Album Review – Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind”
#530 (Contemporary Pop Country) on the Country DDS.
In years previous, one of the prevailing press narratives in country music was how women performers weren’t receiving enough support. Now Lainey Wilson is the current CMA Entertainer of the Year, while her last album Bell Bottom Country won the CMA, ACM, and Grammy Album of the Year as well. She might still be the exception as opposed to the rule, but arguably nobody is receiving more support from the mainstream country music industry at the moment than Lainey.
Lainey Wilson is most certainly part of the spear tip helping to breed appeal for country in popular music, as well as the resurgence of country sounds in popular country. And after being abandoned by Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift, country music is looking for not just star power, but stability, and loyalty. They believe they have found that in Lainey. That is why she is the Entertainer of the Year, even if she would struggle to make the Top 10 in overall popularity in the genre.
Whirlwind is a good title for what Lainey has been going through over the last few years. She’s not that far removed from living in a travel trailer in Nashville and wondering when her name would finally be called. Now she’s one of the most awarded performers over the last year, with endorsement deals pouring in, and even a spot on the cast of Yellowstone. Her new song “Middle Of It” spells it out well.
Got ya leaning on the Lord while ya under your breath just a cussing
Oh, but one of these days you’re gonna miss these days
When you didn’t even know you were on your way
Knee deep in the weeds, you can only see just a little of it
Smack dab in the middle of it
This is Lainey Wilson’s story in a nutshell, and now that she’s found her way to the mountaintop, you can tell she’s taking nothing for granted. We don’t hear Lainey Wilson letting off the gas on Whirlwind. The album captures some of her most impassioned and soaring performances of her career. Whether it’s the somber “Broken Hearts Still Beat,” the incredible note she sustains near the end of “Call A Cowboy,” or the touching moments of the final track “Whiskey Colored Crayon,” Lainey left it all in the studio iso booth on this one, taking nothing for granted.
A lot of great songs and writing also grace these 14 tracks. Though there’s not a song on here without three writers, there’s also not one of them that doesn’t include Lainey herself. Even the radio friendly singles like “Good Horses” with Miranda Lambert and”4X4XU” co-written by Aaron Raitiere don’t bother you like country radio fare can. “Keep Up With Jones” builds its verses from George Jones references, which is a common tactic in country songs these days. Yet it’s also a good example of how Lainey is helping to keep country music cool.
But if you feel a “but” coming on, that’s not just due to a couple of errant tracks. Detractors and purists will most certainly be clutching their pearls at the song “Ring Finger,” which starts out like a hard rock track, then turns into some sort of kiss off/attitudinal groove thing. Similar to the song “Grease” from her last album Bell Bottom Country, Lainey takes this opportunity to do something funky and fun, and it’s probably so offbeat and out-of-bounds that it’s really not worth worrying about as a signal of a greater direction in her career. It’s just meant to be playful.
What is more disappointing and off-putting is the production work throughout the album by long-time mainstream country producer Jay Joyce. Already notorious for pushing country artists in a more rock direction, he certainly lives up to that reputation on Whirlwind. Though there’s perhaps no popular country artist whose authentic twang makes itself more patently aware in their vocals than Lainey, there might not be a single twangy note played on the entire Whirlwind record.
The complimentary thing would be to call this album “cowboy noir.” But in truth it’s really just pop country. Perhaps Joyce’s theory was that the way to take Lainey to the next level now that she’s ascended the country music mountain was to make her music more palatable to the masses. Most any and all notions of complimenting her country songs and country voice with country music was circumvented for ultra stylized and contemporary sounds that run the fault of not just shirking the roots of Lainey’s sound, but being so heavy-handed as to render the production an outright distraction in certain songs.
What’s even more unnerving is that many of these songs are begging for country instrumentation, yet Jay Joyce never acquiesces. “Call a Cowboy” is a waltz about the leathery nature of rural men, but the music is all spatial pop 808 programming and terrible contemporary guitar tones that sap the ruggedness out of the writing. “Counting Chickens” is screaming for a banjo or a fiddle that never comes.
Lainey Wilson’s last album Bell Bottom Country saw acoustic guitar contributions from Molly Tuttle, including on the hit song “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” Charlie Worsham also played banjo and mandolin on it. It was a good mix of classic and contemporary country sounds. On Whirlwind, we only get steel guitar and mandolin on a couple of tracks respectively, while “Omnichord synthesizer” and “Farfisa organ” make it into the credits under Jay Joyce’s instrumental contributions.
