Meghan Patrick…..well…. is a badass, plain and simple. Her new album Golden Child, dropping October 11th, is my first real dive into the Canadian country star’s world, even though she’s been out there grinding for over a decade. Now, full disclosure—when someone sends me a modern country record, my knee-jerk reaction is usually skeptiscism. I’ve heard it all. The same cookie-cutter sound, the same paint-by-numbers lyrics, and I end up zoning out like it’s just another shift waiting on the time clock. But Meghan Patrick? She’s out for blood.
I barely got through the first minutes of a brief listen to Golden Child before I knew exactly why she’s racked up all those accolades—especially the damn near constant CCMA wins and nominations (particularly for songwriting). Patrick even brought home CCMA Album of the Year for Grace and Grit back in 2016.
Lyrically speaking, Meghan Patrick is the real deal. Her latest effort is nothing short of proof.
Golden Child is a hefty 18-track beast, packed with a ton to sit through and even more to chew on. When I started thinking about how to break this album down, I kept coming back to one thing: this album doesn’t need me to dissect it. Every track on this record is masterfully written. Meghan Patrick’s authenticity pours out onto the page and bleeds through the music, crystal clear. What makes Golden Child special is hands down the writing.
Sure, the instrumentals don’t exactly push the boundaries of country music. It sounds like country—well-produced, well-arranged, and easy to listen to. It’s ear candy, no doubt. But where this album really hits its stride is in the storytelling. Most of these songs feel incredibly personal, like she’s handing over her own life story, piece by piece. And her writing? It’s clever and nuanced, like she’s running a masterclass in creative writing.
Patrick’s got a sharp edge when it comes to double entendres, twists of phrase, and wordplay that hit just right. Case in point: “Cause everything that glitters ain’t golden, child.” It’s lines like that, woven all through the album, that make the entire album a standout.
Personal Favorites
I usually present the Standout Tracks in this section, focusing on lyrical depth and impact. But, to avoid beating a dead horse, let me just say it again—every song on this album is so damn well-written that I could easily list something brilliant about each one. So, instead of sounding like a smitten fanboy, (which it already reads that way) I’ll just go ahead and drop a few of my personal favorites.
Let’s get straight to it—Golden Child comes out of the gate with the emo guns blazing. The first track, Blood From a Stone, instantly pulled me in with its raw honesty and killer songwriting. It’s the kind of opener that demands your attention. She doesn’t waste time sugarcoating anything, diving into the deeply personal messiness of cutting ties with her own mother, who was both the source of her pain and the person who introduced her to the life she’s now thriving in. It’s relatable, real, and damn powerful. Blood From a Stone is perfect choice for a opener, I was floored and captivated, but it left me intrigued to where we were headed. Patrick references herself as the “Golden Child” within the track, almost as foreshadowing for the remainder of the album.
The title track, Golden Child, perfectly embodies the overarching theme of the project. It’s a catchy coming-of-age letter to one’s younger self, offering advice on the dos and don’ts of the journey ahead.
The same thing that takes the edge off
It can take the shine off after a while
So wear your diamonds on the inside
Cause everything that glitters ain’t golden, child
The Boy Who Cried Drunk is a perfect example of sharp wit combined with clever wordplay. Patrick captures experiences that most of us—especially the more ruffian types—can relate to. Unfortunately, I’ve been on the “crying drunk” side of things more often than I’d like to admit. But hey, we all grow up eventually, right? Or maybe not. That might just be the real takeaway from this song.
Other Side of 25 strikes a chord once again. Maybe I’m just a sucker for those rebellious redemption songs—the anthems for the reformed outlaws who somehow made it through. But the track delivers more than relatability, it’s ridiculously catchy. The lyrical flow is bouncy and infectious, like a riptide of rhythm as Patrick recounts getting her life in order on the backside of 25.
Iron Man is easily my favorite song on the album. Honestly, I teared up the first time I heard it. It made me reflect on my relationship with my own father, and then on my daughter and how we connect. I can only hope that one day she views me through the same lens I do him. The lyrics are both witty and deeply moving, especially with the clever double meanings around “Iron Man”—the ironworker and the superhero. Iron Man is music at its purest, raw transferable emotion.
Final Thoughts
Meghan Patrick’s Golden Child truly sets a new standard for contemporary country music. Her profound ability to forge a deep connection with her audience is a quality that the mainstream Top 40 often lacks. Patrick’s storytelling is infused with an authenticity that is impossible to doubt, drawing listeners into her narrative. You find yourself empathizing with her experiences, as the boundaries between her music and your own life begin to dissolve.
Golden Child is a remarkable triumph, offering a refreshing blend of modern flair and substantial depth—something that is all too rare in today’s country music landscape. It is safe to say that Meghan Patrick dominates the songwriting realm in an era filled with recycled lyrics.
Bold, unapologetic, and genuine, Golden Child stands out as one of the best country albums of the year.
Album Release: Oct 11, 2011
Favorite Tracks: Other Side of 25, Iron Man
RootsnRevelry Grade:
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