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While these two female powerhouse vocalists share a unique musical perspective on a singer-songwriter, country style mix sound; one maintains her light Bluegrass/Americana tones, and the other seamlessly creates a country-pop fusion together that matures with ease.

Kelsea Ballerini got her pinnacle moment in 2015, when she and her label, Black River Entertainment; dropped her debut album, The First Time. Over the course of that year she solidified herself as a household, family-friendly, artist. Her sweet-but-confident attitude on songs like “Love Me Like You Mean It,”Yeah Boy,” and “Square Pegs;” gave her an edge from some of her competitors like Maddie and Tae, and Raelynn. Now, on her third round with Kelsea, the album flourishes with a springtime vibe and feel-good tones. At the same time, songs like “Homecoming Queen” and “The Other Girl” (featuring Halsey), pack a powerful punch.

And then there’s biker starlet, Ashley McBryde. Upon her debut with her first EP, Jalopies & Expensive Guitars, McBryde commanded her own persona and sound by introducing an element of traditional sounding country within flares of pop, rock, bluegrass and americana; all conjuring up what brings her to life on stage.

Ashley packs the album full of lyrical punches. Telling stories of perseverance on “Hang In There Girl,” a longing for freedom on “Sparrow,” and a newly renowned confidence and personal ownership on “Never Will.” At the same time, one will certainly feel like they have been blasted back to the era of the wild west when songs “Martha Divine” and “Shut Up Shelia” sound off.

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Overall, these albums – Kelsea and Never Will, represent hidden growth like no other. And I say “hidden” because aside from their respective singles, like many of the women in country music, Kelsea and Ashley do not hear their music blasting on heavy rotation like their male counterparts such as: Sam Hunt and Kane Brown. Additionally, if this quarantine doesn’t completely make you lose your mind like many, these two albums might just be key to finding solace in a crisis. After all, music is the greatest escape from the moment.