The Big Loud x Songs & Daughters singer-songwriter made a splash last spring with her debut EP, Introducing: Lauren Watkins. Now, the rising star is back with her follow-up EP, Introducing: The Heartbreak. In many ways, the vulnerable 6-track project will continue to share Watkins’ story with the world– This time, by chronicling her experiences of falling in love and navigating heartbreak. She shares in a press release,
“This project is me just going one step further in introducing myself to the world,” she continues. “I feel like these songs are a perfect taste of the type of songs that I love; love to listen to and love to write. I wrote all of them with people that I love, that I’ve looked up to for a while and have learned so much from, so to have them on this project is amazing, not to mention the artist collaborations that I got to do with Carter and Jake. I’m just really excited and happy to put this music out there and see where it takes us.” (Waktins, PR team)
In Fine County Line, the rising Nashville star sings of falling for someone and soon-to-be-lovers who are both hesitant to make the first move. In Jealous Of Jane, Watkins brings to light the complex emotions one feels while witnessing your ex move on with someone else. Here, she sings of feeling jealous of the new woman in his life, while simultaneously not wanting to rekindle things with him when she knows he isn’t right for her.
Cut from the same cloth, “Fly On The Wall” continues the tale of jealousy as she and her Big Loud label mate Jake Worthington sing of watching an ex move on with someone new. In “Stuck In My Ways,” she highlights the habits she can’t quite shake and fully owns them all. She’s not waiting for an ex to return and is happy living as her authentic self. It’s upbeat and catchy, and will surely have you turning up the dial and jamming along. On the other hand, the subsequent track, “Cowboys On Music Row,” is slower-paced and has airs of nostalgia. Featuring Carter Faith, the dynamic pair sing of missing the glory days of classic country music, the true American cowboy, rodeos & outlaws. Lauren closes out the EP with “The Table,” a track that lays all the ups and downs of a relationship that’s coming to an end out in the open.
The standout tracks are “Stuck In My Ways” and “Jealous Of Jane”. The former may have the most radio-friendly production, but it still has enough of Watkin’s flare to make it a must-listen. On the other hand, the latter offers a fresh perspective/angle on your typical country breakup song. In addition, each track on the EP is lyrically strong, especially for an artist at the stage in her career she’s at. Not to mention, she’s co-written the tracks with many of Nashville’s most prominent songwriters, including Nicolle Gaylon.
Overall, the whole EP is rather intimate– akin to the feel of a singer-songwriter round/showcase. While many tracks fuse contemporary and traditional country, the influence of the 90s country she grew up on had on her music is clear. All that being said, the EP is still versatile enough production-wise that some tracks can thrive on radio, while others will find success amongst tried & true country fans on a jukebox in a Nashville bar. Watkins’ has set a solid foundation for what’s to come. Introducing: The Heartbreak is a recommended listen.
INTRODUCING: THE HEARTBREAK FULL TRACKLIST:
- Fine County Line (Lauren Watkins, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
- Jealous of Jane (Lauren Watkins, Caroline Watkins, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
- Fly On The Wall (Lauren Watkins, Andy Sheridan, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)*
- Stuck In My Ways (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, David Garcia, Emily Landis)
- Cowboys on Music Row (Lauren Watkins, Jessie Jo Dillon, Carter Faith, Lauren Hungate, Ashley Monroe, Caroline Watkins)**
- The Table (Lauren Watkins, Nicolle Galyon, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
Listen to the Introducing: The Heartbreak EP Now:
Stay up to Date with Lauren Watkins:
Kelly, Brayln.”Featured: Big Loud x Songs & Daughters singer-songwriter, Lauren Watkins”. Photo courtesy of PR team. Accessed Nov 17 2023.
PR team. “Lauren Watkins’ Six-Song Sequel Introducing: The Heartbreak Out Now ″. Nov 17 2023. Press Release.
Unknown. “Featured: Official cover art for Lauren Watkins’ EP, Introducing: The Heartbreak”. Courtesy of Big Loud Records x Songs & Daughters.” Graphic courtesy of Big Loud Records x Songs & Daughters. Accessed Nov 17 2023.
