Album: Cry Pretty

Introduction
Cry Pretty is the 6th studio album by American c and w singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood. Launched on September 14, 2018, by Capitol Records Nashville, the album marks Underwood's first release under the label after leaving her long time association with Arista Nashville. The album received mixed to positive evaluations from music critics, with numerous applauding Underwood's powerful vocals and the album's sincere ballads, while some slammed the songwriting and production choices. Cry Pretty debuted at primary on the United States Billboard 200 chart, making Underwood the first woman in history to attain the feat with 4 successive nation albums.

Background and Production
Carrie Underwood started working on Cry Pretty in 2017, following the release of her 5th studio album, Storyteller, in 2015. The album marks Underwood's first time co-producing her own music, teaming up with producer David Garcia, who has worked with artists such as Kip Moore and Bebe Rexha. Garcia's influence can be heard in the album's mix of standard nation instrumentation and modern pop elements.

Underwood also took on a more considerable role in the songwriting process, co-writing nine of the 13 tracks on the album. A number of the songs on Cry Pretty check out deeply individual styles, consisting of heartbreak, vulnerability, and her experiences as a mom and a female in the music market. Underwood has actually specified that the album was greatly influenced by the events in her life, consisting of a severe facial injury she suffered in late 2017 and 3 miscarriages she experienced while attempting to conceive with her 2nd child.

Album Title and Themes
The album's title track and lead single, "Cry Pretty", was released on April 11, 2018. The song, co-written by Underwood, checks out the idea of vulnerability and the difficulty of concealing one's feelings, particularly when faced with heartbreak or dissatisfaction. The song's effective chorus and skyrocketing vocals set the tone for the emotional journey that the album takes listeners on.

Cry Pretty delves into styles of love, loss, and strength, with tunes such as "Low" and "Spinning Bottles" examining heartache and addiction, while "Love Wins" and "The Bullet" promote messages of hope and unity in the face of misfortune. Underwood also incorporates a sense of female empowerment in tracks like "End Up With You" and "That Song That We Used to Make Love To", showcasing her ability to balance vulnerability and strength throughout the album.

Commercial Performance and Accolades
Cry Pretty achieved industrial success upon release, debuting at primary on the United States Billboard 200 chart with 266,000 equivalent album systems moved, including 251,000 in standard album sales. The album also topped the Top Country Albums chart and reached the top 10 in a number of other countries, consisting of Canada and Australia. The lead single, "Cry Pretty", peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was chosen for Best Country Solo Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Conclusion
Cry Pretty marks a significant moment in Carrie Underwood's profession, as she steps into her role as a co-producer and more solidifies her status as a prominent voice in c and w. The album, grounded in psychological vulnerability and effective vocals, showcases Underwood's ability to produce music that resonates with listeners as she continues to progress and grow as an artist.