Lainey Wilson, the rising star of country music, has officially announced the release of her fifth studio album, “Whirlwind,” set to drop on August 23. This announcement follows the massive success of her previous album, “Bell Bottom Country,” which not only topped charts but also earned her numerous accolades, including Best Country Album at the Grammys, Album of the Year at the ACM Awards, and Album of the Year at the CMA Awards.
“Bell Bottom Country,” released in late October 2022, saw Wilson’s career skyrocket. The 16-track album peaked at #35 in Australia, #9 on the US Top Country Albums Chart, and #2 on the UK Country Albums Chart. The album’s success was further cemented when Wilson was crowned Entertainer of the Year at the recent CMA Awards. She also made her debut in Australia, where she was met with great enthusiasm, and graced the cover of Billboard’s Country Power Players series.
In a press release, Wilson expressed her excitement about “Whirlwind,” stating, “I am so excited to finally announce ‘Whirlwind.’ This album has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait for the world to have this body of work in their hands soon. This new chapter of music is the most cathartic and personal piece of art I’ve ever made. I hope this record brings some peace to your whirlwind and wraps its arms around you like it did for me.”
Wilson also took to Instagram to share her thoughts, writing, “Whirlwind. That’s what my life has been the last couple years. I hope this record brings peace to your ‘whirlwind’ and wraps its arms around you like it did me when I was writing and recording it.”
“Whirlwind” will be released via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, and fans can pre-order or pre-save the album now. Members of Wilson’s Wild Horses fan club will have first access to purchase a limited edition, signed black and white “Whirlwind” vinyl.
In addition to her album announcement, Wilson recently collaborated with Keith Urban on the new track, “Go Home W U.” Speaking about the collaboration, Wilson said, “Keith has been someone in the industry I’ve taken notes from for a while now. From watching him at CMA Fest every year growing up to hearing the way he treats people up and down music row, he has taught me a lot. He’s a genuine supporter of mine and I am honored I get to continue to learn from one of the best. Getting to do a song with Keith is a notch on my belt I am very proud of.”
Wilson’s new album promises to be a “daringly honest look” into her life and journey, delivering a “diverse yet sonically cohesive” collection of songs. The album will feature stories about the singer’s “highs, lows, and in-betweens,” offering fans a deeply personal and introspective experience.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Wilson elaborated on the album’s title, saying, “Whether I’m running into somebody and they’re saying, ‘Man, your life has been a whirlwind,’ or whether the word’s coming out of my mouth, or I open a book and see the word ‘whirlwind,’ it just seems to be surrounding me. Whirlwinds cause turbulence that cause chaos. But at the end of the day, you figure out how to come back to the center.”
Wilson described “Whirlwind” as the “Western sister of ‘Bell Bottom Country,'” noting that it is more introspective and features more character and cinematic storytelling. She emphasized the importance of staying true to herself, stating, “I felt like I wanted to share a part of me that I didn’t even know existed like I wanted to find that. I think these last couple of years, because it has been a constant leveling up, I cannot let go of who I am to my core. Because the music’s not going to be the same. So, for me, when I was writing this record, I was making dang sure that both of my feet were planted on the ground.”
In addition to her musical endeavors, Wilson is also venturing into the hospitality industry. She will be opening her very own bar in downtown Nashville later this summer called Bell Bottoms Up. The three-story entertainment destination will replace Florida Georgia Line’s FGL House, located off Broadway at 120 Third Avenue South.
Wilson’s schedule is packed with exciting events in the coming weeks. She will attend and perform at the ACM Awards, where she has five nominations, including Entertainer of the Year. She will also release a new doc-style Hulu special and perform as a headliner at CMA Fest in Nashville. Additionally, Wilson will kick off her headlining 2024 Country’s Cool Again Tour with supporting acts Jackson Dean, Ian Munsick, and Zach Top in Nashville on May 31, running through November 15 in Monroe, Louisiana.
Lainey Wilson’s journey in the country music industry has been nothing short of a whirlwind, and her new album promises to be a reflection of her experiences and growth. As she continues to rise to the top, Wilson remains grounded and committed to staying true to herself and her music.
Source: Billboard, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville
