ALBUM REVIEW: Ella Langley’s ‘Dandelion’

Every once in a while, a genre and generation-defining album comes along, and Ella Langley’s ‘Dandelion’ is that record. This is the second full-length release from the Alabama native, and it is a career-defining moment for the ‘Choosin’ Texas’ hitmaker, who has crafted a collection that is authentic, raw, real, and true to its country roots.

Bold from the outset, ‘Dandelion’ offers listeners a snapshot into the last two years of Ella Langley’s life, where she has gone from country newcomer to the face of the genre. She’s unafraid to take sonic risks and instead leads the listener down multiple avenues throughout with a stunning vulnerability and craftsmanship.

Obviously, the singles ‘Be Her’, ‘Loving Life Again’, ‘Dandelion’, and the biggest hit of the year, ‘Choosin’ Texas’, are the bedrock of the record, but this is not an album that features any fillers. There is not one song included that couldn’t be a radio hit. There’s a soul found within ‘Low Lights’ that showcases another side of Ella’s sultry vocal, whilst ‘Bottom Of Your Boots’ is an exquisite 90s-fused country smash.

‘We Know Us’, and ‘You & Me Time’ are two other tracks that really put the spotlight on Ella Langley’s storytelling capabilities, allowing her to further demonstrate her incredible artistic growth since the release of the 2024 LP ‘Hungover’. ‘Dandelion’ truly encapsulates the magic of Langley as an artist and breathes new life into the 21st-century country genre.

‘Speaking Terms’ is one that stops you in your tracks. It’s so authentic and true to Ella’s heart and faith, and it’s absolutely beautiful to hear how she leans into that with a vulnerability that is so brave. ‘Last Call For Us’ meanwhile harks back to the late 80s/early 90s and it’s sublime. ‘Broken’ showcases the flip side of Ella Langley’s writing with heartwrenching and hard-hitting lyrics that will strike a chord with those currently going through something.

And that Miranda Lambert feature is something else! ‘Butterfly’ adds yet another layer to ‘Dandelion’, and it elevates the record to higher highs and gives a real depth and some of the best female country vocals we’ve heard in recent times.

Country music has become well-known for its pop crossover tendencies, and that is a fantastic part of the genre and something that should be celebrated and applauded, but it is also really refreshing to hear a country musician releasing a record that is country to its core, ensuring the purity of the genre.

Are you a fan of Ella Langley’s ‘Dandelion’? Let us know your thoughts across social media and in the comments below!