ANNE WILSON - Stand- Sparrow Records/Capitol CMG

Platinum-certified, Grammy-nominated, contemporary Christian country music singer-songwriter Anne Wilson is enjoying a career-altering year in 2024.  And as the aforementioned description entails, the Kentucky-native can do it all, and she continues to make her mark on the modern country music scene with her latest release.  “Stand” is available now, both digitally and on all streaming platforms, via Capitol Christian Music Group.

Written by Wilson along with Matthew West, Jeff Pardo, and Jonathan Smith, “Stand” is an emotionally-uplifting track about staying true to who you are in the face of adversity and being unapologetically YOU.  It’s a subject and sentiment that has remained close to Anne’s heart and mind, and is applicable to the individual listener as well as to the world as a whole.

“These days, our world feels so divided.  It can make us feel afraid to speak up about things that matter to us,” Wilson said.  “’Stand’ is a song that came out of feeling all those feelings.  I want to stand up for love in a world filled with hate, stand for peace where there’s division, stand for my faith in God and stand for the freedom we get to enjoy this great country.  I want to stand proudly like a cross on a hill that stood for me and I hope you do too!”

The steady, rhythmic intro builds momentum as the first verse progresses, attributed by Wilson’s vocal confidence that builds through the bridge and erupts into the first chorus.  Her vocal range, power, and control is perfectly apposite for the vibe of the song, which serves as an inspiring anthem that dares us all to be different and to believe in who we are, regardless of the consequences.

The lyrics are down-to-earth, relatable, and transparently germane, speaking directly to the listener as an outlying of support and encouragement.  From start to finish, this song screams for individuality, independence, and eccentricity, with the vocal delivery and momentum of the musical progression’s climax giving us goosebumps.

“Stand, stand your ground

Say, ‘I won’t back down’

Even when the whole world’s against me

I’m stranding strong ‘cause I know who’s with me

Brave in the face of fear

Let ‘em know you’re here

Yeah, we all got a choice in life

You can run, you can hide, you can fall for the lies or

Stand”

Wilson kicked off her 28-date The Rebel Tour on September 12^th in Tulsa, OK.  The trek will hit markets coast to coast through mid-November in Salem, OR.  Released on April 19^th of this year, ‘Rebel’ is Anne’s second studio effort, featuring the radio hit “Songs About Whiskey” along with 15 other tracks.  The Kentucky native co-wrote all of the record’s tunes, collaborating with of Music Row’s biggest names, including Lainey Wilson, Jaren Johnston, Emily Weisband, and Trannie Anderson.

(Review Written By: Chad Carlson)