Nashville musician Lilly Hiatt has premiered her introspective fourth album, Walking Proof, ahead of its March 27 release via New West Records. The 11-track record blends country, rock, and blues, reflecting her personal growth and optimism amid recent challenges. Recorded in East Nashville, it features a guest appearance by her father, John Hiatt.
Lilly Hiatt, an East Nashville-based singer-songwriter, introduces her latest work, Walking Proof, to Paste readers exclusively before its official release on March 27 through New West Records. This fourth album marks a shift from her previous effort, Trinity Lane, which captured a period of personal turmoil. Now, Hiatt draws inspiration from self-reflection and finding her footing in life, infusing the music with an optimistic tone despite surrounding uncertainties.
In a recent interview with Paste, Hiatt shared, “The last two years of my life have been really good.” She described gaining greater control over her artistry, transforming past trauma into creative output, and focusing inward rather than on external chaos. “It was much easier to cut to the chase,” she added.
The album was produced by Lincoln Parish, a member of Cage the Elephant, in his East Nashville studio. Hiatt arrived with 25 songs, which Parish helped refine into a concise 11-track selection. “I felt like I had a comrade,” Hiatt said of the collaboration. “Lincoln maintained an element of refinement while still keeping the rugged nature of the album.”
A highlight is the duet with her father, the acclaimed musician John Hiatt, on the track “Some Kind Of Drug.” The pairing emerged spontaneously: “I remember being in the studio, saying ‘I really feel like I need a male voice on this song,’” Hiatt recalled. “And then I thought about my dad, and just realized: ‘He’s the right guy for the job!’”
Hiatt resists strict genre labels, embracing a folk-driven Americana sound. “Genre feels constricting, but Americana doesn’t feel uncomfortable,” she noted. She views rigid definitions as barriers to creativity: “Rules defeat the practice of making art. It’s an exciting time for the avant-garde.”
The release comes as Nashville recovers from a devastating tornado earlier this month that killed more than 20 people and damaged concert venues and businesses. “Nashville is in shock right now,” Hiatt said. “I think everybody’s done everything they can. As always, we move forward. I’m always impressed by this city.” Amid the COVID-19 pandemic's toll on the music industry, including canceled tours and layoffs, Hiatt hopes Walking Proof provides a brief escape of positivity.
Listeners can stream the album via an embedded YouTube playlist on Paste and pre-order it for the upcoming Friday release.