Album: Wildflower

Introduction
"Wildflower" is the debut studio album by American c and w vocalist and American Idol Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina. Released on October 11, 2011, by Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope Records, the task marked Alaina's main entry into the world of country music. The album received usually favorable evaluations from music critics and peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, showcasing her strong potential as a country artist.

Background and Recording
Lauren Alaina rose to fame in 2011 throughout her involvement on the tenth season of American Idol, where she placed second, behind the ultimate winner Scotty McCreery. Following the competition, Alaina signed a record deal with Interscope Records and Nashville-based c and w label Mercury Nashville. The recording sessions for "Wildflower" happened throughout the summertime of 2011, with famed country music producer Byron Gallimore trapped to head the project.

The album includes a mix of both original songs composed specifically for Lauren and tracks at first written for other artists. The project showcases her strong vocal capabilities and her versatility as an artist, with a mix of ballads, mid-tempo tunes, and positive tracks, all within the worlds of country and country-pop.

Singles
Two singles were launched from "Wildflower". The first, "Like My Mother Does", was launched on May 23, 2011, immediately after the American Idol ending. Written by Liz Rose, Nathan Chapman, and Nikki Williams, the tune is a wholehearted homage to Alaina's mom and the bond that they share. Following its release, the single peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

The second single from the album, "Georgia Peaches", was launched on October 24, 2011. Written by Mallary Hope, Blair Daly, and Rachel Proctor, the up-tempo track acts as an ode to Alaina's house state of Georgia and its gorgeous ladies. The tune peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Reception
"Wildflower" received normally favorable reviews from music critics. Laura Musthaler from Entertainment Weekly applauded the album's lyrical sincerity and Alaina's strong vocals but noted that some songs felt overproduced. Matt Bjorke from Roughstock stated that Alaina showcased her potential as a c and w artist with a solid mix of ballads and up-tempo tracks.

The album debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and sold 69,000 copies in its very first week. As of 2021, it has actually sold over 300,000 copies in the United States.

Legacy and Influence
Although Lauren Alaina's debut album "Wildflower" did not produce any major hit songs, it served as a launching pad for her profession in c and w. The task developed Alaina as a promising up-and-coming skill in the genre and showcased her strong singing abilities and fondness for storytelling. The release of "Wildflower" paved the way for Alaina to release 3 more studio albums and various hit songs, securing her location as one of the brand-new generation of talented country artists.