Lily Rose Is A Trailblazing Artist Carving Her Own Lane In Country Music
In the Opry Mills mall in Nashville, there was once a dreamer tirelessly working in retail. The long hours filled…
Lily Rose; Photo by John Shearer
In the Opry Mills mall in Nashville, there was once a dreamer tirelessly working in retail. The long hours filled with folding in order to make ends meet – did not derail the aspiring musicians, as she always has a clear vision and never a foggy mind when it came to music. The hardworking employee who once dedicated her free time honing in on her craft is now referred to as country music’s most promising breakout star.
Less than a year later, Lily Rose holds an eye-catching RIAA Gold Certified plaque for her debut single “Villain” in front of the store that learned her name before the world did. “‘Villain’ has changed my life in more ways than one,” shared Rose in a recent statement. “The morning we wrote it, I had just finished an overnight shift stocking shelves at the mall, and it’s surreal to stand here a year after I released it with over 500,000 units sold, and the incredible writers and my team around me,” she adds.
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Rose penned the ballad alongside Mackenzie Carpenter and Kyle Clark. Together they conveyed a story of an individual who was painted as the “villain” following a messy romantic breakup. Once the tear-jerking tune surfaced on TikTok, users instantly resonated with the relatable lyrics and the pure-country confession. Rose became an “Overnight Sensation,” and music-goers found a sense of freshness within her storytelling approach.
In a short amount of time, the Georgia native has made a remarkable impact on the industry with her encouraging language and how she utilizes her growing platform to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Since stepping into the limelight in Nashville, Rose has always worn her heart on her sleeve and was not afraid to be her true authentic self.
With the encouragement of over 847.9K followers on the video-sharing application alone – her raw, soulful, and contagious sound scored her a joint venture deal with Big Loud Records, Black Blocks Music, and Republic Records – a group that valued her bravery and mission to make a difference. “It all starts with good music, and it’s just trying to write the best song that you can. The song integrity is everything, and authenticity just helps,” shared the singer-songwriter to Country Now about being transparent with her community.
Her confidence in herself and the loyal support system backing her artistry is apparent in her introductory project, Stronger Than I Am. The seven-track collection that dropped on October 1 served as a reminder not to be fearful when chasing after your dream.
“I am so proud of all seven songs we have already released, with “Villain” being such an important chapter. So, moving onto the “Strong Than I Am” chapter, which that song itself is a title track for a reason…it is so special! It is one of the best country songs I have ever heard. I was not a writer on it, but I was humbled to be able to tell that story,” shared the budding songstress before revealing her enthusiasm about the additional tracks that were included into the inspiring EP. “I am most excited for two of these three songs. I think they are absolute heaters. I am excited for more people to just feel like they can relate to my music.”
On Friday, October 29 – the genre-bending musician included “Someone New In Town,” “Every Last One,” and “I’d Be Lying” to her debut record. However, the radio-worthy anthems would have hit streaming platforms sooner, but the innovative artist was waiting to release “Every Last One” until after she proposed to longtime girlfriend, Daira Eamon.
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“I have to say ‘Every Last One’ is my favorite because it is all about being with your person. I want every last kiss, every last breath, every last glass of wine. That song is obviously special because we chose not to release it in the seven and to wait because they knew I was going to propose.”
“Every Last One” showcases Rose’s unique blend of traditional country with hip-hop elements, making it a fresh first-dance song destined to be played on repeat during wedding season. The hitmaker had a hand in writing five of the ballads out of all ten songs.
However, Rose told Country Now reporter Tiffany Goldstein that it was a challenge to step away from the creative process that goes along with writing. “I didn’t write five…which is new to me. I have always written all my songs. So, that’s another new aspect of this project. It was all about taking a chance on other songs and trusting that I can tell the story pretty well.”
When she wasn’t writing or making the potential chart-topping bangers her own, her artistic wheels continued to turn in order to stay ahead of the ever-changing musical landscape. “It’s really cool to be a trailblazer in the sense of social awareness and the community that I am representing, but also what we are doing in the studio,” shared the rising star. “We’re kind of creating a new sound that a lot of people are stoked about, which I always wanted to do. I look up to people like Maren Morris, Sam Hunt, Ed Sheeran, and all these people that created their own lane. We are trying to keep doing that. I am thankful for Big Loud and Republic, because they are open to my ideas and my art,” she adds.
While stepping outside the box and pushing her musical boundaries, Rose developed an emotion-driven collection that pairs well with any type of situation in the book. “I hope people feel seen and heard. If they are happy, they can find a Lily Rose song. If they’re in love, they can find a Lily Rose song. If they miss their hometown, if they want a drink, if they feel upset, any of it – I hope I can keep putting out a catalog that just nails every emotion that somebody would need to find.”
With the secret recipe for what makes a well-rounded song up her sleeve, the country newcomer will be stepping back into the studio to make magic happen. Rose will also be performing the new collection live and in person on Chris Lane’s Fill Them Boots Tour. Tickets are currently available to purchase, and her new material is ready to stream.
Written by
Tiffany Goldstein