and Wild Horses 4:10
14 What’s Up (What’s Going On) 3:51

Album Theme

Wilson’s genealogy, her ambitions, and her musical taste are all encapsulated in the album, which can be thought of as a manifesto and a state of mind. It is first and foremost a message on southern culture, including its values, emphasis on family, perseverance, and fun.

Production Credits

Jay Joyce solely worked on the album’s production.

Stream

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