Taylor Acorn Provides Bangers With Heart In ‘Survival In Motion’

Nashville’s own Taylor Acorn has dropped her debut album, titled ‘Survival In Motion’. This marks her first full release since last year’s ‘Certified Depressant’. The record dives into themes underlining mental health struggles, relationships, finding yourself, and everything that comes with those things. It gives an outlook of her life in such an honest, earnest, and genuine way that makes these songs stand out one by one. This record’s about to show you why she’s been able to make a name for herself in this scene thus far, and will continue to.

The record opens with one of the singles in the title track of the album. It immediately gives off the energy that sets the tone from here on out. It doesn’t overstay it’s welcome and it’s a good mission statement to what we get for ten tracks here. The instrumentals feel well delivered here, as we get a breakdown of sorts in the bridge which was a nice lil’ surprise. “Searching for serotonin, call it survival in motion” is such an insane line too like I was taken aback by how well put some of these lyrics are, and it won’t stop there. It’s followed up by one of my favorite tracks on the record, with “Applause”. It gives off pop punk vibes that feel right up my alley. The chorus is one of her best, but the second time it comes around with added lyrics truly goes hard here. The a cappella is such a nice touch too before the final chorus, it’s choice like that which impress me so early on. It’s just an incredibly solid track calling out your ex as she’s pouring out those feelings into this track. The banger streak continues with the first single from the record and one of the best tracks of the year, with “Greener”. This track dives lyrically into leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, and finding yourself on the other side of it. It’s such an emotionally resonant song that feels lyrically powerful, and it gives off such fun and summer-y vibes in its sound. That chorus is so huge and it continues to grow on me more and more as I hear it. The melodies are so on point here, and it’s like she has her finger on the pulse when it comes to how to do a catchy song.

We slow down a little with another single, in “People Watching”. I appreciate the buildup on a song like this, it feels so simple yet effective in its design. I appreciate how vulnerable she can be on a song like this, as she dives lyrically into going from being dismissive of love to finally finding that feeling to it’s full potential…and putting it into words. It’s a very cute song and it really makes it feel relatable I’m sure to many others, but in a genuine fashion. The nostalgia in its sound here really comes through and hits those spots nicely for me. Taylor sounds incredible as well on a song like this, and it shows off her range incredibly well. The energy and fun picks back up with another single, in “High Horse”. It’s wild how this track gives off such 2010’s MySpace era pop-punk vibes in the best way. The song feels so playful, yet direct in its lyrics as she calls out internet haters. Her delivery on this track comes through beautifully, and it’s why she stands out among the crowd doing these kind of songs. The claps in the background of the chorus really are another nice touch, and adds to the nostalgic element of this track. We open up the second side to the record with the final single from the album, with “Nervous System”. This one gives off big The Band Camino vibes for me, and it makes for an easy highlight off this. The chorus is huge, and I appreciate all the little details in sound that add to the likability of a track like this. I gotta give a shoutout to the production on this record, it’s so crisp and it works in favor of these songs and her vocals especially. I appreciate the earnest way on this track of delivering lyrics about falling in love once again, it’s incredibly solid. We turn up the hard rock element for this next track, with “Final Nail”. It gives off aggressive kind of energy, which helps these songs stand out from one another but also shows off all her influences throughout this record. The instrumentals here give off some Bayside energy, and her vocals shine with ease. I really appreciate how her personality has shined on all of these tracks, they don’t feel empty or hollow and they make them stand out in such a cool way.

We’re on the final stretch of the record, starting with “Be Like You”. This gives off vibes off her last release, but in a way that feels even more refined. The lyrics dive into the dreams of being a rockstar as a child, and the hard truths and things that come with it as it’s not as easy as it may have seemed. It feels fitting that this gives off such 2000’s pop rock energy, as her influences growing up can be heard here. It’s an example of a track that feels like the listener is on the outside looking into Taylor’s life, it’s so honest and vulnerable and what makes this album stand out. We reach the penultimate track with another catchy one, with “Homebody”. It dives back into those pop rock vibes, which her voice shines incredibly bright in. The tempo feels so smooth and additive to this track, to how the melodies and complimented so well by it. Something about this song makes me feel like driving during the sunset during summer, it’s such a warm feeling. It dives into the idea of being used to being alone and building a home in the meantime, with the desire of finding that someone to live with in it. The record ends on a beautiful note and on a standout track, with “Birds Still Sing”. The lyrics on this track feel the strongest they have on this whole record, it’s truly spectacular. It’s also nuts how locked in she sounds on a song like this, she’s very much in her bag on here. “If you look close where the cracks meet, we’re still blooming in concrete” is probably the best lyric on this whole album. The buildup here also feels so earned and feels so memorable too. The fact these songs all feel nostalgic, yet fresh and specific to her is impressive and wonderful.

The fact that Taylor Acorn can deliver surprises, heartfelt and honest lyrics, and fun melodies on her debut album is pretty crazy in 2024. ‘Survival In Motion’ is a testament to her presence in the scene only about to get stronger, and deservedly so. Any hype she’s gathered and will continue to has been well-earned and she’s one of this scene’s secret juggernauts ready to deliver on all cylinders with pure heat. Don’t sleep on this album because these songs deserve to be hits and she deserves the world to hear her in her fullest and most genuine form.