If you haven’t found yourself less disgusted with country music as you matured, one of two things might be happening: Either you still haven’t matured enough to appreciate the beauty of a raspy voice paired with a guitar, or you haven’t been introduced to the right kind of country music — the artists who don’t focus all their songs on catching a big fish and going to church (not that those are bad). So, that being said, let me be the one to introduce country music haters and lovers alike to Ella Langley.

Langley is an up-and-coming country music powerhouse. Her song, “you look like you love me” featuring Riley Green caught some attention this past summer, but it’s her newly released album, Still Hungover that deserves just as much attention. 

“girl you’re taking home,” from her new album may not be the typical country song — as I believe it belongs on a breakup playlist. Even though country music can more often than not be associated with upbeat instrumental and happy lyrics, the genre of country has much more to offer, this song being one of them. Langley begins the song singing:  

“I got the whiskey, she gets a good year bottle of wine /

I got the neon, she gets a back porch strung-up lights /

I got the white lies, she gets the truth”

These lyrics sum up every feeling of being someone’s second pick, even when they are the only person you can think about. For many women, feeling undervalued is a common thought, whether that’s regarding romantic relationships, friendships or even academics. While I am definitely far from a dating expert, I can attest to the feeling of not being good enough.

If everyone around you seems to be going on dates or entering relationships, and you are left with nothing or a failed situationship once in a blue moon, then Langley’s lyrics will definitely hit close to home. Being good enough for certain parts of someone’s life, but not the entire thing makes you question your self-worth and thus begins the internal battle of wanting to end things or sticking it through to see if anything changes. After Langley brings up all those feelings surrounding self-doubt, she asks:

“If i’m the first thing on your mind, the second she lets go, /

Then why ain’t I the girl you’re taking home”

These lyrics really emphasize the take-home message of this song: If you’re the person they keep returning to, why is that still not good enough to make you the first option? I also think there’s another hidden message within this whole song. Yes, the lyrics are about frustration and anger of not being good enough to take home, but I think these lyrics also are trying to convey the message that if someone doesn’t see you as good enough to take home and keeps you in the confines of neon bar lights, then they don’t deserve an ounce of your time. It feels lonely without them in your life, but since they can’t seem to prioritize you, then it almost feels lonelier when they are in your life. 

Beyond the writing talent that Langley has, her voice is unmatched. Her voice has the perfect amount of raspiness in it to reel you into a song, and then her breath control that produces the most angelic notes will keep you listening for the entire album. Still Hungover also adds diversity to the country music genre, and even though I will never deny a country song I can blast at the beach on a hot summer day, a country song you can listen to while curled under a blanket in bed is also needed.

While the whole album isn’t full of songs I’d add to my crying playlist, they still are worth listening to. So, if you’re looking for a place to start your country journey, and your seasonal depression is kicking in, then give “girl you’re taking home” a listen.