
For someone whose live show is considered one of the best in Nashville, it makes sense that Lindsay Ell has begun releasing songs that would be incredibly fun in a live setting. Ell is quickly developing her signature sound, veering away from her old, rock influenced sound, and now incorporating pop sounds into her country songs. This song and her last single release "By The Way" are both songs that are built for a live show.
"All Alright" might be the happiest and most positive song to be released by a mainstream country act this year. The upbeat tempo and Ell's vocals scream sunshine. The lyrics focus on turning bad situations into good situations, with Ell singing in the chorus, "if we go broke, we go broke together, if you're with me, baby, it's gonna be all alright." The sing-a-long at the end of the chorus has amazing live show potential, as already shown in the live version that the Grand Ole Opry released in their 'Discoveries from the Circle' EP, featuring Ell, Chris Janson and Mo Pitney.
This song isn't the song to save country music. Saying that this song is a true country song wouldn't be an accurate statement, and I'm sure that Ell's team wasn't trying to put out a true country song with this release, because that wouldn't get Ell a radio hit. But radio appeal is not the best way to judge a song. There are too many songs being released by artists that are released for radio, not released because it's a great song. "All Alright" is a fun pop-country jam. But it also will never be an incredible song. At this point, artists have to chose what they want to be remembered for: songs that are incredible, or for songs tailored to radio trends, which will most likely be out of style in a year. There's no argument over whether Ell has talent. But what she chooses to do with that talent will determine her success.
Overall rating: 3 ½ crowns
This song isn't the song to save country music. Saying that this song is a true country song wouldn't be an accurate statement, and I'm sure that Ell's team wasn't trying to put out a true country song with this release, because that wouldn't get Ell a radio hit. But radio appeal is not the best way to judge a song. There are too many songs being released by artists that are released for radio, not released because it's a great song. "All Alright" is a fun pop-country jam. But it also will never be an incredible song. At this point, artists have to chose what they want to be remembered for: songs that are incredible, or for songs tailored to radio trends, which will most likely be out of style in a year. There's no argument over whether Ell has talent. But what she chooses to do with that talent will determine her success.
Overall rating: 3 ½ crowns