Lainey Wilson: ‘Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ – Album Review

BBR Music Group’s artist on the rise, Lainey Wilson has released her new firecracker of a debut album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’, today, February 19th. Take a look below as we dive deeper into the record.

The fiery, smokey, opening track “Neon Diamonds” is the perfect way to set the scene. It sounds like a dive bar meets a stadium show: it will be an absolute number once performed live. There are a bunch of songs on Sayin What I’m Thinkin’ that match this energy. Songs like “Small Town Girl” and “Straight Up Sideways” have that southern rock, outlaw feel to it. It’s reminiscent of some of Brothers Osborne’s more recent work, but at the same time, feels very distinct to Wilson.

The current single “Things A Man Oughta Know” leans on the softer side of the record. Simple kick drum, guitar, and mandolin flood the track beautifully, and you can hear traces of Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss in her voice. Lyrically, it’s actually a very empowering song; the hook is “I know a few things a man oughta know”. Throughout the record, Wilson is able to both enable and break gender and geographical stereotypes, which makes it an interesting dynamic.

Lainey Wilson's debut album, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin', is available everywhere now, February 19th

Lainey Wilson’s debut album, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’, is available everywhere now, February 19th

Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ was produced by the iconic Jay Joyce, and it’s hard to think of a better fit for Wilson’s sound. Together, they found a middle ground in both the gritty and the sweet parts of life.

“Keeping Bars In Business” is a standout moment on the record. It is conversational and vulnerable and still has that clever chorus. Between Wilson’s vocals and Joyce’s dreamy guitars, you feel as if you’re in a trance. “My best friend’s ship is sinking, she thinks her man’s been cheating/And me I put my dog down yesterday”. The lyrics remain captivating as the song continues – it’s about the highs and lows of life and where you go to celebrate or mourn. “As the world keeps on spinning/we’re keeping bars in business”.

The last two songs are perhaps the best on the record, respectively, “Rollin’ Stone” and title-track “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’”. “Rolling Stone” has the rhythm of a train on a track, and it’s all about how Wilson doesn’t feel like she can be tied down. “Like a feather in the wind, I can be gone/No you don’t give a rock to a rolling stone”, she sings matter-of-factly on the chorus.

“Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’” is where Wilson’s vocals sound most pristine, and it’s the closest thing to a requited love song, whether it be to a significant other, friend, or herself. “With you, I’ve only ever been who I am,” she sings in a whisper before the chorus. “Even I can’t believe I’m sayin’ what I’m thinking”, she states.

As a whole, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ is one of the most authentic records released in a while. It doesn’t feel overdone or like a persona, it feels like a mission statement. It’s clear that this is only the beginning for Lainey Wilson, and with 12 songs as compelling as these, the sky is the limit for her.

Want an autographed copy of the album?
Had to Instagram  & Enter to Win
*All winners will be notified by Tuesday, March 2nd via e-mail or DM. 

Lainey Wilson Giveaway

NYCS Picks:
1. Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’
2. Rolling Stone
3. Things A Man Oughta Know
4. Keeping Bars in Business

Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ Track Listing:

1. “Neon Diamonds”— (Lainey Wilson, McV, Matt Rogers)
2. “Sunday Best” —(Lainey Wilson, Brice Long, Shane Minor)
3. “Things A Man Oughta Know” —(Lainey Wilson, Jonathon Singleton, Jason Nix)
4. “Small Town, Girl” —(Lainey Wilson, Chris Yarber, Dallas Wilson)
5. “LA” —(Lainey Wilson, Hannah Dasher, Frank Romano)
6. “Dirty Looks” —(Lainey Wilson, Smith Ahnquist, Brent Anderson)
7. “Pipe” —(Lainey Wilson, Luke Dick, John Pierce)
8. “Keeping Bars In Business” —(Lainey Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Matt Rogers)
9. “Straight Up Sideways” —(Lainey Wilson, Reid Isbell, Jason Nix, Dan Alley)
10. “WWDD” —(Lainey Wilson, Casey Beathard, Michael Heeney)
11. “Rolling Stone” —(Lainey Wilson, Tammi Kidd, Brent Anderson)
12. “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’” —(Lainey Wilson, Jay Knowles)

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Lainey Wilson releases.

To keep up with Lainey Wilson, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ 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.