New Album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ Receives Praise as One of the Best Albums of 2021
Rising-Star Named iHeartCountry On The Verge Artist
“One of Country music’s most promising young stars,” (Whiskey Riff), Lainey Wilson released her hotly-anticipated album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ three weeks ago and the excitement surrounding the buzzed-about newcomer only continues to build. Garnering a slew of critical praise and more than 55 million streams in the US alone, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ has been identified as an “early favorite for album of the year.” The Bell Bottom Country singer is now heating up at Country radio as she was just named the newest iHeartCountry On The Verge Artist. The program includes on-air exposure as well as significant digital and social support across iHeartMedia’s network of Country radio stations and websites, and has proven instrumental in the early success of Country superstars like Dustin Lynch, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris and Luke Combs.
Her current single, “Things A Man Oughta Know” has been a fan favorite and called a “song every Country fan needs to hear” (Taste of Country) and a “must listen” (Rolling Stone), with more than 40 million on-demand streams, it has been featured on key playlists and is currently in the Top 10 on Sirius XM’s The Highway’s Hot 30 Weekend Countdown. On Country radio the song has been connecting with fans having been in the Top 5 consumption per spin and streams per spin for the past 24 weeks (and counting) and will continue to strengthen with iHeartRadio’s support.
Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ blends traditional Country with a funky, modern flare, bringing her value and character-driven lyrics and stories to life. The honesty-driven body of work is her first album as a signed artist and a statement of who Lainey Wilson is, what she believes in and the power of authenticity, with People calling it “a worthy reflection of the woman she has turned out to be.” In addition to being a lifelong custom for the Louisiana native, the album title serves as a wink to the candor that was infused in her songwriting process, as Wilson’s playful, clever, sassy, soulful, strong and unbridled nature is on full display throughout the project.
Proving worthy of being named as “one to watch” and “must listen” by many (Spotify, Pandora, MusicRow, Rolling Stone, CMT, The Boot, Sounds Like Nashville, etc.), Lainey earned a host of critical praise for Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. Amongst the glowing reviews for the album, several outlets have labeled it as one of the best of the year:
“One of our early favorites for album of the year!” –Roughstock
“She is unquestionably the finest new talent here, and her album deserves to be on the short list of the Best of the Year.” – Music Row
“An album poised to be the best debut of 2021, even if Wilson never has a radio hit”
– Taste of Country
“The project promises to be one of the most impressive albums of the year thanks to Wilson’s innate ability to create songs that are deeply rooted in the country world with strong lyrical stories that connect with listeners across the world, not forgetting that she also has one of the best voices in the genre.” – Music and Tour News
“Lainey Wilson has everything a breakout Country star needs and then some, and with any justice this will go down as one of the best records of 2021.”
– Entertainment Focus
“It might be my favorite album of 2021 so far…One word review of Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ is AUTHENTIC” – Billy Dukes (Townsquare Media)
The “bona fide redneck warrior princess” (Saving Country Music) launched the album with a seven-night livestream series with a Grand Ole Opry appearance, interesting behind the scenes content and a two-part live performance that left fans itching to see the Rockstar performer in-person. Watch the television-worthy live performances that bring the album to life with Part 1 and Part 2.