Lori Rayne drops her new EP, I Don’t Drink
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
Lori Rayne brings grit and an energetic edge to her country music, leaning on distorted guitars and an alt/country feel while staying rooted in Southern storytelling. On the title track, the mix is heavy, geared more towards the muscular rock side as Rayne sings about celebrating the energy, connection and release of a night out, without alcohol being at the center of it. Loud, confident and rooted in real life, I Don’t Drink proves you can still show up, show out and own the night with no inebriation required.
Tonight I want red lips, tall boots, cut-off jeans
Top it off with my rhinestone hoops
I want a little heel-toe do-si-do
Drop it down real slow
Boot Scoot n’ Copperhead Road
I Don’t Drink is the most honest reflection of who I am as an artist,” Rayne says. “It holds all the styles and influences that shape my sound and personality.” As the EP unfolds, Rayne shows her range while maintaining her edge. The One That Ran Away taps into the ache of lost love and lingering questions. To Be Country nods to the roots she grew up on, grounded and straightforward, while Where Do We Go leans heavier, letting the guitars carry a more alternative, rock-tinged energy. Her stripped-back cover of Jolene, released just after the celebration of Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday, is one of the most personal moments on the EP. Just her voice and a guitar, Rayne lets the song speak for itself, honoring the original while bringing her own rich perspective. By the end of I Don’t Drink, Rayne’s message is clearly about not fitting into a mold, but embracing where she comes from and where she’s headed. For those who grew up loving country music but never quite felt like they fit the stereotype, Lori Rayne’s voice will feel right at home.
Growing up in the heart of the South, this Birmingham native has shaped her sound with the storytelling of country, the rhythm of 90’s hip-hop, rock-music heroes and the blues-soaked energy of her hometown. Lori has taken the stage at major festivals like Pilgrimage Fest and Farm Aid, performed in Nashville’s Song Suffragettes showcase and appeared in international press outlets including Rolling Stone, CMT, the Academy of Country Music, Holler, Wide Open Country and more. Along the way, she’s stayed committed to writing and releasing music that reflects her perspective: bold, honest, and unafraid to push music boundaries. Now based in the Pacific Northwest, Lori is entering a new chapter she proudly calls “y’allternative”, a blend of her Southern roots, country storytelling and the rock-leaning edge that defines her sound today.