Ever since the release of the single “Choosin’ Texas” in October 2025, Ella Langley has become the face of the country music genre. Langley rode that high into the release of her highly anticipated second studio album “Dandelion,” on April 10. While country music is still in the grips of bro-country, Langley brings a classic sound that is refreshing to hear in an era of overproduced, genre–bending records.
The smash hit “Choosin’ Texas,” which has spent six non-consecutive weeks as the number one song in the United States, is a catchy track. “Choosin’ Texas” not only centers around the classic tension between Tennessee and Texas in country music, but the story of a boyfriend that Langley loses to the lone star state. While the chorus is mesmerizing in its pace and instrumentals, the bridge shows Langley’s emotion as her vocals go into a tone that captures the desperation of the situation, that stabilizes just to dramatically heighten again for the final chorus.
“Dandelion” is just the second album in Langley’s young career. Only 26, Langley had previous success with her breakout song “weren’t for the wind,” but really found her footing when she collaborated with Riley Green on the hit duet “you look like you love me,” in 2024. “Choosin’ Texas” has solidified Langley as one of the best acts in country music, holding in her possession the longest running number one song by a female country artist in history.
The title track of the album combines Langley’s vocals with a soothing guitar instrumental that subtly guides the song. “Dandelion” sees Langley realize she is never going to be the stereotypical girl in her head, that she is always going to have a little country edge. The song is a beautiful metaphor for acceptance and freedom that Langley loves to express in her music.
The theme of acceptance also carries over to the rest of the album, as Langley pulls from relationship experiences to express the reality of who she is in songs like “We Know Us.”
The classic song is about knowing that a relationship is not going to work but trying again anyway. Langley showcases her range, stretching her vocals and emphasizing every “burn” lyric to put energy into the tune. The bridge is a highlight of the album, as Langley belts beautifully with the guitar kicking in to back it in a tremendous blend.
Langley’s second single off the album, “Be Her” is arguably more catchy than “Choosin’ Texas” and serves as a vision of what Langley longs to be. The song continues the theme of what a woman should be in Langley’s eyes, like seen in the title track. The No. 8 song in the country, “Be Her” sees Langley looking at the ideal woman in her mind. Langley wants to be the classy mother, who has almost zero vices. The stereotypical vision of the perfect southern lady. Langley does not reject this stereotype, but instead acknowledges that she is far from it, stating that she is jealous of the image.
Langley also dives into the Megan Moroney–style breakup song throughout the album, including the song “I Gotta Quit.” The tune is an aggressive honky-tonk-esque song that could be played in a packed southern bar. The fast moving lyrics and aggressive electric guitar riffs are reminiscent of something from a Luke Combs or Morgan Wallen song. Langley sings about seeing her ex-boyfriend in everything she does and needing to stop thinking about him. This song has also spurred speculation that Langley is talking about fellow country music stars Riley Green and Moroney. Fans had believed Langley and Green were in a relationship post “you look like you love me” and now rumors have spread with Green connected to Moroney. Langley sings, “If I smell a cigar or a cigarette / Every random pair of wrangler jeans / Every blonde haired, blue eyed ten I see / Got me comin’ undone, got a few screws loose / Damn it, I gotta quit thinkin’ bout you.” The change of style fits Langley well and the lead into the slower last chorus perfectly represents her frantic head space that suddenly drops back to reality.
Much of the album shows Langley in a state of contemplation about herself and her relationships. The back half of the album allows her to show that she is breaking out of repressing her emotions and shows that she has given herself permission to be herself. “Broken” is a slower song where Langley expresses wanting to stop avoiding her sadness and let her emotions out. The back half of the album gets more raw and lyrically rich, something Langley has improved on since her breakout onto the scene.
While Langley has firmly hit commercial success with “you look like you love me” and “Choosin’ Texas,” “Dandelion” shows that she has still maintained the authentic country vibe. Langley nails honky-tonk bar music with songs like “I Gotta Quit” and also brings the emotional songs you can cry to with “Broken,” “Butterfly Season” and “Last Call For Us.” Langley’s storytelling ability is strong and it is enhanced with graceful vocals and hypnotizing instrumentals. “Dandelion” expands on a small catalogue that has already made a vast impact on the ever–growing legacy of the country genre and is a must listen for modern country music consumers.
