Ella Langley dropped her highly-anticipated sophomore album, Dandelion, on Friday, April 10. Serving as the follow-up to her debut effort, Hungover, Dandelion finds Langley digging deeper into her story, blending catchy melodies with vulnerable songwriting that reflects where she’s been, and where she’s headed next.
From family inspirations to full-circle moments and dream collaborations with her musical hero Miranda Lambert, Dandelion offers plenty for fans to unpack. “This record has so much growth in it,” Langley shared in a press release. “I’ve never poured more of myself into a project, into a song, into an idea, and it’s fallen out so beautifully. It’s about learning yourself, making mistakes, and realizing that it’s all just part of life.”
The album’s name was inspired by the actual flower and used as a metaphor, comparing her own life to the plant. “Dandelions are masters of survival, thriving in even the harshest environments, often dismissed as a common weed. This unassuming plant carries a deeper symbolism of hope, healing, and resilience,” she explained.
Langley felt Dandelion was the perfect choice for this next project. “I learned that dandelion tea is actually a natural detox for the liver. So a record called Dandelion after a record called Hungover made all the sense in the world to me,” she continued.
Music Mayhem compiled a list of 10 fun facts about Dandelion below.
Most Personal Album To Date
Dandelion marks Ella Langley’s most-personal album to date.
“This record has so much growth in it,” Langley shared in a press release. “I’ve never poured more of myself into a project, into a song, into an idea, and it’s fallen out so beautifully. It’s about learning yourself, making mistakes, and realizing that it’s all just part of life.”
Dedicated The Entire Album To Her Parents, Siblings And Dogs
Ella Langley dedicated the entire album to her parents, Jason and Heather Langley, and siblings, brothers Thomas and Stuart and sister Katie, as well as her two dogs, Crue and Bee. “This record is dedicated to my parents Jason & Heather, my siblings Thomas, Stuart & Katie and my dogs Crue & Bee,” Langley shared in the album credits.
Co-Produced By Musical Hero Miranda Lambert
Langley worked with her musical hero Miranda Lambert and Ben West on production for the project, a dream come true for Langley, who idolized Lambert growing up and connected to her music.
When Langley was only a teenager, her family suffered a serious financial crisis, and she took solace in “The House That Built Me,” Lambert’s hit ballad about returning to where you were raised many years later. “We lost our house to the bank the day after my 14th birthday,” Langley recalls. “I heard that song for the first time around then. I was like, ‘Whoa, she’s singing about my life.’”
“Ella has a fiery spirit,” Lambert says. “She lives life in a big way and on her own terms. With this record, I wanted to honor her vision every step of the way.… It felt important to help her make choices that stayed true to who she is as an artist.”
A Natural Follow-Up To Debut album, Hungover
Langley has described her new album, Dandelion, as a “detox,” both emotionally and creatively. She felt Dandelion was the perfect choice for a project that follows her debut effort, Hungover, as she shared that she learned that “dandelion tea is actually a natural detox for the liver.”
“So a record called Dandelion after a record called Hungover made all the sense in the world to me,” she explained.
“Froggy Went a-Courtin’” Marks A Full-Circle Moment
The project opens and closes with a snippet of “Froggy Went A-Courtin’,” a traditional folk song Ella Langley has said was one of the first she ever learned to sing, marking a full-circle moment.
“The first two songs I ever learned how to sing were ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Froggy Went A-Courtin’,” Langley shared in an interview with Rolling Stone. “Whenever we do family reunions, everyone would gather around the piano and sing ‘Froggy.’ This record is so personal to me in the way of trying to give you a little insight into not only me, but Alabama, growing up in the country with these old type of songs.”
Covered Kitty Wells’ 1952 Hit
On the project, Langley covers “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” the first song by a solo woman to ever top the country charts.
“Bottom Of Your Boots” Was Inspired By Her Dad
During a recent appearance on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Ella Langley opened up about the personal roots behind her song “Bottom Of Your Boots,” revealing that the title was inspired by a phrase her dad used to say.
“My dad gave me that title, actually,” Langley revealed to Von. “I was having a freak out one night, it’s actually kind of a sweet story, I mean, he was just giving me one of his, you know, ‘Baby, you’re fine… I love you from the bottom of my boots to the top of my hat’ [speeches].”
Star-Studded List Of Songwriters
The project brings together an impressive mix of powerhouse artists and Nashville hitmakers, with credits from Miranda Lambert, ERNEST, Devin Dawson, HARDY, Charlie Worsham, and Meg McRee. They’re joined by some of Nashville’s most in-demand behind-the-scenes talents, including Aaron Raitiere, Joybeth Taylor, Jon Nite, Will Bundy, Laura Veltz, Chris LaCorte, and Luke Dick, among others.
Jake Worthington, Carter Faith On Background Vocals
Jake Worthington, Carter Faith, ERNEST and Miranda Lambert sing background vocals (BGV) on the project. Lambert and Ernest also sing background vocals on the project with Lambert singing on “You & Me Time” and “Butterfly Season,” and ERNEST singing BGV on “Loving Life Again,” while Worthington and Faith appear on Langley’s cover of Kitty Wells’ “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”
Langley’s Touring Guitarist Ben Flanders Plays On Multiple Tracks
Ben Flanders, Langley’s longtime touring guitarist is credited on several tracks on the album, including “Dandelion,” “Choosin’ Texas,” “We Know Us,” “Low Lights,” “Be Her,” “You & Me Time,” “Loving Life Again,” “Bottom Of Your Boots,” “Last Call For Us,” “Broken,” “Somethin’ Simple” and “Butterfly Season.”
