Album: Road Less Traveled

Introduction
"Road Less Traveled" is the second studio album from American c and w vocalist and songwriter Lauren Alaina. Released on January 27, 2017, the album marks a considerable turning point in the artist's profession as it showcases her maturity, growth, and strength as both an artist and a person. Produced by busbee, the album features a total of 12 tracks, consisting of the title track and lead single "Road Less Traveled", which hit the leading spot on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase charts.

Background
Following the release of her debut album, "Wildflower", in 2011, Lauren Alaina dealt with a series of personal and expert challenges that would concern influence her sophomore effort, "Road Less Traveled". The album was composed and recorded during a troubled period in her life, that included her parents' divorce, her battles with an eating disorder, and her fight to restore her voice after singing cord surgery. Alaina co-wrote all 12 tracks on the album, drawing from her own life experiences to produce a deeply personal and relatable body of work.

Music and Lyrics
"Road Less Traveled" showcases Alaina's ability as both a singer and a songwriter, along with her development as an artist. The album is mainly rooted in country-pop, with elements of conventional country music and rock sometimes shining through. The music and instrumentation are energetic and appealing, mixing perfectly with Alaina's effective and emotive vocals.

Lyrically, the album tackles a range of topics, consisting of self-acceptance, empowerment, love, and heartbreak. The opening track and lead single, "Road Less Traveled", speaks of welcoming one's originality and creating one's course in life, while "Same Day Different Bottle" confronts the problem of addiction, drawing from Alaina's daddy's battle with alcohol addiction. "Doin' Fine" functions as a hopeful and encouraging anthem for those facing difficulties, and "Pretty" addresses social pressures placed on ladies relating to body image and self-worth.

Reception
"Road Less Traveled" got primarily favorable evaluations from music critics, who praised Alaina's singing prowess and honest, heartfelt songwriting. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 31 on the Billboard 200. The title track, which worked as the album's lead single, became Alaina's first No. 1 tune on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and is now licensed Platinum by the RIAA.

Effect and Legacy
"Road Less Traveled" strengthened Lauren Alaina's status as a powerful and authentic voice in the c and w scene. The album's success led to numerous honors and elections for the vocalist, consisting of Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2017 CMT Music Awards and New Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2018 ACM Awards. The honesty and vulnerability in her songwriting have resonated with fans and made her a devoted following.

In conclusion, "Road Less Traveled" is a testimony to Lauren Alaina's growth and resilience in the face of significant challenges. The album is a powerful collection of tunes that talk to the heart and soul, using hope, strength, and inspiration to listeners. With this second studio album, Alaina has unquestionably taken her own distinct course in the country music world, paving the way for a brilliant and appealing future.