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NYCS First Impression Kelsea Ballerini Releases ‘kelsea’

kelsea

Some might say a debut album is most important; it’s the introduction. Some might say the sophomore album is most crucial; it’s where you prove you survived the “slump”. But perhaps an artists’ third album is the most prominent. It’s where an artist really comes into themselves and their sound. Kelsea Ballerini’s new album, kelsea, proves to be just that: self-aware.

“I had to get to know myself at 26 and realize that I’m not the same person who wrote the first or second albums,” Ballerini told The Washington Post. “I still have bits of that confidence and that swagger in this album. But it’s definitely paired with a lot more truth-telling.”

The opener is “overshare”, where Ballerini sings, “Momma says, that I never met a stranger/Strange thing is everybody’s strangers”. All about sharing a little too much, it takes on a similar approach to Thomas Rhett’s “Life Changes”. She paints the picture with humorous anecdotes and is sure not to take herself too seriously. Ballerini wrote the track with Jesse Frasure (a writer on “Life Changes”), Josh Osborne and Tayla Parx. As she explains all of this, she continues to overshare, even if it’s “TMI”.

Insecurity and reflection anchor both sides of the record. On songs like “needy” and “love me like a girl”, she dives into the feeling of being secure enough as an individual to need her significant other. “You’ve never needed anybody, but now you need me/I was the same/But things have changed/I’m needy.” She has established boundaries, and she knows when she wants to change them. The previously released “homecoming queen” served as the lead single and is a refreshing and beautifully simple take on self-worth.

A standout on the record is the heart-wrenching ballad “love and hate”. Penned by Ballerini, Ross Copperman, and Ed Sheeran, the track is about how humans walk the line between love and hate. Her vocals are stunning, and the harmonic strings soar throughout, making for a pixelating experience.

Ballerini has two collaborations on kelsea, one with indie-popstar Halsey and the other with legendary country superstar Kenny Chesney. “the other girl” is a glitzy and ominous story about two girls figuring out which one is the “other girl” in their shared partner’s mind. “I bet you’re bold/I bet that’s why/You seem to occupy his mind/I bet you’re smart/But do you know about me?” Ballerini sings on the first verse. What’s special about it is that neither girl blames the other, and neither is bitter – it’s simply introspective. Ballerini and Halsey’s voices blend well together, creating a sound that is equal parts curious and hurt.

“half of my hometown” is the moment on kelsea. It’s an ode to Ballerini’s hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, and and pays homage to those who are as lost as they are found about where they stand as they grow up. In both “la” and “half of my hometown”, Ballerini seems to be pulled in two different directions. It was written in Florida with the incredible Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins (the fivesome now calls their writing group The Wet Dandelions, according to Ballerini’s live stream). Chesney, a Knoxville-native as well, appeared on Ballerini’s live stream March 19th to discuss his connection to the song. “It spoke to me in a lot of ways… [reminded me] of how I grew up, the streets I drove down, because, when I listened to that song and it just reminded me so much of my own family, the struggles I experienced when I first left,” Chesney explained. This reflects perfectly in the slow, nostalgic guitar-driven tune. “The other half of my hometown/They all got out/Some went north/Some went south/Still lookin’ for a feelin’ half of us ain’t found/So stay or leave/Part of me will always be/Half of my hometown”. Regardless if this becomes a single, this will always be a pivotal part of Ballerini’s catalog in years to come.

“la” wraps the album up, which is a deeply personal poem-set-to-music that Ballerini wrote herself. What’s special about Ballerini as a songwriter is that everyone can find their story within hers. It extends beyond universality – she is just like the rest of us. In a song like “la”, you can hear her struggle, and it’s so easy to empathize with.

Ballerini notes several times throughout the album that she always has something to say. Sometimes it’s to the wrong people at the right time. But often, it’s coming straight from her heart and it needs to be said. She’s as glittery and envelope-pushing as she is transparent and sincere creating the perfect balance. She’s found her way, and now she wants to re-introduce herself to you. On that note, it’s nice to meet you again, Kelsea.

kelsea by Kelsea Ballerini Tracklist:

overshare
club
homecoming queen?
the other girl (with Halsey)
love me like a girl
love and hate
bragger
hole in the bottle
half of my hometown (feat. Kenny Chesney)
the way I used to
needy
a country song
la

NYCS Staff Picks:

love and hate
half of my hometown
the way i used to
needy

To keep up with Kelsea Ballerini, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

kelsea is now 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.

