In a time when viral moments and quick-hit singles seem to dominate the music industry, Caylee Hammack just did something you don’t see every day, she made art. Her sophomore album, Bed of Roses, isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a fully realized body of work that captures the weight of heartbreak, the gained wisdom of her 20s, and the kind of songwriting that makes you stop in your tracks.
It’s been five years since Caylee’s debut, If It Wasn’t for You, introduced her as one of the most dynamic voices in country music. But Bed of Roses? This one hits different. It’s more mature, more raw, and more her than anything she’s done before. There’s no chasing trends here—just real stories, lived-in emotions, and a sound that feels as natural as the roads and bars and people that raised her.
Let’s be real—true albums are getting harder to come by. In an era of singles-first strategies and TikTok-driven smashes, isn’t it refreshing to hear a record that feels cohesive, intentional, and deeply personal? Hammack approached this album with the care of a storyteller crafting a novel (which, ironically, she also did—more on that later).
Lyrically, Bed of Roses is her strongest work yet. The album plays out like a coming-of-age film, detailing not just the ups and downs of love but also the self-discovery that comes with growing up. The title track, co-written with Jeff Hyde and Benjy Davis, sets the tone with its poetic, gut-punch lyricism. It’s a song about realizing that even the painful parts of life, maybe especially the painful parts, help shape who you become.
Songs like “No I Ain’t” serve as a breakup mantra, reinforcing the idea that the words we tell ourselves matter. Meanwhile, “Tumbleweed Men” digs into the reality of loving someone who was never meant to stay. And then there’s “Cleopatra”, a wildly creative take on history and heartbreak that proves Hammack is playing a different game than most songwriters in town. But for me the standout track is “Breaking Dishes” the opening production catches you sonically and the song’s storyline is so strong I can clearly virtualize the scene in my head, for my that’s the mark of a fantastic song.
Each track is packed with real emotion, real stories, and real craft, something Hammack leaned into fully this time around. And when you look at the team behind the record, it makes sense.
It’s one thing to write a great song. It’s another thing to produce it in a way that makes it hit you in the chest. Hammack brought in two of the best for this one: John Osborne (of Brothers Osborne) and Dan Huff, both legends in their own right. Both masters of their crafts, and you can hear the difference in the way this record feels.
Instead of overproduced, radio-chasing gloss, Bed of Roses leans into organic textures, rich instrumentation, and moments that breathe. The Celtic influences on The Hill, the funky swagger of Bread & Butter, and the almost cinematic build of How Long show just how much thought went into every sound and sonic choice.
Hammack herself was deeply involved in the production process, even recording some vocals in her own home and taking an active role in shaping the sound. You can feel her fingerprints on every track, which in my opinion is what makes it so good.
If Bed of Roses wasn’t already a full enough experience, Hammack took it a step further by co-authoring a romance novel inspired by the album. Written alongside New York Times bestseller Carolyn Brown, the book expands on the themes in the record, giving listeners another way to dive into her storytelling using the tracklist as chapters in reverse order.
It’s a wild concept, but it fits so perfectly with the way Hammack approaches her art. Every detail matters. Every story connects. The whole thing feels like a labor of love, and that’s exactly why it stands out.
At a time when the music industry is moving at breakneck speed, Bed of Roses is a reminder that some things should take time. Some albums should be crafted, not just assembled. Some stories should be told in full, not just in bite-sized pieces.
This record isn’t just an album—it’s a statement. It’s a reminder that songwriting still matters. That production choices can elevate a song to something bigger than itself. That music can still be art.
Caylee Hammack isn’t just another country artist. She’s a storyteller, a visionary, and a damn good songwriter. And with Bed of Roses, she just raised the bar.
Go listen. And then listen again. Because albums like this don’t come around every day.