Since breaking out with her Girl Going Nowhere album Ashley McBryde has cultivated a distinct sound for herself, noticeably different than other women in mainstream country music. Despite still being on a major Nashville label, she has refused to follow trends, instead sticking with a formula of albums filled with passionate heartland rock alongside more emotive, acoustic country ballads. Her only real deviation from that path has been her collaborative Lindeville, which presented a more humorous and playful kind of country music.   

While previous album ‘The Devil I Know’ was stacked with drinking songs, I hadn’t actually realised that alcohol had become such a problem for Ashley until hearing this new album. Maybe that tells you something about country music – I just thought all the drinking songs were just lyrical tropes of the genre and not personal revelations about how she’d basically become the ‘Blackout Betty’ she sang about. 

Having had an amazing run through to the Grammys earlier this year with Girl Goin Nowhere, Ashley McBryde had some really strong momentum to build on heading into this new album Never Will. Sure there has been limited success at country radio (which is insane considering how good her singles are) but she hasn’t let that stop her. In the end it is the live show where an artist can build an audience of fans who buy records, merch and make careers. And live is where this artist shines. Most of these country chart toppers will soon be forgotten and Ashley will still be out there playing to big crowds in the decades to come. Talent, grit and songs will always win out. Continue reading “Album Review: Ashley McBryde – Never Will” →