Mickey Guyton (Capitol Nashville, 2015)

Mickey Guyton, a Dallas native, follows in the footsteps of female singers like Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride on this 4-song, 16-minute CD that's probably meant as more of an introduction for those who never heard her 2014 very much under the radar EP, "Unbreakable." That translates into a powerful set of vocal chords that dominate. Guyton brings a sense of authenticity to the opening "Why Baby Why." She doesn't need to go full-blown vocally all the time, but can quickly alter between quieter moments and turning it up a lot of notches.

Keeping in line with the modern country sounds, it strays far more towards pop than country. There's a bit of country instrumentation here and there (pedal steel underneath in "Why Baby Why" and banjo on "Better Than You Left Me"), but for the most part, Guyton opts for a big sounding delivery that's ready for the stage. "Somebody Else Will," with a bit of a funky underbelly, sounds like maybe something Kelly Clarkson would tackle although it comes off as generic.

Guyton keeps the fast-pace going on "Pretty Little Mustang," which goes big once it reaches the chorus. Guyton is catchy with her vocals, but the song only very tangentially resembles anything country.

Guyton closes with "Better Than You Left Me" with its introductory banjo setting the stage for Guyton's taking over the ballad where the break-up leaves her in a better place. With models like Underwood and McBride serving her well, Guyton is in good stead.