Greetings, avid readers. It’s the end of the month and that means it’s time to talk about music again. For this edition of The Underground Sound, I was given a request for a music review. This is the first time this has happened since the beginning of this monthly music column, which is very exciting for me. Normally, I pick out music via Bandcamp and roll with it. This time, we’re diving deep into the new record by Ella Langley, titled Dandelion.
Ella Langley is a mid-2020s breakout country artist who went from TikTok buzz to chart-topping, award-winning star in a very short time. Think: gritty Southern storytelling meets modern, slightly pop-aware country. Langley was born in 1999 in Hope Hull, Alabama and grew up around music in her family via jam sessions and church culture. Langley went on to teach herself guitar after inheriting one from her grandfather, later going on to play in bars and local venues before moving to Nashville to chase the country music dream.
Before this review request, I had no idea who Ella Langley was. Through my research, I found that she blew up through internet traction and social media, such as TikTok. Between 2023 and 2024, Langley signed with Sony Nashville/Columbia and debuted at the Grand Ole Opry. Between 2024 and now, she has garnered more notoriety through a massive duet of You Look Like You Love Me with artist Riley Green which landed number one on country music charts and won CMA awards, and the release of her debut album, Hungover.
Now, after all those accolades, you’re probably thinking, “dang, Dr. Dorr must live under a rock or something to not know Ella Langley”. Well, you’re right, I do. Pop country music is not really my cup of tea, in terms of musical taste. When it comes to country music, I tend to gravitate towards outlaw country music, such as Colter Wall, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, etc. Though, I am going into this music review with an open heart and an open mind. Here is what I think about Dandelion.
After listening to this record five times, I have come to this conclusion. While Langley is very talented and I understand the hype, for me, this was a rather uneventful experience. There were some very catchy moments within some songs, and structurally, it was very well written. The title track Dandelion was very calm and I loved the chorus. I absolutely loved Langley’s cover of It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels by Dolly Parton; it suited her voice and style well. Outside of these moments, I was kind of bored with listening. Bored to an extent that even the compositions are lost to me and I listened to it five times. Also, 19 tracks are a little excessive for one record, unless you’re a grindcore band putting out 30-45 second songs. Choosin’ Texas, the hit single that also appears on this record, didn’t catch my attention all that much, and that surprised me, seeing how popular it is.
Overall, I feel that Ella Langley is indeed a very talented musician. She has a great voice and doesn’t have that “singing in cursive” effect that a lot of country singers use. This is your standard country music fare of the day – it has some 90s vibes, some pop atmosphere, and a little bit of that fringe, on-the-edge alternative country sound. While I did find myself bored while streaming through the record, I was highly entertained with the Dolly Parton cover, as well as the Morgan Wallen duet. Would I recommend this album to my friends? Probably not. Would I recommend it to you? Absolutely. For those who are interested in the modern country sound and style, you’ll find a lot of enjoyment in this album.
If you’d like me to review more of the music you enjoy, I’d love to hear from you! For any inquiries concerning music reviews, interviews, etc. Please feel free to email [email protected].
