
Lindsay Ell is one of the most talented new female country artists, with guitar skills so exceptional, she was nicknamed the female Keith Urban by more than one publication. She has released 3 of her radio singles to iTunes, along with a cover of Maroon 5's "Sugar" with YouTube star Landon Austin. The last two songs released to iTunes (excluding the cover) were country rock offerings, with the focus on Ell's exceptional guitar playing, which is what truly sets her apart. But this song is quite different, and pushes Ell from more of a rock star, to more of a pop star, all still in the country music realm.
It's clear that Ell and her team really want a hit. Ell deserves one, with how hard she's been working over the last few years, and her whole life to be a country star. With the rise of popularity in pop-country and Kelsea Ballerini-esque artists, many female artists are turning to the more pop influenced music, to mixed results.
However, this song is one of the better executed ones, joining songs like "I Am Invincible" by Cassadee Pope and "That Ghost" by Megan & Liz. "By The Way" is a pop song at it's core, but has heavy country influence with the mandolins and banjos clucking along the whole song. Ell also doesn't completely throw away her rocker roots, with a certifiably epic guitar solo after the second chorus, which was performed by Ell herself. Another girl power song, but this one is about getting over a cheating boyfriend fast. It's a pro-rebound sort of song, which in some ways could be seen as negative element, but adds another level to Ell's musicality, saying that she's not just an angry, disgruntled ex girlfriend as shown in her last single, "Shut Me Up."
Lindsay Ell has been named one to watch for several years now, and it seems that 2015 is finally going to be her year. She has this song coming out, with a project coming out sometime next year. Kelsea Ballerini and Cam have opened doors for female artists on country radio, and Ell deserves to be the next one who succeeds.
Overall rating: 4 crowns
However, this song is one of the better executed ones, joining songs like "I Am Invincible" by Cassadee Pope and "That Ghost" by Megan & Liz. "By The Way" is a pop song at it's core, but has heavy country influence with the mandolins and banjos clucking along the whole song. Ell also doesn't completely throw away her rocker roots, with a certifiably epic guitar solo after the second chorus, which was performed by Ell herself. Another girl power song, but this one is about getting over a cheating boyfriend fast. It's a pro-rebound sort of song, which in some ways could be seen as negative element, but adds another level to Ell's musicality, saying that she's not just an angry, disgruntled ex girlfriend as shown in her last single, "Shut Me Up."
Lindsay Ell has been named one to watch for several years now, and it seems that 2015 is finally going to be her year. She has this song coming out, with a project coming out sometime next year. Kelsea Ballerini and Cam have opened doors for female artists on country radio, and Ell deserves to be the next one who succeeds.
Overall rating: 4 crowns