"Hell I'm patient, as a saint y'all! Savin' pennies and payin' dues," Lacy Cavalier sings on the first track of her second EP and best collection of music to date. Cavalier's last EP Louisianne was an excellent first EP, introducing her pop tinged but country rooted music, along with her soulful voice to the country music industry. But Savin' Pennies Payin' Dues not only represents an evolution of her sound over two years, but it also establishes her voice as a songwriter, and what she's trying to say through her music, at least right now. And if this EP does as well as I expect it to, she's going to have a lot of room to say a lot more.
The title, Savin' Pennies, Payin' Dues comes from the first track of the EP, titled "Waitress." The lyrics of this song are the smartest on the EP, with lines like "Everybody knows who I am, everybody knows my name / Cause I gotta name tag on my shirt right next to a ketchup stain." The chorus ends with: "I'm just waiting tables / waiting on the tables to turn." It doesn't look like Cavalier will have to save pennies and pay her dues much longer, as she jis touring with Chase Rice, and her and her music continue to gain momentum. This song in particular takes a specific circumstance and applies it to all people waiting for their dreams to come true, or their 'someday.' The song masterfully mixes more modern country production with classic sounds, making it a very strong opener.
Next comes "Lazy River." Cavalier takes a bit more of a classic angle on a country song on this one, throwing back to some old Brad Paisley and some more recent summer anthems on country radio. It's the least unique song on the record, at least in lyrical content, but even when Cavalier goes a bit more mainstream, she still maintains a bit more traditional country sound.
Next comes "Lazy River." Cavalier takes a bit more of a classic angle on a country song on this one, throwing back to some old Brad Paisley and some more recent summer anthems on country radio. It's the least unique song on the record, at least in lyrical content, but even when Cavalier goes a bit more mainstream, she still maintains a bit more traditional country sound.
The lead single, "Put You Down" is a great representation of her sound, and could possibly do great things for Cavalier. From my review of the track last September:
"Many country songs these days have the baseline country instrumentals, like the acoustic guitar and the mandolin, but underneath have the pop beat and muted drums. That occurs on this song, making it a hit in the making. Cavalier's vocals are pitch perfect as always, and her voice and songwriting shines through on this song. As she displayed on her debut, and continued on this track, Cavailer has the potential to do great things. This song is the beginning of great success for her."
This is one of the strongest tracks of the EP and fits as a debut single.
As we get to know Cavalier and her music, she gets to know someone as well. The songs "Flat Bill" and "Tell Me 'Bout It" are about learning who someone is past the exterior they give off. In "Flat Bill," she asks him to "let [her] under that flat bill cap," but the song in general is a fun song about becoming closer with someone. "Tell Me" is a bit more serious, as Cavalier asks to know everything about this man, from his secret tattoos to guilty pleasures to what he thinks of her. The fiddle makes the track, and it re-establishes Cavalier's devotion to country music after some poppy experiments.
Like every great female country artist of today, Cavalier manages to insert a bit of feminism into her music. "1953" is the best song on the EP, not just because it's a girl power song which fits this website very well, but also because it's a beautifully composed and delivered song. Quirky lyrics like "I don't do housewife, this ain't 1953" and "I love your mama, but I ain't your mama," are relatable enough to connect to all women, even those who don't call themselves feminists. It's a song about chasing dreams, and having a man that respects you. Love is important, but finding who you are as a person is important as well. That's the message that Cavalier so excellently delivers on this track.
Cavalier isn't one to completely satisfy country traditionalists, but she creates her own brand of country music, that could appeal to Kacey Musgraves and Maddie & Tae fans, as well as Taylor Swift fans. Her voice is big and bold, and unique and powerful. Her songwriting is top notch, and she's even got some big artists on her side. Cavalier is going to break out soon, and whether it's with "Waitress," "Put You Down," or "1953," she's going to impress the industry and make her mark on country music.
Best tracks: Waitress, Put You Down, 1953
Throwaway tracks: Lazy River
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
As we get to know Cavalier and her music, she gets to know someone as well. The songs "Flat Bill" and "Tell Me 'Bout It" are about learning who someone is past the exterior they give off. In "Flat Bill," she asks him to "let [her] under that flat bill cap," but the song in general is a fun song about becoming closer with someone. "Tell Me" is a bit more serious, as Cavalier asks to know everything about this man, from his secret tattoos to guilty pleasures to what he thinks of her. The fiddle makes the track, and it re-establishes Cavalier's devotion to country music after some poppy experiments.
Like every great female country artist of today, Cavalier manages to insert a bit of feminism into her music. "1953" is the best song on the EP, not just because it's a girl power song which fits this website very well, but also because it's a beautifully composed and delivered song. Quirky lyrics like "I don't do housewife, this ain't 1953" and "I love your mama, but I ain't your mama," are relatable enough to connect to all women, even those who don't call themselves feminists. It's a song about chasing dreams, and having a man that respects you. Love is important, but finding who you are as a person is important as well. That's the message that Cavalier so excellently delivers on this track.
Cavalier isn't one to completely satisfy country traditionalists, but she creates her own brand of country music, that could appeal to Kacey Musgraves and Maddie & Tae fans, as well as Taylor Swift fans. Her voice is big and bold, and unique and powerful. Her songwriting is top notch, and she's even got some big artists on her side. Cavalier is going to break out soon, and whether it's with "Waitress," "Put You Down," or "1953," she's going to impress the industry and make her mark on country music.
Best tracks: Waitress, Put You Down, 1953
Throwaway tracks: Lazy River
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
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