Hannah Ellis is the Next "It Girl" of Country Music with Debut Release 'That Girl'

Written by Lacey Pattie

Country singer-songwriter Hannah Ellis recently dropped her much anticipated That Girl. The Campbellsville, Kentucky native co-wrote each of the thirteen tracks for her full-length debut album, which follows her 2017 self-titled six track EP and a handful of singles. Her cover of duet “If The World was Ending” with husband Nick Wayne garnered over 12 million streams on Spotify. Ellis was also featured on the 2017 Teen Wolf official soundtrack with her song “You Were Never Gone.” 

Hannah Ellis’ story begins in 2015 when she appeared on season 8 of NBC’s The Voice. While her rendition of Martina McBride’s “This One’s for the Girls” did not earn her a spot on one of the judges’ teams, it did gain the attention of Nashville-based Curb Records. Hannah Ellis signed a publishing deal with Curb, followed shortly after by a recording contract. 

Prior to her debut release, the CMT Listen Up 2023 Artist to Watch penned several hits recorded by fellow country stars Carly Pearce, Danielle Bradbery, and Russell Dickerson. Ellis previously toured with Martina McBride, Carly Pearce, Jake Owen, and Billy Currington, among others. Named to Rolling Stone’s “Artist to Watch” list, Ellis made her Opry debut on September 28, 2021, and has since graced the famous stage on numerous occasions.

That Girl delivers a stunning vocal performance and an emotional lyrical journey by Hannah Ellis. Her silky smooth tone evokes a comforting yet exciting sense of familiarity, and her gift with the pen has listeners singing along to and hanging on every word. The album takes the listener on a musical journey through love, heartbreak, homesickness, and healing with an earnest, down-to-Earth small town feel coupled with punchy pop rhythms and explosive choruses. 

This album is the curated result of Ellis’ collaboration with several renowned country songwriters. “Still” was penned by Hannah Ellis alongside Jason Massey, co-writer of Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan,” and Jimmy Robbins, whose credits include Maren Morris’ “I Could Use a Love Song” and Kelsea Ballerini’s “Half of My Hometown.” The song describes in painstaking detail the difficulty in moving on from someone you have a history with who isn’t good for you but feels familiar no matter how much time has passed. Jason Massey also co-wrote the title track with Hannah Ellis and Hillary Lindsey, whose credits include Taylor Swift’s “Fearless,” Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.”  The track romanticizes the idea of being able to conceal your emotions, admitting that in reality, the narrator is an “open book” that wears her “heart on (her) sleeve.” 

“Somebody Else” was co-written by Ben West, the co-writer of P!nk’s “Try,” Hannah Ellis, and her husband, singer-songwriter Nick Wayne. The powerful, soulful vocal has an R&B pop influence and an earworm of a hook as it details the frustratingly painful dedication of being in a relationship with someone who might not look “perfect on paper” and may not always do the “right” thing but loving them despite it because no one else compares. “Karma on the Rocks,” an upbeat tune utilizing clever wordplay and sassy quips to compare karma to liquor, was co-written by Hannah Ellis, Emily Weisband, whose credits include Camila Cabello’s “Consequences” and Jordan Reynolds, best known for penning numerous hits for Dan + Shay including “Speechless.” 

Peaking at 52 and 55 on the Billboard Country Airplay Charts respectively, cleverly-worded, playful party song “Wine Country” and Southern feel-good anthem “Country Can” are the standouts of That Girl. Both tracks were accompanied by music videos, in addition to tracks “Too Much and Not Enough,” “Us,” and “Home and a Hometown.”

Fans of Carly Pearce, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, and Maren Morris will enjoy Hannah Ellis’ artfully crafted storytelling, honest, vulnerable lyrics, and warm, inviting vocals. Ellis will perform live at several upcoming music festivals including C2C in Berlin, Tortuga in Fort Lauderdale, Country Summer in Santa Rosa, and Goldensky in Sacramento.