In her second studio album, Lauren Alaina strips down and writes an extremely raw and super personal album, titled ‘Road Less Traveled.’ All twelve songs were co-written by her and all touch close to her heart and experiences. She focuses on a message of self love and never letting people dictate who you are. Alaina takes you on a journey of the complexities of her life but does so with grace and sassiness. The album showcases her amazing voice in almost every way possible. Her vocals hit you straight in the core during her slow ballads but then turn it up and empower you in the others. With a plethora of co-writers and being produced by the infamous busbee (Keith Urban, Maren Morris, and Lady Antebellum), this album is sure to become listeners’ new favorite.
1) ‘Doin’ Fine’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Emily Shackleton, and busbee.
Impression: In the opening song, Lauren addresses the fact that everyone is broken at times. The best thing to do during your time of “brokenness” is to keep an open heart and to keep pushing through. It may not be alright for the time being, but it will get better and you will be “doin’ fine” again. This song is an anthem to keep pushing through the hard times and empowers people that not being okay is okay, and that if you keep going, you’ll come out on top.
Favorite Lyrics: I guess you can’t be free without a fight…
2) ‘My Kinda People’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Emily Weisband, and busbee.
Impression: This is a fresh sounding song that replicates the imagination of it being played in a car with all the windows down on a summer day with all your friends. It’s a bubbly song that makes you want to bob your head along to the beat. ‘My Kinda People’ stands for equality; that no matter what kind of music you listen to, or what kind of shoes you wear, you are the right kind of person. She inspires people to be themselves and to do what you do without hesitation!
Favorite Lyrics: If you can start a party anywhere you are, you don’t care who’s watching, you just let go…
3) ‘Three’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Seth Ennis, and Jordan Reynolds.
Impression: The slow ballad of ‘Three’ is a heartfelt song that touches close to Alaina’s heart. This song truly shows off her voice and how beautifully moving it is with her strong vocals. ‘Three’ talks about the troubles of homesickness while being out on the road. She misses home and everything that comes with it. She wants a sign to know she is doing the right thing, while Momma and Daddy are telling her “sing her heart out.” In the end, she tells us that it is worth it and she loves what she does.
Favorite Lyrics: Six years of missing home, for three minutes on the radio…
4) ‘Road Less Traveled’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Jesse Frasure, and Meghan Trainor.
Impression: The popular 2016 released song and title track is about adventuring and getting yourself out there. It is an empowering song about self love. With its upbeat tempo and lyrics, Alaina urges people to take the road that not everyone takes and to make it your own personal journey, even if it doesn’t meet the standards of today’s society. Being yourself is the best thing you can do. Lauren really focuses on loving who you are and this song is a great depiction of that message!
Favorite Lyrics: Why do we analyze, break out, and criticize the crazy ones?
5) ‘Queen of Hearts’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Lindsey Lee, and Victoria Banks.
Impression: The fifth song on the album is extremely catchy and could be another radio release for Lauren. It’s a relatable song that talks about a boy having a chance with a girl, who in this case is the Queen of Hearts. However, this boy is stuck between making the girl his, or continuing to search for something else. A poker game and the Queen of Hearts are seen as a metaphor for the situation at hand. This one will sure to leave you humming the tune after you’ve listened to it.
Favorite Lyrics: You underestimate what you got, love is worth the wait, take the shot. Don’t be so quick to fold your cards, you just might have a Queen of Hearts…
6) ‘Think Outside the Boy’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, and Emily Shackleton.
Impression: The middle song of the album is on the slower side, but has its glimpses of catchy melodies. When you’re young a girl and you find this one boy, you think he’ll be your forever. However, sometimes, and if not most of the time, he’s not and you end up finding someone better. This song is about not investing yourself into someone who doesn’t fit your definition. You need to love yourself first before you can love someone else. “Thinking outside the boy” means to think of yourself and what you believe in first and foremost. No one can control you but you and it’s never too late to gain that control back.
Favorite Lyrics: I believed that he was my forever, he was all I’d ever need. But I gave up what I wanted and I gave him control…
7) ‘Painting Pillows’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Jack Rimes, and Alex Masters.
Impression: ‘Painting Pillows’ is a song that relates to the pain that is felt in the aftermath of a breakup. I think a lot of girls are familiar with the feeling of lying in their bed and crying silently, “painting their pillows” with their tears and mascara over a breakup that left them hurting. Even when you think you’re over it, the pain will creep up on you and hit you unexpectedly. This song is incredibly raw and real, and it does not sugar coat the pain of a breakup with its powerful instrumentals and lyrics.
Favorite Lyrics: Boy you’re like a tattoo in my head, like you never left this bed…
8) ‘Next Boyfriend’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Emily Weisband, and Matt McVaney.
Impression: In a bounce back song from the previous ‘Painting Pillows,’ Alaina gets back on her feet and starts to meet new guys. She sees one that catches her eye and she realizes that she wants him to become her next boyfriend. The lyrics are playfully flirtatious and the song is a good one to jam out to when you’re ready to move on from the past. The song was included on her 2015 self titled EP and is now included on her second studio album.
Favorite Lyrics: Boy you ain’t no flame or a could’ve been, no…
9) ‘Crashin’ the Boys Club’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Emily Weisband, and Johan Fransson.
Impression: In this catchy, upbeat song, Alaina talks about how she desires to drink beers, talk about high school, and just chill out like the boys do. She is sick of worrying about maintaining her appearance and gossiping girls. She would much rather be laying low and having fun, so she wants to “crash the boys club.”
Favorite Lyrics: My boyfriend and all of his friends and of their friends are drinking beer right now, downtown, just keeping it cool…
10) ‘Same Day Different Bottle’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Caitlyn Smith, and Dan Couch.
Impression: In this beautifully performed ballad, Alaina’s voice shines through as the main factor of the song. Her vocals are beyond powerful and will shake you to your core as they consume the entire track. There are soft guitars to accompany her voice which makes it that much more powerful of a track. The song is about a person dealing with alcohol addiction. She sees them struggling everyday and she has tried to intervene. However, the efforts have not amounted to anything. It is a tough thing to see and it takes a toll on her.
Favorite Lyrics: I watched you try to drown the past, but those demons just keep dragging you back…
11) ‘Holding the Other’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Emily Weisband, and Eric Olson.
Impression: To switch the tempo to a lighter one, the eleventh song is about your significant other keeping you afloat. This person takes your pain away, puts you back together, brings you back to the surface after a hard time, and makes you feel as though you can win any war. You feel as though you can accomplish anything as long as you’re is holding their hand.
Favorite Lyrics: You’re the breath in my lungs when the gravity’s pulling me under.
12) ‘Pretty’ – Written by Lauren Alaina, Felicia Barton, and Emily Weisband.
Impression: The final song of the album is a song dedicated to anyone who feels as though they aren’t pretty enough or good enough. No one can tell you what pretty is and that there is a standard for being beautiful. Everyone is pretty in their own ways. Be brave and confident in yourself. Self love is such an important concept that Lauren wanted to close out the album with.
Favorite Lyrics: There’s no difference between a mirror and a liar because pretty is as pretty does.
The ‘Road Less Traveled‘ is available on January 27th. Lauren Alaina came back stronger than ever and created an amazing album with inspiring messages behind its songs. This album is a must listen from start to finish. She is also touring with Martina McBride for the CMT Next Women of Country Love Unleashed Tour 2017, which kicks off in February, and will stop at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on March 10th.
You can purchase ‘Road Less Traveled‘ on iTunes here.
You can purchase tickets for Alaina’s show at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium here.