Lainey Wilson got where she is by being “more country,” even if she wasn’t hardcore country herself. But now that country has gone country, Joyce has taken her in a more contemporary direction. The Post Malone country album F-1 Trillion has way more fiddle, steel guitar, and twang on it. Zach Top is opening for Lainey Wilson on her current tour and is surging in popularity by leaning into country sounds. Everybody wants to be country these days, from Lana Del Rey to singer and hip-hop artist Monica, and Jay Joyce decides this is the time to cut the twang out of Lainey Wilson’s tracks.
The good news for Lainey Wilson and her fans is that the energy she brings to the album, and the quality of the songs feels like it prevails over the obtrusive and ornate production. It will be hard for distinguishing ears to push aside many of the decisions Jay Joyce has made here, if for no other reason than it feels like Joyce and his musical histrionics vie so heavily for your attention.
But if you can move beyond the production, there is still value to be found on this album, some fun and spicy moments, and it might be the greatest showcase of Lainey’s vocal virtues yet.
6.9/10
– – – – – – – – –
Purchase Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind
Kris Hitchcock
August 26, 2024 @ 7:27 am
My girlfriend and I listened to this entire record on the way up to the mountains in North Carolina, and we both said exactly this. Good songs, even great songs, just begging for better production. You could HEAR the Jay Joyce of it all, and that hubris is sad when you have such a great singer and songwriter drowned out by massive noise.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 7:55 am
It’s almost as if Jay Joyce had a million dollar budget for this album, and made sure to spend every last dime, noodling with it to justify the money spent, and the whole time sapping everything cool out of each of these tracks.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 12:12 pm
This reminds me of a clip I saw of a producer recounting a conversation with Dylan about what actual changes he was doing and how trying to make every instrument sound “amazing” the whole track would sound muddled and sound like crap. I find the approach of trying to polish up a noisy cluttered bar band sound to get boring very quickly. I think in their efforts to be “rockin'” they are exchanging dynamic and nuance for energy.
Interstate Daydreamer
August 26, 2024 @ 7:28 am
“Whiskey Colored Crayon” has potential to be Song of the Year for me.
CCH Pounder
August 26, 2024 @ 7:38 am
Can we just blacklist Jay Joyce from the industry already? The guy does nothing but his damndest to ruin otherwise good albums with awful production
CountryKnight
August 26, 2024 @ 7:55 am
“Keep Up With Jones” is just another tired name-drop song. It is not cool; it is more pandering to demographics by mentioning a country singer everybody knows.
It is manufactured as “Damn Strait” by Scotty.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 2:09 pm
I remember the first time I heard “Damn Strait” on the radio. Right after the line “nobody in her right mind would have left her, was her favorite song” I loudly said “NOOO!” like Michael Scott when he saw Toby back in the office.
Interstate Daydreamer
August 26, 2024 @ 8:04 am
I do find it kinda hilarious that with all of the shit you gave Carly Pearce recently and how “there’s a reason Lainey Wilson is getting more popular,” you ended up giving Carly’s album a stronger rating than Lainey’s.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 8:15 am
I sure don’t remember giving Carly Pearce any “shit.” I remember lamenting that it seems like mainstream country can only support one woman at the time, and that woman was Lainey Wilson, so Carly Pearce was getting unfairly overlooked. I did say I thought she allowed the heckler recently to get too under her skin, but I supported her speaking up.
JB-Chicago
August 26, 2024 @ 8:15 am
Yeah, I’m 3 or 4 spins in and it’s obvious Jay Joyce has overstayed his welcome. How many more will we have to endure with Lainey is the question? There are a few good songs, some so so songs and a couple of klunkers, kind of what I expected. I’m not sure if I even cut a couple and do a rearrange its rotation worthy but we’ll see. The “sick of Lainey” backlash is another thing that will be happening if it’s not already. It’ll be interesting to see never having played a headline show here where they’ll try and put her as she’s selling out everywhere. Theater or arena are both Ticketmaster, she’s always fun to watch but I probably won’t be going.
