Nashville non-conformist, Kalie Shorr, kicked off December on the road with LeAnn Rimes and receiving major accolades along the way. Recently, The New York Times released their Best Albums of 2019 list which included Taylor Swift’s “Lover” (14), Lana Del Ray’s “Norman ___ Rockwell” (6), Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” (11) and other major all-genre records released over the past year. At No. 7 on pop music critic Jon Caramanica’s list lands Shorr’s “Open Book”, her debut full-length album released in September. It was the only Country release chosen by the renowned critic.
“Open Book”, by the relative newcomer Kalie Shorr, is the sort of gut-wrenching album made by someone who understands how vital and detailed country music can be, and who is faithful to its heritage (including its lineage of resistance). Everyone in Nashville is likely hoping to sandpaper her into something just a little bit less confrontational; fingers crossed that doesn’t happen.” – Jon Caramanica, The New York Times
Asked her initial reaction to this honor Shorr says, “Honestly, I can’t even believe it. I poured my entire heart and soul (even the darkest corners) into this album. For the first time, all that I factored in while creating this was self-exploration and healing. To have that be received by fans and critics alike is all I could have ever hoped for. I’m so honored to be included on a list with some of my personal favorite albums of the year as well.”
Respected rock music critic Craig Manning tweeted, “Big release day in general, but there are two records in particular that I very highly recommend,” and after touting Sturgill Simpson’s new LP, he went on. “The other is the debut album, “Open Book” from Kalie Shorr which is like Red era Taylor Swift, plus A Mark, A Mission era Dashboard Confessional, plus the first two Avril Lavigne albums. ‘Lullaby’ is immediately in the pantheon of all-time great breakup songs.”
Shorr is currently on tour with LeAnn Rimes for her “You and Me and Christmas” Tour and will be playing Nashville’s New Year’s Eve concert, Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight, with Keith Urban, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, The Struts, Amanda Shires, Bren Joy and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Caramanica’s NYT List Includes:
1. 100 gecs, 1000 gecs
2. Bad Bunny, X 100PRE
3. Polo G, Die a Legend / YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Al YoungBoy 2
4. Kim Petras, Clarity
5. Romeo Santos, Utopia
6. Lana Del Ray Norman _____ Rockwell!
7. Kalie Shorr, Open Book
8. Baby Keem, Die for My Bitch / Guapdad 4000, Dior Deposits
9. Kanye West, Jesus Is King
10. 10k.Caash, The Creator
11. Ariana Grande, Thank U, Next
12. Summer Walker, Over It
13. Benny the Butcher, The Plugs I Met
14. Taylor Swift, Lover
