In an era of big album drops and large campaigns, let’s take a moment to acknowledge those smaller artists who are doing something thought-provoking and artistically exciting. One Nashville-based artist who is making waves within country music is Carter Faith. Having toured with artists like Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Cyrus, Faith released her debut album, “Cherry Valley” on Oct. 3.
The album successfully takes you back in time — not only through Faith’s reflections on her own life but also through its nostalgic sound reminiscent of country music of the ‘60s and ‘70s. That being said, this album also takes on the modern experience of young adults, especially those in our twenties who enjoy a good time, love a bit of sarcasm and feel things very intensely.
“Cherry Valley”
The title track brings the listener into “Cherry Valley,” both metaphorically and literally. Faith’s beautifully haunting, eerie voice opens this album by singing “Let’s go back to Cherry Valley / Where the wild things grow,” which is essentially an invitation not only to reminisce about one’s own life but also to imagine this whimsical and mysterious place. Through lyrics such as “I’d never let you go,” Faith also lends to this idea that for some, “Cherry Valley” might be a person, and for others it may be a place or feeling they wish to remain stuck in. With a slow build-up of energy and emotion, Faith welcomes you into and sets the tone for “Cherry Valley” as an immersive experience.
“Sex, Drugs, & Country Music”
Turning toward Faith’s typical, satirical, more playful musical style, this next song plays into the old country music tradition of talking verses. Additionally, Faith pulls on other classic country references such as The Highwaymen, pedal steel and a rowdy allusion to the life of a country music star. While this is a fun glimpse into another life, done so with elements of humor and irony, Faith keeps the music relatable to general audiences with the idea that “Sex, Drugs, & Country Music” are just distractions from real heartbreak.
“Arrows (Die For That Man)”
With “Arrows,” Faith portrays the feeling of literally being struck down by love. She sings that she would never let love kill her but “would surely die for that man,” capturing the emotional toughness in the verses that are guarded, defiant and hard to love. These contrasted with the more melodic and vulnerable chorus, where she admits she would ultimately give everything for someone she loves. Although this song may seem intense, Faith lightens the tone by humorously noting that “Cupid’s got a real steady hand.”
“Bar Star”
Starting with a retro pedal steel guitar sound reminiscent of older country and mentions of neon lights, “Bar Star” sets itself up to be the perfect bar song of the year. I imagine it being a fun one to sing, dance to and maybe even use as an excuse to talk to someone at a local bar. Faith sings about preferring a man who is a good time – a “happy hour hero,” if you will. It is a fun, playful concept, especially for anyone hoping to find their soulmate on Broadway.
“Betty”
In this more upbeat, jealousy-themed song, Faith begins by idolizing a gorgeous woman with “sun-kissed hair” named Betty. Then she twists the narrative by playing with words, singing “I bet he’s with Betty right now.” This song reminded me of a friskier, high spirited version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” as Faith sings, “Why you gotta be so pretty? Why you gotta take my man?” This was a refreshing take on this common “other woman” storyline within the country music genre.
“Grudge”
Having heard Faith sing this song when she opened for Ella Langley last year and listening to it since it dropped in April, I can confidently say this is one of my favorite songs on the album. With the rise of tongue-in-cheek, angry girl country music from people like Kaitlin Butts, Carrie Underwood, Ella Langley and more, this song fits right in. “Grudge” is a perfect balance of humor, rage and small-town culture. Faith uses her sense of sarcasm, background comments and, of course, stunning vocals to reveal that she will hold a grudge even on her “deathbed.”
“Six String”
While this next song is quite a change from “Grudge,” it is emotional, vocally jaw dropping and displays the aftermath of what it feels like to be played like a “six string.” Faith’s vocal and song content range is absolutely showcased in this track. This song goes into the depths of a toxic relationship and the impact it can have on someone, sung directly to the other half of said relationship, which makes it all the more bone-chilling.
“If I Had Never Lost My Mind…”
Returning to the similar haunting mood of “Cherry Valley,” Faith questions the fate of a past relationship, if she had only been “a little more stable.” This was also released before the album back in February, though very
different from her other early releases: “Grudge,” “Bar Star,” “Arrows” and “Sex, Drugs, & Country Music.” With this darker tone, Faith perfectly portrays this stage of self-blame that someone goes through in any sort of traumatic life event.
“Misery Loves Company”
Staying with the slower, sadder songs, “Misery Loves Company” builds on feelings of resentment, loneliness and exhaustion within a relationship. In this track, Faith expresses a desire to leave, suggesting that her partner remains with her not out of love but out of a fondness for melancholy and a need to drag her down with them.
“Drink Up, Baby”
This song, while a bit on the calmer side, addresses this interesting idea of Faith remaining in her ex’s memory and her image even being at the “bottom of the cup.” Fitting well into both of Faith’s two main categories within this album — breakup songs and bar songs — “Drink Up, Baby” and its catchy chorus is sure to remain in people’s heads.
“Burn My Memory”
Given the pace of the previous songs, one might expect the next track to remain slow, but Faith quickly turns up the heat, beat and anger. She plays with tempo, using slower verses to acknowledge calmly how her love will continue to haunt an ex. Then she shifts to a fast, devil-may-care chorus, where she dares him to try to burn everything she owns in attempts to burn her memory, thus insisting he will never succeed, no matter how hard he tries.
“Sails”
On a different note than the rest of the tracks on “Cherry Valley,” Faith takes an air of optimism in “Sails.” She sings through multiple different hardships, from not winning, to your sky falling, to people talking behind your back and, of course, to heartbreak. While Faith addresses hardships in other songs, this one stands out, as she encourages her listeners to persevere and to “adjust your sails, even if you get turned around.”
“So I Sing”
This song retells a harsh, traumatic upbringing through visuals of parents fighting and needing support from siblings. Faith then goes to break down how she has found peace, inspiration and an escape through singing. She also references some of her idols in this song, from Eric Church to Tammy Wynette.
“Changed”
For me, this song is especially representative of “Cherry Valley,” with its simple, classic country sound, Faith’s signature chilling vocals and the recurring theme of clinging to memories and experiences that have “changed” you. More specifically, she reflects on wishing she had a “picture” of a particular moment – something tangible to hold onto – and expresses a longing to return to that time or person. This idea that “a story has to end” is also very indicative of this theme of the album that certain things must be trapped in time and revisited in memory but not reality.
“Still A Lover”
With the final song on the album, Faith continues the eerie, shaky, almost failed love story vibes that run throughout the project. That said, this track focuses more clearly on the experience of falling deeply in love, “turning to putty” in someone’s arms and being reminded of what it feels like to be truly “desperate” for love.
If this “Cherry Valley” fantasy land was not enough, Faith has already released some retro-themed, 70s-inspired visuals to go along with the album, which not only drive home the aesthetic but also give us a glimpse into her stage presence and how she envisions this world. All in all, she succeeds in portraying the messy, chaotic, emotional and fun-loving experience of young adulthood — something I can confidently say I, and many others my age, have experienced.