Ben Parks
August 26, 2024 @ 9:01 am
The backslash is already happening with me lol. I enjoyed her first album, but now she just seems everywhere and has over saturated my give a damn for her.
who
August 26, 2024 @ 3:24 pm
And there goes any sleep she was planning 🙄
Rich
August 26, 2024 @ 8:24 am
I like Lainey and I always root for her. She is just a ball of energy on stage and the one time I’ve seen her live was a flat out fun show. Maybe second only to Drake Milligan for pure fun. I like this album better than “Bell Bottom Country” actually. But yes, Lainey has enough country cred that she doesn’t need to be the female version of Eric Church. The production choices really killed what otherwise could have been a great album. I’m never one to scoff at mixing some rock in, but “Ring Finger” is just way too much. It sticks out like a sore thumb on an otherwise good but could-have-been great record.
Counter this with Morgan Wade’s recent “Obsessed” which is drenched in pedal steel but to me is under-produced rendering a good portion of it boring. She’s headlining Peacemaker Fest in October and I have no idea how most of those songs will even translate to a big stage.
Dennis Reynolds
August 26, 2024 @ 8:24 am
Better than her last solely due to the fact that it doesn’t have a terrible cover version of an already terrible song on it.
Kevin Smith
August 26, 2024 @ 9:02 am
I found a current interview with Lainey that popped up on my YouTube feed. She gives some perspective on the Jay Joyce thing. She considers him her ” dream producer”. She had a friend badger him to death to give Lainey a listen and finally he did. She says they would hang out and chat over coffee several times before he even had her sing a note. Eventually she asked him to produce an album for her. She goes as far as saying he’s the only producer who gets
her vision of what ” Bell- Bottom Country” is.
So, apparently she’s happy as can be with the production.
What saves this album for me, is her vocals. Very strong. I like the song with Miranda Lambert. It’s maybe a bit cliche, but the overall vibe grabs me. To me, she’s one of the more interesting female vocalists to hit the mainstream in a long while. Say what you will, but the southern accent isn’t fake, don’t believe me? Listen to an interview, it’s legit. Yeah, a bunch of steel would be welcome for sure on this album, but as Trig mentions, her voice has plenty of twang and grit in it. I don’t see the album as a disaster, in fact it’s got some decent moments to be found.
CountryKnight
August 26, 2024 @ 11:02 am
They all want to be pop/rock stars but still call themselves country.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 12:13 pm
I’m sure she is super happy with Jay Joyce since he helped make her major label career possible as a power player in the industry. Who knows what Lainey Wilson would actually like her music to sound. She’s not going to rock that boat, though we can’t just assume she’s NOT happy with this sound either.
CountryKnight
August 26, 2024 @ 12:16 pm
You could say that about every Nashville star that has been roasted for selling out.
Why is Lainey any different?
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 12:26 pm
I didn’t say Lainey Wilson was any different.
Andrew
August 26, 2024 @ 9:11 am
A lot of stuff that’s okay but never great. At this point Lainey just feels overhyped and overexposed.
Di Harris
August 26, 2024 @ 10:05 am
Andrew,
Apologies if you have already seen this.
Ella Langley.
She has a Wonderful voice.
https://youtu.be/uRQQ5E4LAdA?si=MhD2Ztq-2zcJTWfD
Andrew
August 26, 2024 @ 7:27 pm
I’ve already heard that chorus a million times via TikTok, which in itself makes her suspect tbh. It also doesn’t take much skill to just speak the verses.
Terry
August 26, 2024 @ 9:29 am
Nothing against Lainey, but I prefer the newest releases from Kaitlin Butts, Melissa Carper, and Kimmi Bitter. Just great music!
To me, Brennen Leigh is the truest sound of Country music today. Pure gold!
And the great voice of Tami Neilson who has a new album coming out soon of Willie Nelson covers.
Kevin Smith
August 26, 2024 @ 11:26 am
Terry, many here including myself agree with you. But, that’s apples to oranges. Lainey is straight up mainstream country with all the radio and industry support possible. What Wilson represents to me, is a steering wheel turn towards the right direction for the industry. Not perfect by any means, but a net positive. Your not gonna get a Western swing or early 60s honky- tonk record out of her. That would sell about 100 copies. No big money to be made doing that. Sure I’d support it, and maybe a few others like you would, but understand Lainey Wilson for the moment is a hot commodity to a relatively big audience. Realistically, you and I aren’t her target core audience. The fact that someone like me kinda likes what she’s doing is an anomaly. I guess her voice hooks me in. And she’s easy to look at.
