Kelsea Ballerini drops her latest EP, “Rolling Up the Welcome Mat”

Track 3, “Penthouse,” is a song of raw emotion and feeling. Through the lyrics, Ballerini shows that celebrities are private people too; they don’t show what happens in their life 24/7. In photographs, Evans and Ballerini looked happy but in the song, she explains she paid for everything, slept on the couch and gave it all up in the divorce and realizes she is better off alone. 

As the EP continues, Ballerini opens up and tells a more personal story. The connection of loss, love and acceptance is what makes this EP so relatable. “Interlude” shows the mental journey after a big event whereas “Blindsided” questions the fact that one person will always play the “victim” in a situation. Finally, she ends with “Leave Me Again,” a song where she vows to never lose herself again in a relationship. Ending the EP with this song was also a way to show that she doesn’t have any ill-will towards him and she hopes he gets the life he deserves – without her.

Ballerini also dropped a 20-minute short film with the same name. Co-written and co-directed with Ballerini’s frequent collaborator, Patrick Tracy, the entire thing is a work of art.  The viewer feels like they’re still in the midst of Ballerini figuring out how she feels in real-time. But she finally ends with showing her fans that it’s okay to rebuild and that healing is possible after a life changing event, like divorce. 

While this EP was really to help Ballerini move on, fans have taken to TikTok to show support and won’t allow her to forget about this music or event. On tour Ballerini is now playing these songs and continuing to share her story and allowing others to relate with her emotions. Truth, honesty, storytelling and emotion are what fans are connecting with and that’s what country music is all about. Ballerini was honest with her feelings and her story and that’s why Rolling Up the Welcome Mat is a masterpiece.