
Katie Stump is one of the few artists that manages to successfully straddle the line between country and pop/folk without ever quite naming herself either genre. This single is representative of that. The lead single from Stump's upcoming EP, Feels Like Home, this single follows her debut album Natural, and her sophomore record Puzzle Pieces, which drew a little more from the folk-pop side of her influences. This single marks her return to the more country influenced songs of her debut, and more importantly, shows off her growing and developing talent.
Written by Stump and Jason Afable, who has had a cut with Bucky Covington and has worked with one of our favorites, Kalie Shorr, "Treasure Map" is a country pop masterpiece. Lyrically, this is a sweet song, with a theme similar to "Anywhere With You" by Jake Owen and "Nowhere With You" by SaraBeth. The main lyric, "it's just you and me / and this homemade treasure map" is simple, but beautiful.
Love songs have historically been overdone in country music, and in pop music as well. But on country radio these days, there are so many country 'love' songs that are not really love songs anymore. Yes, they are about spending time with a girl, but usually it's just about the physical appearance of the girl. Take Cole Swindell's recent hit, the atrocious "Let Me See Ya Girl." He's speaking of a girl that he's with, but he just wants to see her "tearin' that dance floor up" and parked with him. He doesn't sing like he is actually in love with her. There is a lack of songs about women, or about men, that actually seem to mean something anymore. However, Stump fills that role. This song could be called cliche, and just another love song, but taking the state country music is in right now, this is an incredible song. There is honest, genuine love behind her vocals. This song is a refreshing listen.
Katie Stump's new EP hits iTunes September 18th. This track is setting this EP up to be one of Stump's best. If the whole EP is as good as this song, this next year could be Stump's breakout year, where more and more people will be able to discover the amount of talent that she has. It is high time.
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
Love songs have historically been overdone in country music, and in pop music as well. But on country radio these days, there are so many country 'love' songs that are not really love songs anymore. Yes, they are about spending time with a girl, but usually it's just about the physical appearance of the girl. Take Cole Swindell's recent hit, the atrocious "Let Me See Ya Girl." He's speaking of a girl that he's with, but he just wants to see her "tearin' that dance floor up" and parked with him. He doesn't sing like he is actually in love with her. There is a lack of songs about women, or about men, that actually seem to mean something anymore. However, Stump fills that role. This song could be called cliche, and just another love song, but taking the state country music is in right now, this is an incredible song. There is honest, genuine love behind her vocals. This song is a refreshing listen.
Katie Stump's new EP hits iTunes September 18th. This track is setting this EP up to be one of Stump's best. If the whole EP is as good as this song, this next year could be Stump's breakout year, where more and more people will be able to discover the amount of talent that she has. It is high time.
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns