Kailey Nicole is certainly not new to the country music scene. She first began singing and performing at the age of 9 and officially broke into the country music scene when she was only 16 years old with her EP Nashville Stickup. After taking some time off to study music at the University of Southern California, she is preparing to make her comeback with the release of her self-titled EP which is due to be released on 1/24/20. Known for her unique blend of traditional and contemporary country music, this EP will be sure to draw in fans of old and new country music alike.
The EP starts with the song “Brand New Day.” The track starts out with a folk oriented acoustic guitar riff but quickly turns into a more upbeat party anthem. The funky bass pairs perfectly with the beautifully executed guitar solo at the bridge. The song makes you feel as though you’re sitting on the beach sipping your favorite drink and listening to the waves crash ashore. The mood shifts with the next track “Change My Ways.” The lyrics reflect a woman dealing with a broken heart and having to let go of things that she loves so as not to be reminded of her past. Kailey’s soulful vocals really shine through on this track.
The next song, “Country Love Song,” starts out with an enchanting, melodic guitar riff. Nicole uses this platform perfectly to construct a slightly off-centered love song. The lyrics convey the way that a person views the one they love with a different set of eyes than anyone else. By the end of this song, you too will fall in love, with Nicole’s passionate vocal delivery. Moving on from here, the next song, “Diamonds and Coal,” finds Nicole exploring her traditional country roots. The music contains a slow and steady rockabilly guitar riff straight out of the pages of Johnny Cash, while the vocals pack the type of soulful punch that one would expect from Patsy Cline or Tammy Wynette. Written from the viewpoint of a scorned lover, the phrase, “When you lose a diamond, all that’s left is coal” is sure to resonate with many who have been through similar heartache.
From here, we get into the track, “Save Me for a Rainy Day.” This song contains what is likely the best vocal performance of the album. You can really feel the emotion in Nicole’s voice as she pleads with the one she loves not to leave. “Let me break your walls!” she cries out in the song. Those five words really sum up the overall tone of the song. Nicole closes out the album with the much more up tempo song, “Tennessee.” What better way to end the album than with a song about her journey in the world of country music and her move to Tennessee. Nicole makes her intentions very clear with this final song and lets the listeners know that she is here to stay and we will see her name in lights.
In a genre in which it can be hard to standout, Nicole has put together a very special group of songs that are sure to set her apart in the country music scene. At the young age of 21, Nicole has already developed an identity and sound in country music that is uniquely hers. There is no doubt that this EP is just the beginning of many musical accomplishments to come.
By I’m Music Magazine Contributing Writer Jason Jarvis
