EP REVIEW: LAKELIN LEMMINGS - GET AROUND BOY

As we mentioned when reviewing Lakelin Lemming's earlier singles #TEAMw21 tirelessly work to bring you tomorrow's stars today. Lakelin, is a 19 year old singer songwriter from Henderson, West Tennessee, and her debut EP "Get Around Boy" suggests that the Country Calling team were wise to snap her up quickly when they exclusively bring her to the UK in August.

Lakelin excels in weaving tales of smalltown America which form the majority of this EP, yet not always in the way you might imagine.The title track "Get Around Boy" pairs a stay at home boy with a go getting girl - It's a relationship that can only end one way however Lakelin puts her own little twist on it.

The opening verse covers a lot of ground, from birth to High School, Lakelin doesn't tell us much about him but the third line fills in a lot of the gaps, and allows us to build up a mental picture.

"We were born on a little map dot - where I thought we'd tie the knot

But in High School it ended just like that, we were heading down different paths

You said home is where you'd be, when I got done chasing my dreams

I've been taking this highway out for a spin

If you only knew, everywhere you've been"

Musically things are built around a steady rhythm section, there's a selection of guitar embellishments and some electronica, the sound though for the opening verse is relatively mellow.

Lakelin ramps up things for the chorus, a real thumping drum sound kicks in as she reveals all the places that she's travelled to

"On a beach out in California,

In my jeep passing through Sedona

Florida Keys you wouldn't believe

All the roads that you’ve been down boy

From New England to Mississippi

You’re always right here with me

For someone who said they’d never

Leave that Tennessee town

 You sure get around boy"

It's not sung with any malice, and see Lakelin if anything still holding kind thoughts even as the next verse reveals the object of her attentions is getting married!

"I heard you’re getting married this June

While I’m out here getting over you

 At least I’ve got some good memories to hold on to

 Til I can move on I’ll be seeing you"

There are more relationship problems within "What Are We Doing?" which deals with the issues of being mistreated and undervalued.

"You make me cry then make me laugh

Blow my phone up

Then don’t text back

You tell me things every girl wants to hear

We’re as good as it gets

So it gets weird"

It leads to a confrontational chorus with Lakelin in a state of bewilderment, the first section sees Lakelin ask the questions in a measured manner, yet as the chorus develops her delivery becomes more rapid fire as her sense of frustration grows.

"What are we doing?

Where’s this going?

Is this door open, or is it closing?

All this on again off again

Feather in the wind

Are we more than friends?

Are we calling it love or calling it quits?

Gets a bit confusing

What are we doing?!

Yeah, what are we doing?"

The second verse is a little incongruous given the first, it's the sort of relationship that only exists in country songs! Would someone who details the events in the opening verse really be thinking "This is the one for me!"

"Maybe we’re just having fun

Or maybe we’re afraid

Cause it feels so right might be the real thing

Am I the one or a face in the crowd?

I wanna know so tell me now"

The bridge leads to decision time.

"No need to complicate it

If you love me baby say it

Or take my heart and break it

Time to face it"

It's a pleasant enough tune but lacks the emotional depth that is to be found elsewhere on the EP

The one song that steps out of the smalltown vibe of the EP is "Keep The Faith" which follows a religious route. This is no flirtation with the good Lord, Lakelin is on record as saying "I always said that if I ever got a platform I would use it for His glory" and there is a stunning version of "How Great Thou Art" on the web so it should not be a surprise that one track of her EP should be set aside for such matters.

"You got a burden

Weighin' heavy on your heart

And you can't see the end

But the only place to start

Is keep the faith"

It gives Lakelin a chance to really demonstate her vocal talents an keep her promise.

"Parking Lot" is a "small town" song, but rather than follow the established route of songs of this type, in either trying to escape from or return to her home town, Lakelin simply celebrates it and lets you know why in the most descriptive of ways. The centre of this affectionate tribute is the at first unlikely prospect of the parking lot, yet so beautifully is it painted in her lyrics that it becomes a reality before your eyes.

Penned by Lakelin alongside co-writer Tiffany Goss and the track’s producer, Ash Bowers, there is an immediate, attention grabbing atmosphere created by a big drum and electric guitar intro, slightly softened by the sound of a mandolin. The opening verse, with an economy of words, just provides little snapshots of what it is like - the line about "Potholes" lets you know that this is not totally seen through rose tinted glasses. There is also a nice link into the chorus

"Sun burnt fade on the black top

Potholes been there for years

Watchin’ cars, goin’ by

Country songs, up high

First kiss, long list

Of everything that happens in a ....."

Lakelin leads us into the chorus where we get to the crux of the matter about what life is like for the youth of a small town in West Tennessee. It's a central hub and a hive of activity though again Lakelin does not sugar coat things, the fourth line carries a lot of frustration for the young folk.

"Parking lot in a small town

 Friday right around sundown

You show up, and show out

Cause there’s nothing else to do

You win friends, you lose some

You fall in love, and you break up

When you’re 16 your world spins around

A parking lot in a small town" 

Later verses show the same style of visually creating a picture by stringing together, a number of fleeting images that are universal enough for us all to be able build a mental picture.

Cowboy hats, flat bills

Tailgates, chrome wheels

Couple loners, a few stoners

Time still stands still in a ....."

With a voice that moves from quaintly reminiscing to full scale balladry, Lakelin is well equipped to cope with both and charms at both ends of the spectrum.

There's even room for big eighties style guitar solo, which could have been a little overblown and clunky yet somehow works

There is a nice realisation from Lakelin in the bridge that this time has been in its own way life affirming

"They say you grow up and move on

But I believe

A part of me, will always be

Here in this West Tennessee .. "

It is the undoubtedly the stand out track of the EP - highlighting the talent that Lakelin has with great aplomb.

The autobiographical "American Dreamin'" once more celebrates her smalltown origins, but manages to perfectly chime with every young girl out there currently singing into their hairbrush as they have across the ages, to say "Hey I'm just like you."

"I grew up in the heartland

A couple miles off the main road

Singin’ along to every country song with a hairbrush microphone

A little voice inside of me said

Girl this is what you’re born to do

Well, that shootin’ star might take me far

But even if it all comes true, I’m a ..."

That inner voice certainly has served Lakelin well as she displays a range and control well ahead of her tender years. That chorus manages to touch upon nearly all of the cornerstones of being a female country singer. It's stirring stuff and comes with a suitably uplifting pop country anthem sound over which Lakelin is most certainly in charge

"Hometown touchdown Friday

Daddy’s girl raised up the right way

Four wheels flyin’ down the highway

Look out world, here I come

Born country always gonna be it

Good book you bet I believe it

Red, white, and blue sky reachin’

Small town American dreamin"

With her sights set suitably high yet equally seemingly grounded, this determination will surely pay dividends

"In the choir on a Sunday

Or the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee

Put me on a stage in New York City"

Lakelin Lemmings will be playing Country Calling August 14th - 16th

https://tickets.country-calling.com/events/country-calling-2026/