JB-Chicago
August 26, 2024 @ 3:05 pm
Kevin is right, everyone loves Butts, Bitter, Carper, and Ferrell but they won’t be playing and selling out 5 to 10K venues and tearing it up like Lainey does anytime soon. Neither will the lovely Ms. Pearce, Ballerini, or others of that ilk. I prefer all the intimate female shows you named as well as all the ones I go to, but Lainey is an entertainer, and every once in awhile we need a female “Star” to ascend to the upper echelon. I won’t be there, but up she’ll go and put on a hell of a show I’m sure…LOL
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 4:10 pm
For the record, Sierra Ferrell is already playing 5K venues and headlining/direct supporting 10,000-25,000K festivals. She may be in arenas in a couple of years for all we know. Butts is on her first headlining tour, and these ladies are expanding the opportunities for the other ladies coming up behind them. I could definitely see this crop overtaking mainstream stars like we saw Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, and Billy Strings do.
WuK
August 26, 2024 @ 10:34 am
I suppose now that Lainey Wilson is getting successful, it is the time for the critics to attack. not that I am suggesting the review of his album is an attack. Whilst I might have a different opinion on some parts of the review, I can understand the points made. I enjoyed her previous albums and for me, I think this is as good as her previous albums. There are some great songs. She is singing as well if not better than ever. Maybe not the production I would have chosen but I do not think it spoils this album. It is a really good country album with some great songs and vocals which is well worth a listen. In terms of mainstream artists, this is better than most. An entertaining album. I would give a good 8 out of 10, maybe a little higher.
wayne
August 26, 2024 @ 11:26 am
I am not a fan of most female country singers. Not prejudiced, but most simply do nothing for me. And that includes the icons. I probably prefer Patty Loveless to any and Connie Smith for the older era.
That being said, I have noticed as Trigger commented that there seems to be room for only one female star at a time. I am not sure why that is. That is no defense of Carly because I do not care for her. There’s just an authenticity that, to me, seems lacking. Don’t know why and I am probably wrong.
But for male singers, there seems to be plenty of room for more than one superstar at a time. For women, not so much. I’m just glad that the love fest with Miranda, especially the awards shows (cough, cough, gag, gag) is finally over.
By the way, Jay Joyce needs to disappear. Other than that, no real thoughts on this album. I predict her star will begin to fade by the end of 2025 as the new female flavor of the month is introduced. Sorry folks, but the boys will rule, right or wrong. Just the way it is.
Tom C
August 26, 2024 @ 12:00 pm
Question: “That being said, I have noticed as Trigger commented that there seems to be room for only one female star at a time. I am not sure why that is?”
Answer: “I am not a fan of most female country singers.”
wayne
August 26, 2024 @ 1:14 pm
Tom C,
Ha. No argument from me. I have tried however.
CountryKnight
August 26, 2024 @ 12:13 pm
That is because, outside of Tammy and Loretta, none of the women have come close to the best men in the genre.
Jessi forsaked stardom, Dolly and Reba went pop, Connie Smith never had the best material, Shania Twain wasn’t country, etc.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 12:20 pm
If people don’t like female singers, that is a personal preference. And as much as people want to rage against that, you can’t create appeal for music that people don’t find any appeal in. I personally think some of the grousing about how country music is actively trying to keep women down because the “hate” women, or it’s some kind of control or political issue are lying to themselves and overlooking the economic realities like Tom C pointed to up above. This is an economic issue not a social one, and until you recognize that reality, you will never figure out how to address it properly.
But it is without question that women face less opportunities in the country music industry to the point where “nobody wants to listen to women” becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Maybe they just don’t want to listen to the women on the radio that pander to pop and rock. Megan Moroney is one of the hottest names in the genre at the moment. She’s also one of the most country in the mainstream.
wayne
August 26, 2024 @ 1:20 pm
Trigger,
GREAT comment. I have posted previously when it come to women singers that is has been, to a great extent, economic and not some type of anti-woman conspiracy. It’s what the market demands. A good example is Lainey winning ETOY. When going off pure concert attendance, I would speculate that she is probably one of the ETOY’s smallest concert draws when she is headlining. Not a knock, just pure numbers.
Ever since my childhood, I just simply have not been a fan of women singers, regardless of genre. I don’t know the reason. It’s not sexist. There just isn’t the appeal.
When Loretta or Reba comes on the dial, I can’t listen. And they are GREAT and certainly ICON status. It’s just me and I can live with that.
Oh well, we can’t all be the same.
Taylor
August 26, 2024 @ 5:57 pm
Well said on the women singers. Other than a few exceptions like Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, and Emmylou Harris, I struggle as well. Wish many ladies of country great success but just doesn’t appeal to me. Even the two that I mention I have a hard time listening to a whole album of their music at one time.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 2:26 pm
A sizeable chunk of country music that I listen to from the 90’s back is from female artists. There isn’t nearly as much new music that I listen to but there are still female artists in there.
What turns me off instantly to anyone’s music is ‘girl-power’ shit. That music is not marketed to me anyway so it should be obvious that I am not a fan. Sadly with social media playing a large role in business most artists have to be their own content creators and not being overtly pro-girl is seen as a betrayal to their own gender.
I’ve heard remarks from older heads in the music business that they could manage one female band, or 5 male bands – meaning men are easier to work with. Have an elementary understanding of gender dynamics I think it’s fair to assume that there is truth there that women are going to be more difficult to work with than men, but idk to what extent that affects the disparities here.
Also when it comes to the economics of ticket sales at festivals and multi-artist events, since men and women both have a disproportionate desire to hear male artists over female artists, that is going to tip the scales in one direction.
Nadia Lockheart
August 26, 2024 @ 6:11 pm
I know it’s just personal preference and I do respect that, but for me it’s largely the opposite of you in that I don’t care for how most male country vocals sound while I’ve always enjoyed most women country vocals.
I don’t know if maybe it has to do with all the braggadocious showboating I heard from male baritone singers in the 2000s and then especially bro-country chauvinism in the first half of the 2010s, but either way for the most part I’ve just always found female vocals more authentic, vivacious and soulful while male vocals are too stoic and detached to me for the most part.
Tom
August 27, 2024 @ 9:29 am
…just for you information wayne ” I’m just glad that the love fest with miranda, especially the awards shows (cough, cough, gag, gag) is finally over.” the vast majority of artists presented here on scm can’t hold a candle to miranda lambert in any relevant department. certainly not over a period of two decades and counting. facts are still facts, whether you like her or not.
Dennis Reynolds
August 26, 2024 @ 11:42 am
A little off topic, but I’ve heard very reliable info that Miranda is about to release a career best album, something in a totally different league to this.
And I say that as someone that likes this album!
Rich
August 26, 2024 @ 12:25 pm
The duet with Miranda on Lainey’s album is one of my top 3 favorites on this record. Lainey’s voice is just power while Miranda’s has such character and I really like both so having them on the same song is cool. They may get lumped together as main stream blondes but their voices are very different. I do agree that based on songs released so far (except Wranglers which I do not care for) and snippets Miranda has teased that her album has the potential to be amazing.
Alison
August 27, 2024 @ 4:51 pm
After hearing some of the (very country) song previews Miranda played in Austin this weekend, it seems like Wranglers will end up being the weakest song on the album. No clue why it was put forward first.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 12:06 pm
“Detractors and purists will most certainly be clutching their pearls”..
Isn’t that supposed to be you to an extent?
“She’s not that far removed from living in a travel trailer in Nashville and wondering when her name would finally be called.”
It’s hilarious how this woman gets completely different treatment from Midland. Midland didn’t tirelessly spend a decade and a half in Texas clubs so they are inauthentic. Lainey did some Hannah Montana impersonation shows yada yada then she waited in a trailer for a break that she was deserved despite her not coming up thru the clubs.
She not far removed from a female amalgamation of Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean – it’s that she has tits and bellbottoms that she is able to fool so many people…Trigger included.
CountryKnight
August 26, 2024 @ 12:15 pm
Midland’s issue was their marketing presenting them as hardscrabble. But I agree with your general take. Lainey’s marketing is superficial, too.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 12:24 pm
I’ve never considered myself a purist, and purists tend to hate this site.
Not sure how you’re comparing living in a travel trailer and doing Hannah Montana impersonations to Cameron Duddy making millions producing videos, selling his million-dollar estate in Topanga Canyon, buying a million-dollar property in Dripping Springs, and then playing four shows at Poodies before turning around and calling themselves a homegrown Austin band.
