One of country music's finest female vocalists, Jennifer Nettles ventured into a solo project, and did so very well. The time has finally come. Her newly released single, "That Girl," just impacting radio on Aug. 19th, is raising the bar for every other mainstream female artist. Keeping true to her roots, Jennifer tosses in jazz, pop and even soulful influences on the new track, balancing out what is commercially viable and what is true to country music-storytelling. While the men continue doing the same thing over again by releasing party song after tired party song. The females continue to deliver quality material that serves as a beacon of hope for all of the "close-minded traditionalists." "That Girl" is a sultry and slinky response to Dolly Parton's iconic song "Jolene." While incorporating such modern production as hand-claps and a sleek shine, Jennifer allows her voice and lyrics to reveal the track's storyline. Here we have a woman down-trodden by the lies of a two-timing man. He's married and seeks after the mistress for some side action. Come to find out, the mistress has no idea he's married. When she does find out, she breaks it off...and calls up the wife to tell her she doesn't "want to be that girl with your guy, to fool you and make you cry." "I knew he was good looking, maybe too good to be true. But when he kissed me in that alley, I could tell there was a you," she sings. Her voice drips with sensual desire but enraptures the lyrics with a bitter edge, almost mysterious, by layering on an attitude that only Jennifer could relate with. There is an air of film to the delivery, ranging back to a 1950's black and white film, perhaps. As her solo debut release, she definitely has a smash hit here. As one-half of the hugely successful duo Sugarland, Jennifer is poised to become the next great solo female artist, despite a huge barrier that most face when attempting to launch a superstar career. She's already a household name, and by releasing such a risky and bold choice, she just might get the attention people everywhere!!
RATING: 9.5/10
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