A Review of Kelsea Ballerini's Ep Rolling Up the Welcome Mat For Good | 2023 *Review*
I have closely followed Kelsea Ballerini's career and musical evolution since her early days. As a die-hard fan of Kelsea Ballerini's since her country music debut with "Love Me Like You Mean It" off her first album titled "The First Time," I have witnessed her growth as a singer, songwriter, and artist. What I love most about her as an artist is she's not afraid to step outside genre lines. I am very familiar with Kelsea Ballerini's discography, which includes five full-length albums- "The First Time," "Unapologetically," "Kelsea," the deluxe version of the album "Ballerini," and "Subject to Change." Also, she has released three EPs.
Her latest deluxe EP, "Rolling Up Welcome Mat for Good," was released on August 11th." This EP is an extension of her previous release, "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat," which was released on Valentine's Day earlier this year; the EP features seven songs, including an unreleased track called "How Do I Do This," about dating after divorce. The tracklist is as follows:
Mountain With a View
Just Married
Penthouse (Healed Version)
Interlude (Full Length)
Blindsided (Yeah, Sure, Okay)
Leave Me Again
How Do I Do This
Furthermore, the EP contains new versions of fan favorites such as the emotional yet uplifting “Penthouse” and “Blindsided.” After much pleading from devoted fans, Ballerini also released the full version of the interlude. Yes, the EP has much to do with Divorce and the feelings leading up to a divorce, but it’s also about finding yourself again and healing.
The vulnerability and honesty Ballerini employed while creating this album shows how much she has grown as a songwriter. Her lyrics have always spoken to her fans on a personal level, but this EP has had even more of an impact on her fanbase, especially those going through heartbreak or divorce. With the help of TikTok, songs off the EP have gone viral, allowing her to gain even more recognition and fans.
Recently, Ballerini wowed audiences with her transformative performance of "Penthouse" at the MTV Video Music Awards. I have always been impressed by Ballerini's exceptional talent and skill as a performer, which is evident in her live performances. Her new album showcases her growth and maturity as an artist, and I am excited to see what the future holds for her. In my honest opinion, I believe Ballerini has the potential to reach the same level of success as Taylor Swift.
You can now listen to Rolling Up the Welcome mat for Good anywhere you stream music.
