Palmer Lee obviously has talent. She's a strong vocalist and a strong songwriter. She has the looks and the music, but she has just one challenge. Originality. There are dozens of blond country singer-songwriters in Nashville. There's almost one on every corner. But Palmer Lee does have that sense of herself mixed in with her music, giving her a unique sound, breaking through the one thing that could prevent her from making it big. So with this EP, she passes that challenge, one that many artists never are able to.
This record is full of lovely, heartfelt music, with just a tinge of sass, and then has the full out bad-ass song that every record has to have. Unlike fellow country singer RaeLynn, Lee does not have that screaming cheeky quality in her songs. She does have the cheek, but it's more subtle, more classy.
The EP begins with one of those songs, "You Would Know." To me, this is no doubt the best song on the EP, making it a perfect opener. This song is an uptempo country pop track, but with a more solemn topic. Lee is telling her boyfriend, that even though she loves him, he should leave, because if he loved her, he would know it by now. The production is that perfect cross between country and pop, that even seasoned country-pop veterans like Shania Twain and Faith Hill have trouble pulling off. The sass, you ask? It comes in on the main line of the song, "if you loved me you would know." This could be interpreted in many ways, but when I hear that line, I clearly see Lee standing, with her hand on her hip, saying that line in an almost condescending way, almost ordering him out. This song is so great because there are so many ways it could be interpreted.
The real biting sarcasm comes with "That's Fine." This song is the example why Lee is going places. She has the ability to express sarcasm in a song, which is much harder than it seems. The song starts out with the lyric,
"You broke my heart
You left me cold,
You said that you still loved me and left me all alone
And that's fine."
Pure lyrical genius. Lee takes the classic breakup song, recounting everything in a relationship, and changes it to be an insanely catchy girl power song that sits above all of the breakup songs out there. After a while, those types of songs get tiring (see "Better Than You Left Me" review), and this song is a welcome change. Lee makes it so much her own, another reason she stands out.
Another one of the best tracks on this EP, is the third track, "Running." Very Dixie Chicks influenced, this track has traditional fiddles, banjos, and mandolins, and just an overall traditional country feeling. This song is similar to Maddie and Tae's song, "Fly", but instead of telling listeners what to do, like the duo's song does, Lee is telling the listener what not to do: run from your past. It's a different kind of uplifting track, and has that tough love element that polishes off the song.
The EP closes with the title track, "Until Know." This track has no trace of the sarcasm and cheek found in the songs before this, and that is a good thing. This is where Lee really opens up her heart, and shows that she can do more with her talent than we ever expected her to do. After listening to this song, it's obvious that this is one of the best debut EP's I've ever heard. It has the originality, the radio appeal, and the lyrics that are all necessary elements in country music. Also, just the experience of listening to this EP was so fascinating, getting to know all of the different sides of Lee as a musician. It was beautiful.
Best tracks: You Would Know, That's Fine, Running
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and 3/4 crowns
The EP begins with one of those songs, "You Would Know." To me, this is no doubt the best song on the EP, making it a perfect opener. This song is an uptempo country pop track, but with a more solemn topic. Lee is telling her boyfriend, that even though she loves him, he should leave, because if he loved her, he would know it by now. The production is that perfect cross between country and pop, that even seasoned country-pop veterans like Shania Twain and Faith Hill have trouble pulling off. The sass, you ask? It comes in on the main line of the song, "if you loved me you would know." This could be interpreted in many ways, but when I hear that line, I clearly see Lee standing, with her hand on her hip, saying that line in an almost condescending way, almost ordering him out. This song is so great because there are so many ways it could be interpreted.
The real biting sarcasm comes with "That's Fine." This song is the example why Lee is going places. She has the ability to express sarcasm in a song, which is much harder than it seems. The song starts out with the lyric,
"You broke my heart
You left me cold,
You said that you still loved me and left me all alone
And that's fine."
Pure lyrical genius. Lee takes the classic breakup song, recounting everything in a relationship, and changes it to be an insanely catchy girl power song that sits above all of the breakup songs out there. After a while, those types of songs get tiring (see "Better Than You Left Me" review), and this song is a welcome change. Lee makes it so much her own, another reason she stands out.
Another one of the best tracks on this EP, is the third track, "Running." Very Dixie Chicks influenced, this track has traditional fiddles, banjos, and mandolins, and just an overall traditional country feeling. This song is similar to Maddie and Tae's song, "Fly", but instead of telling listeners what to do, like the duo's song does, Lee is telling the listener what not to do: run from your past. It's a different kind of uplifting track, and has that tough love element that polishes off the song.
The EP closes with the title track, "Until Know." This track has no trace of the sarcasm and cheek found in the songs before this, and that is a good thing. This is where Lee really opens up her heart, and shows that she can do more with her talent than we ever expected her to do. After listening to this song, it's obvious that this is one of the best debut EP's I've ever heard. It has the originality, the radio appeal, and the lyrics that are all necessary elements in country music. Also, just the experience of listening to this EP was so fascinating, getting to know all of the different sides of Lee as a musician. It was beautiful.
Best tracks: You Would Know, That's Fine, Running
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and 3/4 crowns
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