I let all that go with Midland years ago, btw. It’s you and others that keep bringing it up.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 1:24 pm
The articles are still up on your site.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 2:19 pm
Yes they are, and I stand 100% behind everything in those articles, and it would be unethical for me to delete them. There are also other articles, and newer articles that also say we shouldn’t obsess over Midland’s back story, we should move on, and regard the music for what it is, which the vast majority of people have done.
You are the one freakishly obsessing over this issue, writing screed after screed about Midland in an album review for Lainey Wilson. Get the fuck over it, and stay on topic. My goodness. I simply said Lainey Wilson went from a travel trailer to CMA Entertainer of the Year (which is true), and how this had been a “Whirlwind” of a career arc. It was literally one sentence in this review. I didn’t go into some in-depth commentary on her back story.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 1:31 pm
Of course Cameron Duddy is not homegrown. Neither is Lainey. There is no evidence that Lainey is either. Everyone keeps receiting her own handful of stories verbatim as if that is evidence. There aren’t youtube videos of her playing in bars in the 2000’s and 2010’s until she got a record deal.
Midland openly lied about their backstory. People are fabricating Lainey’s authenticty for her with the most shallow of street cred.
I reject this sentiment that Lainey was owed this sucess, as if there aren’t thousands of women out there actually putting in hard work every week in bars trying to get this same break. The country music establishment picked her and whatever good for her but this idea that what she was before this made her deserve it is BS. She is just “country” enough to skirt critisism of her music being very cardboard and generic.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 2:28 pm
“I reject this sentiment that Lainey was owed this sucess, as if there aren’t thousands of women out there actually putting in hard work every week in bars trying to get this same break.”
Who made this argument, Strait. Did I? Did any other commenter? You’re tilting at windmills here. You’re arguing with phantoms, and seem obsessively focused on Lainey Wilson’s back story way more than anyone is attempting to sell it or defend it.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 2:37 pm
Yes. You have repeated the exact sentiment I am arguing against, in previous articles. You have repeated her own self fabricated claims of authentcity, not to the degree of other commenters but you have. I can go back and pull quotes from other articles and the comments – that is if you don’t threaten to shut down the comments on this article.
I am not angry that people are choosing to repeat her fabricated backstory. I find it more amusing than anything else, but I still feel a desire to rant about it. There are few places where I can fully express my true thoughts on a subject because the real world requires moderation. Hell even this weekend some band mates were quoting Jeff Dunham and I’ve previously ranted about that.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 1:41 pm
The reason I am drawing a comparison is because both fabricated a backstory that spanned a decade yet there is no evidence of it. So Lainey spent a decade in a camper, sometimes with no heat, waiting on her break. There are no videos of her performing in bars. Literally everyone else who is trying to make it has tens or hundreds of videos of them performing live. Hell most people who perform regularly have tons of videos circulating out there that they are in.
“But she was a Hannah Montana impersonator in high school, that is just as outlaw country as anything George Jones or Patsy Cline ever did” (sarcasm)
I just don’t understand why it’s considered mean and unfair to critisize Lainey’s backstory but it’s ok to call BS on the backstory of Little Big Town. Anyone within a ten mile radius of Nashville knows that the music biz is filled with lies and smoke and mirrors. Taking everything at face value and repeating everything your told with no amount of discernment is just about as intelligent as the average middle class mom in Iowa commenting on Lainey’s Youtube videos.
Lainey was just lucky to be hand selected to be in Yellowstone and get a record deal. She is one of thousands of women who could have just as easily took her spot. I am just annoyed that people think she’s authentic as all get out simply because she and her family said so.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 2:25 pm
Dude, calm down. You have intimated way more about Lainey Wilson’s back story than I ever did.
“I just don’t understand why it’s considered mean and unfair to criticize Lainey’s backstory but it’s ok to call BS on the backstory of Little Big Town.”
Who said that it was? You are literally the one making the comparisons to these two artists. Not me, not anyone else. Nobody brought up Midland. I haven’t criticized Midland’s back story for YEARS.
All of this is also completely off topic at this point.
Strait
August 26, 2024 @ 2:29 pm
MIdland hasn’t done anything in years. If I want to rant a little about the topic I don’t know why you think that is out of hand. You rant about topics. Why is your occasionally ranting completely fine but mine is out of hand?
And fuck off with your trying to police exactly what is on-topic or off topic.
