13. May 2026
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Media Review

Ashley McBryde – Wild

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Ashley McBryde - Wild

Ashley McBryde - Wild
5

Rating

 5.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Very personal, straight storytelling
  • Wide variety of songs
  • Fluent, fascinating album

On 8th May 2026, Ashley McBryde is releasing a new album. The US American artist is definitely one of the finest in the country music genre. After Lindeville (2022) and Never Will (2020), her new one Wild is already the third one I am featuring for you. Here is my review.

 

Ashley McBryde – About The Artist

Ashley McBryde was born on 29th July 1983 in Waldrow, Arkansas. With her father being a preacher, she grew up in a rather strict environment. She moved to Nashville in 2007, self-releasing music. Her professional debut single A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega is dated as of 2017. It is a RIAA golden record. The song is also part of her 2018 debut album Girl Going Nowhere, which has been released in 2018. It peaked 7th in the US Country Charts. The 2020 album Never Will even peaked fifth in there. After Lindeville, her third album overall, she released The Devil I Know in 2023. Wild is her fifth studio album overall. Ashley McBryde is a one time CMA Award winner and member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

Ashley McBryde – Wild – Track by Track

The 11 song album lasts 39 minutes.

1. Rattlesnake Preacher

Five songs of Wild have been released before the album already, the two opening songs are part of that. Starting with some bluegrass vibes, Ashley McBryde soon turns into country rock. The song is full of power and energy, only the bridge gives some time to relax. A blast with a personal touch.

My daddy was a rattlesnake preacher
My daddy was a man of God
My daddy was a rattlesnake preacher
In south Alabama
My daddy was the Devil’s undertaker
My daddy was a saver of souls
My daddy was a rattlesnake preacher
Just like his daddy before him was

2. Arkansas Mud

Ashley released Arkansas Mud in February 2026. There are a lot rock’n’roll vibes in this some, which comes with a thumbing beat. The song is indeed Wild, just in line with the title of the record. It’s hard to imagine that an Ashley McBryde song is not full of spirit. This one pushes the rock level hard, indeed.

3. Water in the River

Time for two new songs. The first one, Water on the River, feels rather calm after the powerful beginning. It strikes with a very groovy style, sounding like a blues rocker. Strong lyrics, strong atmosphere and this characteristic force of Ashley McBryde songs – it’s simply a treat.

4. Creosote

Country music is so much about simple people’s life and problems – it almost feels surprising that there are so few songs about Creosote (oil from tar or coal). Ashley is closing the gap in the fourth song, presented with a rather traditional country sound.

Don’t cry for me
Oh, when I die
Just mark my grave
With a railroad tie
In an old pine box
Honey, lay me low
And seal it up with creosote

5. Bottle Tells Me So

Bottle Tells Me So kicks off a set of three feature singles of the record. The song is the first emotional listen on Wild, being a melancholic, thoughtful country music ballad, which nicely focuses on Ashley’s voice. It’s a beautiful and touching experience.

6. What If We Don’t

What If We Don’t has been one of the key songs of the campaign towards the album. The January 2026 release has in fact been the first Ashley McBryde song of this year It is one hymnic, has a touch of a ballad, feels very personal and relatable. A song which stays in your mind long after you have listened to it.

What if we don’t? What if we don’t?
What if we stop fightin’ what we know we both want
We might regret how far we let it go
But what if we don’t?

7. Lines in the Carpet

The April 2026 single has been the last song release before the album. Starting slowly, it unfolds its spirit with the first chorus latest. A rhythmic modern country-rock song with a nicely flowing melody.

8. Behind Bars

If anybody cares to know
Where I learned to bum a smoke
Or why Folsom Prison Blues could make me cry
I keep my cards close to my chest
I got scars on my fists
‘Cause I’m too quick to stand up for my pride

The remaining four songs are all previously unreleased. Behind Bars is a slower, more quiet song with a clear singer-songwriter signature. The song looks back to Ashley McBryde in a very emotional and touching way. You can see my history, it’s tattooed all over me, she states in the last stanza. And you simply calm down and love listening to stories like that.

9. Hand Me Downs

Ashley McBryde looks back to her childhood years in this song. Daddy’s anger and his pride, my mama’s sadness, she taught me how to hide, she states in the lyrics before the chorus. I’m a wrecking ball when I get lonely, courtesy of my old man’s old man, and his old man, she states later. Such an impressing listen, far away from the rocking sound at the beginning of the album.

10. Wild

This part of Wild is so touching, so vulnerable. The title track is no exception. Ashley McBryde recorded a couple of fine songs in here, driven by her excellent storytelling. Remember when we’d go out riding
Just to be gone, she states in the lyrics. Or: I’m still the girl you were chasing. And you feel with her.

Does the wild call out to you from a distance?
Do the razor-wire white-picket fences
Keep you from running for miles?
Wild, do you miss the fire and the freedom
When there wasn’t anything keeping
You from being wild?

11. Ten to Midnight

The closing song is more rhythmic again and thus spreads more ease than the intense tracks before. Wild closes not too rocking, rather calm, with typical country vibes. And you still think about the stories Ashley shared before.

It’s ten to midnight, Cinderella
Yeah, the good part’s already good and gone
Go ahead and raise your hell
‘Cause I can’t save you from yourself or drive you home

 

Ashley McBryde – Wild – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify

 

Ashley McBryde – Wild – Track by Track

Despite Ashley McBryde is definitely a major brand in country music, she still feels underrated. Wild is a perfect proof for that. She is an outstanding storyteller, she is even more truthful than other artists in the Three chords and the truth business. Wild is an amazing album. Thank you for this listen!

Favorite Song: Hand Me Downs

 

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