Miranda Lambert Returns With New Double Single

I'm open to debating that Miranda Lambert is one of the most important artists of the 2010s decade. Why? Because I'll win. Her last album, the immaculate Weight of These Wings was at one ferocious and tear-jerking. The heavy album housed the pretty much perfect "Tin Man" which I named the best song of 2017 here. Now she's back with two brand new solo songs.

The main single of this new two-pack is "It All Comes Out in the Wash." At first glance, the title suggests a ballad which would make sense given Lambert's recent separation and divorce from Blake Shelton and new marriage to her NYPD beau. In actuality, "All Comes Out" is a rollicking rock-influenced jam about how life moves on and will eventually get better. The song has the typical Miranda Lambert guitar riffs; and lyrically, the song is lighter and more playful than any of her recent music. It is a return to to the humorous wordplay that trademarked some of her earlier work. In short, it's a winner.

The B-side, "Locomotive," is filled with energy. Electric guitar and heavy drums add an enjoyable punk rock flavor to the roaring song. Miranda sings about how powerful her new love makes her feel ("Got a heart like a truck, I'm a hummingbird, ready to sing") and there's even a sly reference to her last album ("Mmm, he gives me wings, oh he gives me wings"). Another winner!

Scores: "It All Comes Out in the Wash" (82); "Locomotive" (73)