Kayla Woodson's Self-Titled EP Establishes Herself as a True Nashville Artist

Nashville isn’t just the city of music legends – it’s the city of up-and-comers as well. With hundreds of new artists fighting for the spotlight, it’s easy for talent to be overlooked. Kayla Woodson, however, is a new artist that proves through her new self-titled EP that she deserves the spotlight.

Woodson might be a new artist, but she isn’t new to the music scene. In fact, she’s been well involved in performing since she was in elementary school. At the age of seven, Woodson started playing the Texas/Louisiana Opry circuit, which led to fronting her own band when she was only ten years old. Shortly afterwards, she headed to Italy to train at the Bocelli School of Music then earn 2nd place representing the US at the Golden Star Children’s International Talent Fest. Then, at the age fifteen, she released her album I’m Movin’ On, including four of her original songs. In the fall of 2012, she moved to Nashville to study at Belmont University, known for producing famous musicians such as Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood.

The EP starts off explosively with her previously-released first single, “Fan for the Flame.” Woodson cites Carrie Underwood as one of her musical influences, and this song establishes itself as a 2016 “Before He Cheats.” Toying with conventional sayings, she states, “Fool me once, shame on me. Next time I’ll be ready.” This is no song for a heartbroken girl; it’s about a woman making a declaration of independence and strength. She’s not backing down from the fight – she’s prepared to win. The next track following “Fan for the Flame” is the cleverly-placed “Before It’s Too Late.” A complete change of mood and lyrics, Woodson describes the pain of leaving a sinking relationship. She describes her relationship as, “At the corner of a friend, or is it love? But right now, I don’t know what to call this little fling.” The country ballad picks up steam as she defiantly states that she’s leaving the rocky relationship for good. Although the memories won’t be forgotten and the pain will sting initially, leaving the relationship is better than lingering in a doomed one. Beyond the stellar production and emotional weight of the lyricism, the song showcases the incredible vocal prowess Woodson contains. This song might be the perfect song to belt in your car after a bad breakup, but be warned: You won’t be able to match the stunning heights that Woodson’s voice manages to reach impeccably. She follows up this powerful ballad with a lighter song, “Last,” stating almost the same mantra as “Before It’s Too Late,”, except the relationship is already over. The hardest part of a breakup is wanting to crawl back, but she belts her refusal to be treated last again. Steering away from the afterthoughts of unhealthy relationships, the final two songs on the EP, “Tearin’ up This Town (Party All Night)” and “Crushin’” are upbeat and happy. “Town” chronicles a good night out with her gals – one that seems much needed after the weight of the first three songs on the EP. “Crushin’” concludes the album on a light and bouncy note, singing sweetly about the warm and bubbly feeling of a small crush with words like, “The thought of your touch gets my heart jumpin’.” That boy just better know not to mess with her, or he’ll get the wrath of “Fan for the Flame.”

Kayla Woodson is produced by Powell Peebles of Broken Bunny Studios and was recorded at Sound Emporium with engineer Mike Stankiewigz. The 5-song EP’s cover was shot by Kristine Krieger with graphic designing done by Ashley Kohorst. Kayla Woodson proves in her newly released EP that she is an artist that rightfully deserves the spotlight. Watch out, Nashville: I think we’ve found our new Carrie Underwood.