11. August 2025
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Media Review

Ashley Monroe – Tennessee Lightning

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Ashley Monroe - Tennessee Lightning

Ashley Monroe - Tennessee Lightning
4.3

Rating

 4.3/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • An album with a 17 song story
  • Beautiful voice
  • Wide range of tracks

Ashley Monroe is known as a solo artist as well as part of the Pistol Annies. In April 2021, I reviewed her fifth and most recent solo album Rosegold already. On 8th August 2025, she is releasing her sixth album, Tennessee Lightning. Here is my review.

 

Ashley Monroe – About The Artist

Ashley Lauren Monroe is a US-American singer-songwriter. The country music lady was born on 10th September 1986 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She already won a regional talent contest at the age of 11 and moved to Nashville in later teenage years. Her first publishing deal lead to her 2009 debut album Satisfied. With the sophomore album Like a Rose (2013), she made it to the Top 10 of the US Country Album Charts. The following album, The Blade (2015), even peaked second in these charts.

 

Ashley Monroe – Tennessee Lightning – Track by Track

The 17 song album lasts 61 minutes.

1. I’m Gonna Run (feat. T Bone Burnett)

Ashley Monroe starts it very slowly. While more than the first minutes just features a some instrumental sounds, the song recorded with Grammy-winning T Bone Burnett is a dark, slow Americana track with a gospel touch. Let’s hope that the whole Tennessee Lightning experience is not that scary.

2. Risen Road

Risen Road is one of the songs released before the album. The song stays on the slower side, but after the goth-alike beginning, the melodic energy feels highly appreciated. With lines like Let the devil heal your soul, the song keeps a dark touch at the beginning. However, the spiritual experience later states You can seek forgiveness, so you can be reborn and thus leaves a more optimistic outlook.

3. Closer

The next song on Tennessee Lightning is the gentle Closer. It has a very emotional and sensual touch. So come closer – you definitely like to take that invitation and enjoy the very mature and beautiful ballad-alike one.

4. The Touch (feat. Marty Stuart)

Come lay down beside me
Let the sunlight kiss your eyes
There’s a fire deep down inside me
Cannot be denied
Hold on to me this morning
The time stands still
Come be my baby
Promise me you always will

There are some really interesting guest musicians on the album. The single release The Touch has been recorded with Marty Stuart. The style of the song is in line with the album so far: very personal with an intimate touch, the song does not need too many instruments for a major part. Ashley Monroe is telling her story and wants to embrace the listener with it. That’s working out very well in here – even though some parts do have a lengthy touch.

5. Magnolia

Six of the seventeen songs of the album have been released beforehand. Magnolia is another one of them. The song has a more energetic touch, the marching bass and drums lead to to a slightly rocking touch in the background. The focus stays on Ashley Monroe and her high voice, though. The chorus then spreads a lot of warmth and harmony.

This isn’t what I told myself it was
Skin like cinnamon and fire
A thousand times, I think I’ve been there in my mind
But I’m dreaming of magnolia tonight

6. My Favorite Movie

The sound of My Favorite Movie feels very different to the songs before. The intro is piano-driven, having an orchestral touch. Thereafter, the song stays very harmonic and spreads a lot of warmth and love. The romantic track moves away from country music, but is a beautiful listen. You’re my favorite movie, it runs through my head – the narrative of the album stays at a very high level.

7. Hot Rod Pipe Dream

Hot Rod Pipe Dream feels like a lovely summer day road track soundtrack. The song has a rock music signature with flavors of alternative and Americana vibes. After the bridge, there is a little break in the song, which makes it even feel more interesting.

8. Amen Love

Amen Love is a very versatile, melodic track again. There is a lot of depth in it. It contrasts between very fine tunes and a rocking guitar solo part. Despite this instrumental span, the vocal side stays relatable. A fascinating setup, which feels like deserving more attention.

9. Moth

Tennessee Lightning continues with Moth. It is an introspective narration with drum computer-alike background rhythms. A song which reminds of pop tracks by artists like Taylor Swift, but overall defines its very own style.

10. Bitter Swisher Sweet (feat. Brittney Spencer)

Bitter Swicher Sweet is a collaboration with Baltimore country artist Brittney Spencer. However, the two country ladies move away from their musical home base in here. There is a laid back groove from the bass, the vibes remind of hip hop, there is even some scratching sound in it. Nonetheless, the guitars also have their part. It sounds like potpourri, but the soulful track still works out surprisingly well – and catches the listener.

11. You and Me

The next song is You and Me. The song again feels a bit of melancholic, but also very thoughtful. Ashley Monroe impresses with her versatile style. Similar to Amen Love, I feel that the song is a bit in the background in the context of the album – even though it is a really nice listen.

12. Recover (feat. Karen Fairchild)

Karen Fairchild is one one of the members of the so-many-awards-winning vocal country music group Little Big Town. Having her on this song almost guarantees a high level of vocal quality. And Fairchild does not disappoint in here, definitely. The only unfortunate fact about the song is that it is the shortest on Tennessee Lightning, lasting just 2:46 minutes. I would have loved to have some more of it.

13. There You Are

Ashley Monroe takes you to the piano and presents There You Are. The fragile ballad is also the last previously released track on the album. One of the most beautiful moments of the album, indeed.

14. Blown Away (feat. Brendan Benson)

Michigan-native Brendan Benson is rather known for indie rock and powerful pop songs. However, in the orchestral Blown Away, he is part of a very harmonic country-folk track. The focus stays on Ashley Monroe and her voice. Violins and other instrument in a wide arrangement add to the plushy listen.

15. That’s No Way To Say Goodbye

The farewell from Tennessee Lightning is coming closer, when Monroe states That’s No Way To Say Goodbye. She manages to get a very own look on this Leonard Cohen original. The song feels to fit perfectly into the context of the album.

16. Moon Child

Ashley Monroe manages to connect to the listener again and again with very different methods. The second last track Moon Child more or less just needs her voice and some atmospheric backing from the bass. A catching moment.

17. Jesus Hold My Hand (feat. Armand Hutton)

The album closes with the gospel-ish Jesus Hold My Hand. The song is supported by Grammy-nominated writer and producer Armand Hutton. The album closes spiritual, but is not religious at all.

 

Ashley Monroe – Tennessee Lightning – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Ashley Monroe – Tennessee Lightning – My View

Tennessee Lightning is a perfect example for that an album is much more than a set of individual songs. Ashley Monroe presents a wide range of tracks and sometimes moves quite far out of her comfort zone. This leads to a unique character, even though not all of her 17 songs are striking. That’s really impressing.

Favorite Song: Recover

 

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