Taylor Edwards' bio on her website ends with this phrase: Listen to my songs. & listen again if you like them. These songs are ones to listen to again, and possibly over and over again. This little compilation of three songs, called the Shoestring Sessions, was a freebie a while back on Edwards' website for signing up for her email list. These songs are demos, but display the potential and raw talent Edwards' has, even without perfectly clean tracks.
"Better Off Now" is one of Edwards' most well known songs, and rightfully so. It has been on SoundCloud for a while now, and has over 4,000 plays, more than any of her other tracks up there. This song is an ultimate girl power anthem, and has catchy pop-country production that reflects that message. The lyrics of this song are so undeniably clever, especially the opening line, "There's a vacancy sign on my heart tonight," which later in the song she flips and uses it to describe her ex. The track begins with Edwards recounting the relationship and realizing the mistakes she made and then soon figuring out that she really is better off without him. It echos early tracks by Taylor Swift in lyrical content, and brings in the modern country production to create a truly dynamic track.
The best demo in the bunch is "Booze or a Boyfriend." It begins with the sounds of a crowd, as if Edwards is performing in a coffee shop or another small venue. The background noise slowly fades out to acoustic guitar and the first lyrics of the song. Although all of the tracks on this little EP have very strong songwriting, this song by far has the best. In the vein of Miranda Lambert's "Me and Your Cigarettes," Edwards compares booze to boyfriends, and occasionally it is not clear whether she is talking about her drink, or her boyfriend, creating an interesting song to listen to lyrically. The acoustic production compliments her strong vocals, and adds a rustic and real feel to the track.
The best demo in the bunch is "Booze or a Boyfriend." It begins with the sounds of a crowd, as if Edwards is performing in a coffee shop or another small venue. The background noise slowly fades out to acoustic guitar and the first lyrics of the song. Although all of the tracks on this little EP have very strong songwriting, this song by far has the best. In the vein of Miranda Lambert's "Me and Your Cigarettes," Edwards compares booze to boyfriends, and occasionally it is not clear whether she is talking about her drink, or her boyfriend, creating an interesting song to listen to lyrically. The acoustic production compliments her strong vocals, and adds a rustic and real feel to the track.
"Loretta" is the last track in this bunch. This song is a gem. It is another version of the anti-bro-country songs by female artists like "Girl in a Country Song" by Maddie and Tae, but this one pays tribute to one of the greats, Loretta Lynn. The song begins with:
"Crank it up these days,
think you're gonna feel something.
But all you're gonna get is words that don't mean nothing."
The chorus then goes on to proclaim that Edwards wants to hear a little more Loretta on her radio (which is something that needs to happen right away.) There are more special lyrics thrown throughout the track, like "when twang was enough, you didn't need a DJ" and a connection to a Loretta song in the bridge: "She grew up in the Holler, a coal miner's daughter." The one problem with this song is that it is pure pop. A song paying tribute to one of the greatest country musicians of all time should be a little more country, shouldn't it? However, despite that, this is an excellent song.
Although the ShoeString Sessions is a collection of demos, there is a polish to these not often found in demos by up and coming artists. Edwards shows her potential in both the pop and country music fields, which is something that new country artists seem to need to have these days. These demos, the others on Edwards' SoundCloud, and her occasional YouTube covers are clear indicators that whatever she releases next, it will be incredible.
Best tracks: Booze or a Boyfriend
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 3 and 3/4 crowns
"Crank it up these days,
think you're gonna feel something.
But all you're gonna get is words that don't mean nothing."
The chorus then goes on to proclaim that Edwards wants to hear a little more Loretta on her radio (which is something that needs to happen right away.) There are more special lyrics thrown throughout the track, like "when twang was enough, you didn't need a DJ" and a connection to a Loretta song in the bridge: "She grew up in the Holler, a coal miner's daughter." The one problem with this song is that it is pure pop. A song paying tribute to one of the greatest country musicians of all time should be a little more country, shouldn't it? However, despite that, this is an excellent song.
Although the ShoeString Sessions is a collection of demos, there is a polish to these not often found in demos by up and coming artists. Edwards shows her potential in both the pop and country music fields, which is something that new country artists seem to need to have these days. These demos, the others on Edwards' SoundCloud, and her occasional YouTube covers are clear indicators that whatever she releases next, it will be incredible.
Best tracks: Booze or a Boyfriend
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 3 and 3/4 crowns
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