Lanie Gardner Faded Polaroids

A Sonic Scrapbook of Self-Discovery: Lanie Gardner’s Faded Polaroids Paints a Masterpiece

By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine

Named by the Recording Academy as a “2025 Artist to Watch,” Lanie Gardner’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Faded Polaroids, is a stunning testament to her evolution as an artist. Far from a simple collection of songs, this 18-track project is a meticulously crafted sonic scrapbook, chronicling a journey of self-discovery, romantic twists, and personal healing. Gardner, who hails from the small Appalachian town of Burnsville, NC, seamlessly blends country storytelling with indie-rock grit, small-town pop, and raw emotion, creating a genre-bending vision that is uniquely hers. The album finds her fully stepping into her sound, transforming diary entries into cathartic anthems with an honesty that is both unfiltered and unforgettable.

Track-by-Track Review:

1. “Takin’ The Slow Ride”: The album opens with a soul-cleansing, reflective track. With a steady, comforting rhythm, this song feels like a deep, cleansing breath—a deliberate choice to start the journey at a relaxed pace, inviting the listener to settle in for the ride. It’s the perfect introduction to an album that values introspection and honest reflection.
2. “Boys Like You”: A poignant and melodic mid-tempo track, this song explores the bittersweet complexity of a specific type of romantic partner. Gardner’s vocals are layered with a sense of both yearning and weary wisdom, painting a vivid picture of a love that is difficult to quit but perhaps equally difficult to sustain.
3. “Boot Down”: This track is a burst of fierce, unapologetic energy. With an assertive tempo and sharp, confident lyrics, Gardner delivers a powerful anthem of independence. It’s the moment she plants her feet firmly on the ground, a declaration that she’s no longer playing by anyone else’s rules. The production here is gritty and propulsive.
4. “The Hills Have Eyes”: Shrouded in an atmospheric and slightly haunting soundscape, this song feels like a nod to her Appalachian roots. It’s a compelling narrative about the weight of community, the secrets that linger in the shadows, and the feeling of being constantly watched. It’s a moment of gothic country that adds a layer of depth to the album’s emotional spectrum.
5. “Little Bit Of Lovin’”: A sweet and breezy track that serves as a respite from the album’s heavier moments. This song is a straightforward, genuine expression of simple affection. Its uncomplicated charm and melodic hook make it an instantly lovable earworm.
6. “Faded Polaroids”: The album’s nostalgic title track is a masterclass in evocative storytelling. Rich with rootsy instrumentation and a heartfelt melody, Gardner uses the metaphor of old photographs to explore memory, change, and the passage of time. It’s a tribute to her family, a sentimental look back at the people and places that shaped her, and a beautiful emotional centerpiece for the album.
7. “Don’t Fall In Love”: A cautionary tale delivered with a tender urgency. Gardner’s vocals here are a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength as she warns a potential suitor—or perhaps herself—of the complications that love can bring. It’s a raw and honest admission of self-preservation.
8. “Rattler And The Devil’s Whip”: This song is a bold and immersive journey into Appalachian folklore. With a raw, earthy production, the track feels like a modern-day folk song. It’s a testament to Gardner’s ability to turn abstract concepts into compelling, tangible stories, rooted in the rich tapestry of her heritage.
9. “Mama’s Kitchen Table”: A heartfelt and beautifully rendered tribute to her roots. This song is a warm, nostalgic snapshot of family and home. It’s a reminder of where she came from and the simple, enduring values instilled in her, capturing the powerful magic that happens around a kitchen table.
10. “Hold Your Horses”: A moment of grounded wisdom, this track feels like good, honest advice set to music. It’s a steady, reassuring song that encourages patience and a mindful approach to life’s chaotic moments. It’s a mature and self-aware entry in the album’s narrative arc.
11. “Concrete Cowboy”: As described, this track is smoldering with a simmering energy. It’s a powerful exploration of identity, blending the traditional “cowboy” ethos with the modern, urban landscape. The song is a declaration that her small-town roots and big-city dreams can coexist, and in fact, make her even stronger.
12. “How Long ‘Til Tennessee”: A quintessential journey song, this track captures the longing and restless anticipation of chasing a dream. The lyrics beautifully articulate the excitement and uncertainty of leaving home for Nashville, painting a picture of her late grandfather’s dream and her determination to fulfill it.
13. “Jeans”: A simple but deeply personal song, “Jeans” is an anthem of comfort and familiarity. It’s about the feeling of being at home in your own skin, or in this case, in a pair of jeans that have seen you through everything. It’s a relatable and down-to-earth track that shows her connection to her audience.
14. “Love You Like Appalachia”: A breezy, sweeping love song that uses her homeland as a powerful metaphor for enduring love. The song’s melody feels as vast and beautiful as the mountains themselves, and her vocals are filled with a pure, unfiltered affection that feels deeply personal and heartfelt.
15. “Buzzkill”: A sharp, witty, and unapologetic track. The production is a brilliant mix of indie-pop and country sensibilities, and the lyrics are a smart take on a person or situation that drains all the fun out of a moment. It’s a track that proves Gardner isn’t afraid to call things as she sees them.
16. “Ur Mad”: The most direct and confrontational song on the album. With its unfiltered title and fiery delivery, it’s a moment of pure, confident self-assertion. It’s a defiant statement that she won’t apologize for who she is, a perfect example of her gift for turning diary entries into anthems.
17. “Daddy Didn’t”: A raw and deeply emotional song that explores a unique aspect of her family dynamic. The track is filled with vulnerability, as she reflects on the things she learned—and didn’t learn—from her father. It’s a cathartic and beautifully honest piece of songwriting.
18. “High Divin’”: The album’s lead single and a fitting closer. Featuring the legendary Mick Fleetwood on drums, this is a powerful, atmospheric anthem. It captures the emotional leap of self-sabotage while honoring the journey that brought her to this point. The shimmering guitars and soaring vocals make it a truly epic and soul-stirring conclusion to the album.

Final Thoughts:

Faded Polaroids is an ambitious and successful album that firmly establishes Lanie Gardner as an artist to be reckoned with. She has crafted a record that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, proving her talent for turning life’s messy moments into unforgettable art. With its seamless blend of genres and fearless emotional honesty, this album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, boundary-free music. It’s a new benchmark for Gardner and a sign of the even greater things to come.