Wildcard
Miranda Lambert · 2019
48 min · 14 tracks · country music
A vibrant blend of country storytelling and rock-infused energy, showcasing resilience and empowerment through diverse themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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White Trash Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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It All Comes Out in the Wash — This track stands out for its catchy chorus and relatable theme about handling life's messes with humor and resilience, reflecting Lambert's signature style.
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Bluebird — Offering an uplifting message about hope and perseverance, 'Bluebird' captures the essence of finding light amidst darkness, showcasing Lambert's lyrical strength.
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Tequila Does — 'Tequila Does' combines infectious melodies with introspective lyrics about love and loss, highlighting Lambert's ability to connect deeply with listeners through storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and energetic performances but has some uneven pacing in its flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a lively tone, while the fourth track shifts to a more introspective ballad, creating a dynamic contrast.
- Several tracks incorporate rock elements, such as electric guitar riffs and driving rhythms, which blend seamlessly with traditional country instrumentation.
- The lyrics across the album frequently explore themes of resilience and empowerment, often using storytelling techniques typical of country music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- sassy anthems for empowerment
- introspective reflections on love
- vibrant storytelling with humor
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant hits
- seek purely instrumental tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and evolution in Lambert's sound and themes.
- Career context
- Wildcard is Miranda Lambert's seventh studio album, released in January 2019, following her critically acclaimed double album The Weight of These Wings from 2016. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a leading voice in contemporary country music while exploring more personal and varied narratives.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kacey Musgraves· Carrie Underwood· Ashley Monroe
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Fire Escape
The narrative shifts from yearning for escape to embracing vulnerability as the protagonist reflects on their emotional struggles.
This transition deepens the song’s emotional impact, illustrating how the desire for freedom can intertwine with the need for connection.
Tracklist
- 1 White Trash Start here 3:10
- 2 Mess With My Head 2:33
- 3 It All Comes Out in the Wash 3:34
- 4 Settling Down 3:17
- 5 Holy Water 3:14
- 6 Way Too Pretty for Prison 3:14
- 7 Locomotive 3:13
- 8 Bluebird 3:29
- 9 How Dare You Love 3:37
- 10 Fire Escape 3:49
- 11 Pretty Bitchin’ 3:31
- 12 Tequila Does 4:01
- 13 Track Record 3:19
- 14 Dark Bars 4:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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