One of country music’s defining characteristics has always been its compelling storytelling. Today, lyricism is a hotly debated topic, particularly in the wake of the decade-long dominance of bro country, a period when beer brands and truck manufacturers received more free advertising than ever through music. When it comes down to it, the heart of country music has always been about connecting listeners to real experiences and emotions, and Avery Anna is currently one of the best examples of what that looks like. In our interview with Avery, we got a glimpse of the many layers of her artistry that fans haven’t fully seen, from discovering new sounds and creative directions to future collaborations, deeper songwriting, and personal experiences that have shaped her new music.
Last year, Anna released her album let go letters, a project inspired by the stories fans shared with her during her tour. As it was only her second album, it may have seemed like a risk to go fully conceptual, though in her case, it allowed fans to see her outstanding talent expressing emotions that don’t often surface in her lyrics. The whole project felt like a natural extension of the empathy and emotional awareness that already define her songwriting. Speaking on the album and tour, she shared:
“let go letters was a really great opportunity for people to share what they were going through… It was really eye-opening for me to see the types of things that people were struggling with, but it also made me think about my own personal experiences… After the let go letters tour, I was able to sit and reflect on my own life for a second, and that led to me writing some songs about it… ”
(When asked about the possibility of another let go letters project, Anna clarified, “I wouldn’t be opposed to it…”)
Avery claims her new EP, forgive, forget, shows her more vulnerable than ever before, though it also leans into the rock influence she recently previewed on her cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears.” Viral clips of the performance circulated online, highlighting Anna’s electric guitar skills and a noticeably heavier sound that fans haven’t seen much of.
“The Ozzy cover comes from something that’s always been in my blood, and it definitely made my dad proud. I’ve also gained a lot of male fans from it, which is really fun… I love rock, and that surprised everyone, but it was really just like another day for me… I think people have yet to discover a lot of my layers…
I’ve kept it pretty simple so far, but I’m done playing it safe.”
“Indigo,” which Avery released with Sam Barber in 2024, marked a breakout moment for both artists, reaching far beyond the typical country music audience. For many country listeners, the collaboration was the first time they encountered either artist. Appearing on Sam’s album Restless Mind, the sound the two created together felt gritty and authentic, filled with soul, yet noticeably different from what many of Avery’s fans were used to hearing from her. Commenting on this newfound sound, she stated:
“I have a very unique style and so does he, and they are not similar, but when we write together, it’s really cool to see how those puzzle pieces fit. In the writing room, we complement each other so well, because we have mutual respect for each other’s ideas… we always end up with something really cool… We’ve gotten a lot of really good songs out of it…
There’s got to be more with Sam because we have written endless amounts of songs… I don’t know when, but people can expect that chapter to keep happening…”
Across all of her releases, clear threads of humility, confidence, and thoughtful reflection run through Anna’s songs. For Anna, her perspective is deeply rooted in her faith, as she credits God as a guiding force behind both her life and her music.
“My faith grounds me because I know God has blessed me with everything I have, all my talents and opportunities. With my life and my career, it’s out of gratitude that I do everything the best I can.”
Avery also offered some powerful advice she once received from her grandmother, which eventually inspired her song “the rest.” Recalling a conversation she had while interviewing her grandparents about their lives, Anna shared:
“I interviewed my grandma and my grandpa, who has dementia, because I wanted to hear about his life while I still could. I remember my grandma told me, ‘If you think you’re in control or have a plan for your life, it’s never really your plan. Keep a good heart and a prayer in your chest, and the Lord will do the rest.’ That’s probably the best advice I ever received, and I wrote a song about it. Although it’s not my biggest song, it’s one I keep really close to my heart because it keeps me grounded and reminds me of what’s important.”
For Avery, telling meaningful stories is always at the forefront of her mind. However, shifting from the perspectives of others, and without losing the vulnerable integrity of her writing, her own experiences are used to shape her new EP. Getting more personal forgive, forget signals another step forward in Avery Anna’s evolution. With a continued willingness to embrace the lyrics that are the hardest to write, the EP maintains her reputation for emotional connection while expanding her sonic horizons, introducing a sound that carries her authenticity into exciting new directions. In a genre built on storytelling, Avery continues to prove that the most powerful songs come from an honest pen.