JPalmer
August 28, 2024 @ 9:11 am
So, are we going to get a review when Midland’s album comes out? Lol, this is pretty funny.
Trigger
August 28, 2024 @ 10:45 am
I will definitely consider it for review just like all the albums released in country/Americana.
ChrisJ
August 26, 2024 @ 3:28 pm
You chose your name on here to be fucking “Strait” talk about unauthentic, bland and unoriginal. You literally did the exact same thing as those shitty name drop songs that you critique in a different form.
CountryKnight
August 27, 2024 @ 6:02 am
Lainey isn’t sleeping with you, ChrisJ.
ChrisJ
August 27, 2024 @ 9:40 am
Very juvenile response for such an old man. Can you read? Where did I defend Lainey Wilson? I didn’t. I said name drop songs are shitty, specifically hers. I’m not a fan of her in the slightest and find her rather uninspired. I’m simply calling out a guy on here that many others find annoying. Stay out of it, cretin.
CountryKnight
August 27, 2024 @ 11:45 am
Cretin. Hmm.
I hope you didn’t obtain a papercut using your thesaurus when seeking a novel word.
Strait
August 28, 2024 @ 4:04 pm
“that many others find annoying”
Yeah I am very sad that I wasn’t invited to your little cuddle fests where you discuss your ire for me.
Trigger
August 28, 2024 @ 4:06 pm
Folks, let’s please move on from these personal back and forths. Nobody is here for it.
Strait
August 28, 2024 @ 4:03 pm
Chris you seem like the type of person to always click the like button on your own comments.
I used to post on here by my first name. There was literally no thought or “plan” behind using Strait as a username. I have commented before on how I prefer to remain anonymous. I will frequently make fun of Zach Bryan’s music but I don’t want my most uncensored, mean-spirited but truthful remarks to be known by people that I know who love Zach Bryan.
Wilson Pick It
August 26, 2024 @ 12:23 pm
While I do appreciate the coverage of mainstream country, and I usually will check out these artists if they’re recommended here, it’s pretty rare that I can stomach it for more than one or two listens. Why? Absolutely cannot stand the production on these albums. I’m too used to the production style on Americana records, where typically the producer plays it straight. Mainstream country is so dumbed down and pop influenced. There are some exceptions like Chris Stapleton I guess.
Joseph W Robson
August 26, 2024 @ 3:03 pm
I Love Female Vocalist/Artist/Musicians, But The Days Of Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou and Tammy are Gone !, Until Recently When i Picked Up on SCM, Trigger has an Ear for Good Music. I Discovered “A LOT” of Gems as Far as Female Musicians/Singers, I am ABSOLUTLEY SURE, Country Radio Has NOT PICKED ON Katlin Butts (My Choice For Female of the Year), Or Emily Nenni. Both of these OVERLOOKED Musicians Have sold WELL at My Record Store and Just Waiting For the Right Program Director to Give them a Spin !
hoptpwntiger
August 26, 2024 @ 3:53 pm
Maybe a song or two of these will get re-recorded for Yellowstone like Zach Bryan’s “Condemned’ and Tim McGraw’s “Cowboy in Me.”
S. Craig Zahler
August 26, 2024 @ 8:34 pm
Cool review. The production on Whirlwind certainly feels pushed more toward the pseudo-rock, stadium-ready sound with small rests followed by big, landing on the downbeat chords and crashes to hook up with lighting gags, but the album feels a tiny bit more consistent than Bell Bottom Country. Still, Whirlwind lacks anything as good as Weak-End, Heart Like a Truck or Wildflowers and Wild Horses (or Things A Man Oughta Know from her debut).
I think Megan and Lainey’s previous albums were a full notch better than their 2024 releases, and that Carly Pearce is the one of these three rising stars whose newest is actually step up.
Lainey was excellent live and I do hope to see the others soon as well.
Roger Jokela
August 26, 2024 @ 9:39 pm
Trigger do you have a track list with the songwriters? Have a few friends that have written with her in the last 5 years and wonder if they got any cuts on this one. And I also always love seeing the track lists on your reviews.
