Erin Lunsford's sophomore album, "Rhinestones," is a fully realized artistic statement from a songwriter embracing all parts of her journey. Produced by Jacob Ungerleider and Lunsford, the 12-track album chronicles the highs and lows of chasing a creative dream, dealing with rejection, relationships, family struggles, mental health, and the complex process of leaving home behind.
The album is a full-band recording featuring Summer Valentine, Ryan Lipps, Stephen Roach, Caroline Vain, Shannon Bielski, Wynton Davis, Morgan Stewart, and Rome Pratt, with a warm feel rooted in honest storytelling. The album opens with "Name So Pretty," a contemplative examination of family relations, boundaries, and the challenge of understanding between generations.
The emotional core is "Rhinestones," an exploration of the tension between the desire to be noticed and the need to remember the simple power of connecting with you through music. "Call Me If You Need Me" offers comfort, focusing on loyalty and emotional availability. At the same time, "Think Of Daniel" and "I'm Gonna Haunt You" venture into more reflective territory, exploring memories, attachment, and the emotional worlds people carry.
The album continues with "Marigold," a track that suggests growth and a new brightness, while "Last I Heard" deals with distance and a lack of contact, and "Delphia's Sunrise" provides a short, hard punch with hints of Appalachian folk traditions. "Watch Out For Deer" is a bittersweet story of leaving home, and "Crossing Belvidere" is an engaging story of being stuck in a local career channel, trying to find a way out.
"Strawberries" is about community and a testament to Lunsford's commitment to community through a regional tour supporting local food pantries. Then there is "Flood Watch," the album's closing song that reflects on the harsh realities of the music business and the resilience needed to get past disappointment. Mixed by Alex DeJong at Spacebomb Studios, engineered by Curtis Fye and John Trainum, and mastered by Danny Kalb, "Rhinestones" celebrates openness, perseverance, and the courage to keep creating.