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

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Kelsea Ballerini Releases “la” and New Album Details

Kelsea Ballerini la

Every album Kelsea Ballerini has released so far has had a solo-write. The First Time had “First Time”, Unapologetically had “High School”, and kelsea, Ballerini’s third album due March 20th now has “la”. The latter was released today as an instant-grat track to celebrate the news of her upcoming record.

“I’ve got a love and hate relationship with LA”, she sings on the first line that doubles as the hook. It instantly grabs your attention, because it’s clear that she’s about to tell a story.

And she does. It’s the story of a girl who loves the city lights but misses home/Nashville. In California, she plays dress-up, debates calling famous friends, and questions if she’ll be invited to the party. It’s this tug of war feeling like she’s not cool enough to be in her own shoes and feeling like LA is her place. Each time she dips her toe into the ocean or takes a step onto a red carpet, however, she finds herself looking at real estate and falling in love with the red sunsets.

The storyline is so compelling because of its overall relatability. It’s about anxiety and navigation, and how to find your place in a world that feels so foreign. The bridge of the song is where it all comes together brilliantly. “Sometimes it feels like it’s all real but nothing here is as it seems,” she sings softly. “I ask myself, does it feed my soul or my anxiety / Carpet’s red, ego’s fed, but it’s myself that I have to face / I’ve got a love and hate relationship with LA”.

Vocally, Ballerini’s performance is beautiful. She sings delicately and honestly as if reading an entry from her diary. Technically she is. “It’s the most vulnerable thing I’ve publically shared,” she said on Instagram. “It came out as a stream of consciousness that fell into the form of a poem.”

Ballerini produced the song with Jimmy Robbins, who co-wrote and co-produced her last two singles. Together, they have created a sound that is guitar-heavy and stacks of vocals and harmonies. It’s memorable and distinctive, and perfectly reflects the vibe of the song.

“la” is the 13th and final track off kelsea, and it makes sense that it is. It tells Ballerini’s whole story, which is that she’s as lost as she is found. Each song that’s been released from this project so far has said the same thing: that she’s human. It’s a new year, a new decade, and a new Kelsea.

To keep up with Kelsea Ballerini, you can follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Her new album kelsea is out March 20th, and you can pre-order it here.

“la” is now 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook:

Kelsea Ballerini Releases Introspective “club”

club kelsea ballerini

It’s not every day that an artist can release a song that’s as catchy as it is authentic and relatable, and that’s always been how Kelsea Ballerini writes her songs. Her second single off her upcoming third LP, slated for next spring, “club”, does not deviate from this pattern.

Although this song was written with “homecoming queen?” collaborators Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins, this song tackles a different side of the singer-songwriter.“I don’t want to wake up on the floor of a bathroom / Looking at the stamps on my hand like a tattoo / Saying I’ll never do that again if I don’t have to / And I don’t have to, go to the club,” Ballerini sings on the bridge.

It shines as a confessional about Ballerini being in her 20s and wanting to have fun, but not the kind of fun that requires being reckless. It’s definitely more “sassy”, a word she often describes herself as. It’s anthemic like “Miss Me More” is, so fans of that song will love the new track.

“club”  is the first track Ballerini has had a hand in producing. She co-produced it with Jimmy Robbins, and it’s a pop-country smash. In an interview with Smooth Country, she said, “This is the most involved I’ve been [with my records]. For the last two records, I popped in, did vocals and left, and let the producers do their thing. And this time I’m super involved in it, which has been a challenge, but I’ve learned a lot, which is fun.”

Vocally, Ballerini has been exploring new sounds, she can be found singing in her head voice more often on her two most recent releases, which sonically sounds beautiful and gives a new rich texture to the lyrics. The song has a swelling guitar and driving drum track that flows throughout the track, and later on, in the choruses, Ballerini has some of her friends sing backup vocals with her.

To keep up with Kelsea Ballerini, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“club” is now 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on InstagramTwitter & Facebook: