Hillary Reynolds’ ‘Changing Seasons’: A Companion of Quiet Resilience
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Hillary Reynolds, a Wisconsin-born, Los Angeles-based songwriter, makes a profound statement with her long-awaited debut solo album, ‘Changing Seasons’ (Released August 8, 2025). Known for her success writing for others—including cuts for Little Big Town (“Next to You”) and Dani Rose (“Got It from My Mama”), and music featured in TV shows like Yellowstone and Loudermilk—Reynolds steps into the spotlight with a collection of songs too personal to pitch away.
The eight-track album, clocking in at just over 26 minutes, is an intimate meditation on transformation. Written and recorded over a five-year period that spanned the pre-pandemic world and the profound transition into motherhood, the record serves not as a life-changing grand gesture, but, as Reynolds herself intended, “a soothing companion to morning routines” and a “grounding meditation” before the day’s chaos. Produced by Benjamin Kopf, the soundscape is rooted in acoustic-folk and Americana, layered with ethereal vocal harmonies and delicate arrangements that Reynolds envisions as an album “if Jane Austen and Beatrix Potter made an album.” Her voice is often noted for its clarity and sensitivity, drawing comparisons to artists like Carrie Newcomer and even Judee Sill.
Track-by-Track Review
1. Changing Seasons The title track immediately establishes the album’s introspective tone. Built on a gentle foundation of cello, piano, and acoustic guitar, the song is a thoughtful exploration of how love and life evolve as we do. Reynolds’ vocal delivery is warm and sincere, capturing a quiet acceptance of the passage of time. It’s about “dropping into the beauty of the moment” and allowing oneself to be present, a perfect thematic anchor for the album’s mission as a ‘companion.’
2. Can’t Turn Off My Mind Co-written with Madison Malone, this track is a candid and relatable look at insomnia. It moves with a gentle, folk-pop rhythm, carried by Reynolds’ soft piano and a subtle bounce that contrasts with the lyrical anxiety. The honesty about the “endless to-do list running through my brain at 3 a.m.”—a feeling intensified by her new motherhood—is refreshing. The arrangement is exceptional, featuring delicate octave mandolin and background vocals that weave around Reynolds’ lead, providing a sense of comfort despite the restless subject matter.
3. Disappearing A more traditionally folk-ballad in structure, “Disappearing” tackles the subject of friends who vanish from your life, while simultaneously holding a door open for their return. Critics have praised its charged balladry and heartfelt lyricism, drawing favorable comparisons to the work of Joni Mitchell. The song highlights Reynolds’ skill for observational, yet deeply personal, storytelling, with her voice resonating with genuine emotion.
4. Gaslight The densest and arguably most atmospheric track on the album, “Gaslight” delves into the feeling of overwhelm and hollowness that comes from being emotionally manipulated. Written in the wake of the 2016 US election, Reynolds allowed her subconscious and intuition to guide the writing. The track evokes a ‘dream pop’ sensibility, with ambient keyboards and strings behind her voice and guitar, sometimes recalling the moodiness of bands like Mazzy Star. Her vocal harmonies are especially notable here, creating an ethereal, weaving texture reminiscent of her choral roots and a subtle nod to composers like Eric Whitacre.
5. Magic The shortest track on the album, “Magic” is a simple, spare acoustic guitar song. It recounts a very specific, joyful memory: getting engaged on the night of the 2016 US election. Its brevity and minimal instrumentation serve to amplify the intimacy and clarity of the moment, offering a pocket of pure, unadulterated hope amid the album’s other heavier themes.
6. Jumping In This stately track leans closer to the “dream pop” description with its ethereal vocal and the album’s most dynamic arrangement, “flex[ing] some rock muscle” according to one review. It embodies the courage of taking a leap—into a relationship, a new life, or even a daunting creative project—with a compelling mix of tension and release. It’s assertive and focused, showing Reynolds can deliver pop sensibility without sacrificing the song’s emotional core.
7. No One Knows I’m Here The track that critics noted has the most “country” or playful bounce to it, setting it apart from the rest of the album’s prevailing introspection. Reynolds describes it as exploring “wild spaces with a lighter heart and lightness of foot.” The arrangement is wonderfully executed, and its brighter energy and more rhythmic nature act as a brief, welcome intermission before the final closing number.
8. You and I A beautiful, commercially accessible closer, written just a week before Reynolds’ wedding. This is arguably the most mainstream track, with one reviewer suggesting it has an “Alison Krauss breathy touch.” Reynolds chose this to be the final track, stating it was essential to end the album with the line, “I am home when you’re close to me.” It provides a final moment of grounding and resolution, underscoring the album’s theme of finding stability and home amidst life’s inevitable chaos.
Summary
‘Changing Seasons’ is a highly recommended debut that solidifies Hillary Reynolds as a formidable solo artist in the singer-songwriter and Americana spaces. Each of the eight songs feels like a complete, short story, showcased with skill and distinction. The production is warm and sophisticated, enhancing Reynolds’ superb vocal tonality and thoughtful, honest lyrics. It’s an album meant to ease a listener into their day, a mission which is fully accomplished with this peaceful, deeply personal, and highly polished set of tunes.