Lanie Gardner: ‘A Songwriter’s Diary’ – Debut Album Review
Lanie Gardner shares her debut album, A Songwriter’s Diary, officially out now, October 25th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
WIth a vulnerability-laced smoky and soulful voice, rising star Lanie Gardner brings something special to country music. On her debut album, A Songwriter’s Diary, the singer-songwriter pairs acoustic-leaning instrumentation with bluesy riffs and confessional lyrics as she traverses through life’s most tender and trying moments.
Released via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the ten track collection offers a uniquely personal insight into the mind of the brilliant artist, who independently penned each song. From the opening notes of “Somewhere, Nowhere in Carolina” to the closing moments of “Neon Notions,” it’s clear that each note and riff is precisely placed with the utmost attention to detail.
For the North Carolina native, the album’s opening track provides a truly poignant look into her experiences in the music industry, a bittersweet take on the struggles that come with pursuing a dream while also longing for the place you know best. “I was defeated and wanted nothing more than to be ‘somewhere’ back home and ‘nowhere’ in my career,” Gardner revealed. “Today, I write songs for my fans, my friends, and my family who pulled me through such a dark time. But that day… I wrote a song for me.”
In the stripped-down but striking offering, her voice is laced with emotion as she looks at everything fame is and isn’t.
“Sometimes I’d rather be // Catching fireflies than love bugs // Telling stories instead of lies // Skipping stones instead of getting stoned // To try to find some peace of mind // Hopping ditches instead of planes // Pulling wagons instead of these chains // Sometimes instead of keeping this up // I’d rather be somewhere, nowhere in Carolina”
For the 25-year-old, the release of the album is bittersweet, a culmination of hard work paired with heartbreak as her hometown of Burnsville was recently impacted by Hurricane Helene. “This is a bittersweet moment for me, I pictured it differently as I prepared and recorded these songs over the past several months,” Gardner revealed on social media of the track. “These songs tell my story— they are about where I grew up, my family, things I experienced. Now all I have are the memories and these songs which were written in Burnsville. I’m thankful for everyone who has been along with me for this journey— I can’t wait for you all to hear this music.”
The album’s title was inspired by an Instagram series of the same name, her voice and style remnant of early works from Kacey Musgraves as she blends country instrumentation with bluesy guitars and a uniquely soulful tone. This is endlessly apparent on tunes like “Lord Knows,” a swampy-infused slow burn that’s best suited for the confessional. Here, she’s dealing with her demons and desires to be better, wondering if she’ll ever get there.
“One Day” is a truly unique moment, lyrically grappling with “loving something that ain’t mine.” Here, she’s the other woman, in love but cast aside as she longs for someone bad for her, imploring him to “Tell me you don’t feel something, in all the moments we’ve had.”
Likewise, both “Cry” and the groove-laden “Cry Me a River” find her wishing an ex less than well, voice laced with palpable emotions. On the latter, her voice perfectly punctuates bluesy guitar riffs as the song builds to an epic climax, Gardner snarling, “I hope she leaves you, I hope she deceives you, I hope she breaks your heart, Like you broke mine, I hope she makes you cry.”
“Shadows of the Night” allows Gardner to flex her impressive range, while “Lady in the Sky” offers an ethereal and almost prayerful moment, as she begs the lady in the sky to “bring me a dream.”
Much like “Carolina,” both “Mountains and Miller” and “Letters to Home” find her tender for her hometown. On “Mountains,” she waxes nostalgic over picking guitars, longing for simpler days or bonfires, sunrises, and Miller Light, musing “I know this town like the back of my hand.” Meanwhile, “Letters” finds her assuring her parents that she’s doing just fine. It’s an incredibly powerful track and her voice breaks with emotion over acoustic guitars, imploring her parents to rest while she’s out on the road. “Letters to home,” She sings. “Say your baby girl is doing just fine.”
The LP ends with “Neon Notions,” a haunting and melodic declaration of growth and strength that wraps the collection perfectly. Gardner is incredibly vulnerable and transparent on the track, just as she is through the entire album, and listeners should be thankful for even a glimpse into A Songwriter’s Diary.
A Songwriter’s Diary Track List:
- Somewhere, Nowhere in Carolina
- Lord Knows
- One Day
- Shadows
- Cry
- Lady in the Sky
- Mountains and Miller
- Cry Me a River
- Letters to Home
- Neon Notions
Country Swag Picks:
- One Day
- Somewhere, Nowhere in Carolina
- Cry
Lanie Gardner’s debut album, ‘A Songwriter’s Diary,’ out now on all streaming platforms.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Lanie Gardner releases.
To keep up with Lanie Gardner, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
A Songwriter’s Diary is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
