KELSEA BALLERINI - Sorry Mom - Black River Entertainment

Kelsea Ballerini is set to release her brand-new album, ‘Patterns’, on October 25^th.  Upon the announcement of the record, it immediately became one of the most highly-anticipated items of the year.  And as we continue to gain (and hear) new insight into this project, the excitement and anticipation continues to build.

Ballerini has released a new song, serving as another preview of the forthcoming album, one that will tug on the heart strings of listeners everywhere.  “Sorry Mom” is available now, both digitally and on all streaming platforms, via Black River Entertainment.

As we know since she released her first single, “Love Me Like You Mean it”, in 2014, the Knoxville native has adequately and efficaciously walked the tightrope between the country and pop worlds.  She has achieved monumental success as a country artist as well as a pop artist, but one has not been achieved by escaping from the other. She has found her niche within both musical realms, and continues to offer music that appeals to the masses.

But as we have heard recently, Ballerini also continues to diversify her sound, offering new musical insight and elements from other genres while showcasing a maturity that is set to take her reverence as a recording artist to a new level.

“Sorry Mom” is perhaps the most sophisticatedly-impressive song to date for Kelsea, who continues to shine a light on the vulnerability and emotional complexity of her musical personality.  For someone who was viewed as the last pop country princess years ago, she has blossomed into one of the brightest and most talented singers, songwriters, and artists in the country music mainstream.

“’Sorry Mom’, a love letter to the growth of mother and daughter to woman and woman, is OUT in the world and I couldn’t be more proud to share this song with you,” Ballerini shared on her socials.

Dedicated to her mother, the tune is part confessional, part tribute, sharing details, including regrets and admissions of her past, while paying homage to the woman who has played such a pivotal role and influence on her life.

“I turned out alright, so you can sleep good at night

Maybe I ran all the red lights

Maybe we got into a few fights

It’s a different cloth we cut

But underneath we’re the same blood

So I know it took a little tough love

To become a woman that you’re proud of”

Lyrically, this may be the most honest and articulate song we’ve heard from Ballerini to date.  Musically, it’s a simple, toned-down opening, slowly building momentum as the poetic inferences tell the autobiographical story from first verse into the chorus and progressing through the rest of the tune.  It’s authentic, reflective, and captivating.  It’s brilliant.

“Sorry Mom” serves as a follow-up to “Cowboys Cry Too,”, Kelsea’s collaborative duet with Noah Kahan, released in June.  ‘Patterns’, again set for an October 25^th release date, will be Kelsea’s fifth full-length album, following her 2023 EP ‘Rolling Up The Welcome Mat’.

(Review Written By: Chad Carlson)