Trigger
August 26, 2024 @ 9:48 pm
1. “Keep Up With Jones” (Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, Wyatt McCubbin)
2. “Country’s Cool Again” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Aslan Freeman)
3. “Good Horses (feat. Miranda Lambert)” (Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick)
4. “Broken Hearts Still Beat” (Lainey Wilson, Dallas Wilson, Josh Thompson, Blake Pendergrass)
5. “Whirlwind” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
6. “Call A Cowboy” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
7. “Hang Tight Honey” (Lainey Wilson, Driver Williams, Jason Nix, Paul Sikes)
8. “Bar In Baton Rouge” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Kasey Tyndall, Jason Nix)
9. “Counting Chickens” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Josh Kear, Dallas Wilson, Jon Decious)
10. “4x4xU” (Lainey Wilson, Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere)
11. “Ring Finger” (Lainey Wilson, Aaron Raitiere, Marti Dodson, Jon Decious)
12. “Middle Of It” (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
13. “Devil Don’t Go There” (Lainey Wilson, Abram Dean, Lance Miller, Joe Fox)
14. “Whiskey Colored Crayon” (Lainey Wilson, Josh Kear, Wyatt McCubbin)
CountryKnight
August 27, 2024 @ 6:02 am
“In for a word, in for a third.”
wayne
August 27, 2024 @ 11:39 am
That’s what I was thinking. I seriously doubt that many of these artists that have co-write credits really contribute much of anything. Of course, I have little to base that on but I think I would be correct. Just takes more away from the actual songwriters which is a shame.
MD
August 26, 2024 @ 10:19 pm
Good honest review. I like Lainey Wilson, but this album was underwhelming.
Dan Cooper
August 27, 2024 @ 5:43 am
Jay Joyce has always been an odd bug for me. He seems to work for a guy like Eric Church. But when he tries the same formula/style for other artists, never works quite as well. Lainey has used him for all her albums but I know Miranda Lambert, for example, only used him for one.
kross
August 27, 2024 @ 6:13 am
any “country” producer who uses 808 beats should be kicked out of Nashville to never be allowed back within the metropolitan area.
Loretta Twitty
August 27, 2024 @ 7:33 am
Keith Stegall? James Stroud? Buddy Cannon? Anyone one, EXCEPT->Jay Joyce. Stop it,already. That’s all,carry on.
Johnver
August 27, 2024 @ 7:13 pm
I wonder what will her album sounds like if Dave Cobb produced it.
HotWind
September 2, 2024 @ 4:27 pm
A triumphant! Please. I loved “Wildcard” by Miranda Lambert, but Joyce’s production cheapened it.
Tom
August 28, 2024 @ 6:44 am
…”whirlwind” isn’t a bad album at all but it is not an outright pleasant listen. quite a few of the production decisions taken, do not work out particularly supportively. the title track, for example, could have done with more production energy, whereas “hang tight honey” is mostly noisy like “bar in baton rouge”. the bold avant-garde sound of “ring finger” is quite fascinating but pushing the envelope just a little too hard. the album as a whole sounds to me like an intended long shot falling short.
ben
August 28, 2024 @ 10:32 am
Surprisingly, the production doesn’t bother me, and mostly fits. I can see how with a more pop leaning artist this could go in an unfortunate direction, but it doesn’t. The modern production touches aren’t too egregious – even if “What I Call a Cowboy” goes almost full pop. It still manages not to suck. I like this a LOT better than Bellbottom Country. It comes off as a much more country album, where that one was kind of southern blooze rock. Way better songs, stronger performances. Less posturing. It showcases her voice a lot more. I’ve gone from being net negative on LW to being maybe net positive. It’s a good record.
Nicole Kaleta
August 29, 2024 @ 1:33 pm
I have been listening to Lainey for about a year now, and have been listening to country music for as long as I can remember. I have definitely seen the “sound” evolve throughout my life. The genuine and older country has always been something I have appreciated, I was never too fond of the pop country sung by people who don’t know what it means to be country. Country music is not a genre it’s a lifestyle and I believe Lainey fully captures raw and authentic country music. She is truly a hard working woman and has stayed so true to herself in the midst of her upbringing.
Taylor 💜
September 7, 2024 @ 1:05 pm
Yawn. Outside of “Country’s Cool Again”, which I really enjoyed, this album is just so boring and mediocre to me. Honestly, outside of a few songs (the aforementioned Country’s Cool Again, These Boots, Things a Man Oughta Know, and Wildflowers and Wild Horses, all of which I really liked), Lainey is just a very mediocre artist to me. Give me Megan Moroney, Kaitlin Butts, Jenna Paulette, and Carly Pearce any day over her.