After releasing a fantastic EP called ‘Country Curious’ last year, Lola Kirke followed that up with a book of personal essays called ‘Wild West Village’ which explored her upbringing and life in a bohemian family. By moving to Nashville and leaning towards country music she’s been walking a different path than might be expected from your typical artsy New Yorker.
“I don’t want to fit in anymore,” she said in a recent interview. “I like who I am, and I think it’s exhausting trying to be someone else.”
The title track of this new album ‘Trailblazer’ sums up that attitude – she seems to be embracing herself, her failures and life diversions, knowing they might lead her somewhere more interesting. Her fiercely independent spirit blazes through the song, even if it’s about failure it’s about beautiful failure and the possibility that comes with just trying. Working with Kacey’s producer Daniel Tashian is another great fit for her – someone who can coax the best out of someone while keeping things sounding laid-back and cool. There’s a brilliantly dark and self-deprecating humour to the lyrics throughout this album.
The casual breeziness of ‘Easy on You’ also reflects a more relaxed attitude towards genre than her last couple of releases. By letting go of trying to sound country she has created the most authentic music of her career so far.
Still country fans will find much to love on the album such as drinking songs ‘241s’ and ‘Hungover Thinking’. The latter is brutally funny, and was written with mother-daughter duo Caitlin and Liz Rose.
On a more Tom Petty vibe is ‘Raised by Wolves’, which showcases how great her voice is. Another standout is her body positive anthem ‘2 Damn Sexy’ where she declares ‘I’m done hating myself’. We could all do with a dose of that kind of self-acceptance in our lives.
The three most interesting songs emotionally on the album are written about her family. Firstly she sings joyfully of her mother on ‘Marlboro Lights and Madonna’ – bringing the woman to life in a visceral, vivid way. ‘Zeppelin III’ does a similar job for her father, albeit with a more dark tone. She also sings of her sister on ‘Mississippi, My Sister, Elvis & Me’ taking us on a madcap road trip that illuminates the reality of sisterhood in all its pain and glory.
Finishing with ‘Bury Me in NYC’ is a perfect end – she’s at peace with herself, where she’s from and that sets her free to live her own life. She’s going her own way – wherever that may take her.
Every release from Lola Kirke has raised my opinion of her and ‘Trailblazer’ is her best yet. A really engaging, entertaining and emotionally astute collection of songs by an artist who deserves to be taken seriously.
Highway Queens 
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