Nicolle Galyon 'first born' Album Review

This won’t be an ordinary album review because well frankly, this isn’t an ordinary album. Nicolle Galyon has lived her 38 years of life as an overachiever, always striving for the most poetic way to convey her message. For the most part, this has been through her songwriting career that has flourished and has earned her awards and many accolades with artists like Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Kenny Chesney, and more.

Just last month, Galyon announced through her social media that she has decided, on her 38th birthday to celebrate by releasing her debut album. first born is simple yet complex in the most perfect way. It chronicles specific occurrences that have shaped her life while at the same time, being completely relatable to all who listen.

From the first release, “winner” which takes you through each stage of her life, from birth to career woman and achieving many career milestones but knowing that what makes her most proud, is her family. "High five for the girl making dinner, First place for a family of four , I was born in a town called Winner, But I don't live there anymore."

Tracks like “sunflower” and “self care” are reflective and are stunning examples of a journey that women go through. While the former focuses on how Galyon was always tall and stood out from the crowd, she learned as she grew older that what she once thought was a hindrance, turns out to be a wonderful and unique characteristic. The latter showcases self-awareness and finding the true beauty of being comfortable in your own skin. The accompanying visuals for this impeccable song show Galyon without makeup, botox, or hair dye - and by being vulnerable enough to do that, she encouraged all of her friends and family to do the same. Watch the amazing - unfiltered video below.

Another raw and honest song, “tendencies” lists of vices that Galyon struggles with and while she questions whether it's just in her DNA or a trauma that's been passed down, they are just another puzzle piece of her life that shapes who she is.

The album also features "consequences" and "boy" both songs that Galyon was a co-writer on but the first being recorded by pop sensation Camila Cabello while the second was a huge, sentimental hit for Lee Brice.

Her twist on the production, and the fact that she is singing the words she wrote give the tracks a whole new meaning, and the emotion clearly echos through each and every syllable.

Another stand-out is "five year plan" a song Galyon wrote with her husband, another hit songwriter in Nashville, Rodney Clawson. Clawson has had massive success in the country music industry as a Grammy, ACM and CMA nominated writer.

They rarely write together, keeping their business and relationship separate but always continuing to champion each other's wins. The beautiful love song recounts how when an unexpected love appears, your entire life plan can change in an instant.

In our inaugural episode of Nash U, a podcast that highlights the people who are behind the scenes of the music industry in Nashville, Galyon discusses keeping her last name professionally so that when she writes songs, no one will mistake her for her husband and how that decision honors her younger self. Take a listen to the episode here.

As a mother myself, I have struggled with the balance of career and motherhood, and at every turn, this album has given me guidance and strength to continue to chase my dreams but all the while, reveling in the joys of my children and watching them grow.

The album closer “deathbed” is an ode to that struggle, the juxtaposition of what society deems as success and how hard mothers work to achieve both. “Just know, that it killed me not tucking you in and I hope that you know you’re the best thing that I ever did” she sings directly to her children, Charlie and Ford. “If you’re all that I’m known for when I’m all but done for, I won’t try to hold that last breath, if you’re all that’s left of me, I’ll get a good last sleep on my death bed.”

This project, although completely personal to the writer and singer, has found a way to trickle into the hearts of each of her listeners. Every decision whether it was cover art, accompanying visuals, lyrics, or how sonically the record presents itself was a labor of love by Galyon, making her debut record an absolute masterpiece.

We know it took 38 years, but first born was more than worth the wait.