Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters’ Lauren Watkins drops the needle on her debut album, The Heartbroken Record, today, available across all streaming / DSP partners now. Listen here.
Fusing a fresh, modern-country shine with the rough-hewn edge of an outlaw, Watkins stands as a neon-lit throwback in the digital age, a born singer-songwriter with a vision for the moment. On her full-length debut, she introduces herself the Nashville way – co-writing the entire project, and stringing together the pieces of a bootstraps story with songs that make an impact and a singular-yet-familiar sound. Throughout the 17-song album, Watkins easily reminds fans that though they may crack easily, hearts heal back stronger, messier, more resilient with every break.
“It makes sense that my debut album would be called The Heartbroken Record; heartbreak songs have always been my favourite,” Watkins smiles. “As a songwriter I feel a responsibility to put my experiences on paper. Whether it’s the loss of love, or a town, or a friendship, we all experience heartbreak. I think it’s really special that we can be brought together by things like that.
From the breezy first notes of album opener “Leavers Leave,” to woozy, honky-tonking title track “Heartbroken Record” to “Set My Heart On Fire,” where Watkins enlists personal icon Sheryl Crowfor a roots-rocking tribute to the self-destructive nature of falling in love, to refreshing focus track “Gatlinburg,” an upbeat tribute to emotional escapism and ode to East Tennessee’s Disney World and its Margaritaville-like powers, Watkins centers herself as “a country superstar in the making” (Holler).
“I wanted this album to show every side of heartbreak,” she continues. “It’s a story of the good, the bad, and the ugly. One second, it’s a feel-good car jammer and the next it’s a cryin’ pedal steel waltz…and if that doesn’t describe me and heartbreak in a sentence, then I don’t know what does.”
To pair with the album’s release, Watkins let loose with the playful official music video for “Gatlinburg,” directed by Nicki Fletcher and Mason Allen, out now. Watch here.
As for what’s up next for Watkins? She’s past heartbreak and on to greener pastures, newly and happily married to songwriter / producer Will Bundy. But before the two can ride off into the sunset, the gut wrenching lessons she’s learned along the way needed a place to be put to bed.
“I did just marry the love of my life,” Watkins says, “but I can’t go into this new chapter without getting the past few chapters off my chest.”
This summer, the newly wed heartbreaker tours fairs and festivals nationwide before taking the stage internationally opening Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour throughout Europe, as well as gigs opening stateside tours for Maddie & Tae and Corey Kent this fall.
