Metal intersects with country: Karley Scott Collins’ debut album ‘Flight Risk’ is a diverse work of art, showcasing a woman who is deeply familiar with herself and her craft. The singer-songwriter navigates themes of heartbreak, anger, desire, joy, fear, and vulnerability – all while donning cowboy boots and exuding an undeniable confidence.
Stream: “Girlfriend” – Karley Scott Collins
Karley Scott Collins is gaining popularity.
A year ago, she had just released her second EP, was preparing for her Grand Ole Opry debut, and was still expanding her fanbase while passionately writing music with her producer.
Today, everything has shifted – a fact that became clear during our conversation earlier this month. On Friday, September 26, Collins’ debut album Flight Risk is set to be released through Sony Music Nashville – a release that will solidify her position as one of Nashville’s most promising new talents.
Flight Risk – Karley Scott Collins
Wasn’t a flight risk
‘Til you opened all the windows,
kinda liked it
I was so cautious
I was good at being good ‘til I lost it
Wasn’t a chaser
Driving too fast, I was safer
You made a madman out of me
Didn’t know reckless was
something I could be
Somewhere between love and insanity
Oh, you made a madman
A madman out of me
– “Madman,” Karley Scott Collins
Collins, born in Florida, grew up listening to Alice In Chains, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses. As she matured, she explored her mother’s record collection, which included Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan. Her grandmother, an avid country music enthusiast, introduced Collins to George Jones and Willie Nelson. This diverse musical upbringing informed her songwriting, which emphasizes narrative depth in line with country music tradition. Her distinctively low, rough, and passionate vocals blend influences from LeAnn Rimes and Bonnie Tyler, while still honoring her first love, heavy metal, with prominent drums in her music.
In 2023, she released her debut EP Hands on the Wheel, featuring the single “Heavenly.” Following that, in 2024, Collins dropped her second EP, Write One, featuring contributions from Charles Kelley and country giant Keith Urban, whom she is currently touring with on his High & Alive Tour.
Karley Scott Collins Discusses Her Heavy Metal Influenced EP, ‘Write One’:: INTERVIEW ::
A multi-instrumentalist, Collins eagerly explores her musical boundaries, learning to play banjo, bass, and violin for this album, which opened up new possibilities for both herself and her music.
“It was a bit more free and creative because I didn’t really know what I was doing, so I just started experimenting,” she explains to Atwood Magazine. “Actually, on ‘Girlfriend,’ I picked up the banjo for the first time and just started playing some notes, and the riff I created is on the record.”
Collins co-produced Flight Risk with her longtime collaborator and friend, Grammy Award-winning producer Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Mickey Guyton, Laci Kaye Booth, Keith Urban). She and Chapman performed all the instruments on the album, except for the drums. Collins holds Chapman in high regard and describes their recording sessions as reminiscent of two kids at summer camp.
“The process of recording with Nathan is my favorite thing to do,” she beams. “Honestly, the best part of my career is being in the studio, alongside playing live. I truly enjoy it. Nathan and I create a summer camp vibe in the studio where it’s just the two of us without a set timeline for finishing songs. We take time to explore, have fun, and try new things. If I wanted to learn to play bass on something, we did it because I wanted to be creative and enjoy the process.”
Karley Scott Collins ‘Flight Risk’ © Matthew Berinato
“Denim” opens Flight Risk, containing all the elements of a perfect first track: expansive soundscapes, powerful guitars, sharp lyrics, and a Spanish guitar riff reminiscent of “Hotel California.” It feels like a song crafted for an established rock artist, not a debut for a relatively new talent. Its writing, arrangement, and production are exceptional. “Denim” begins with a guitar riff composed solely by Collins, evoking a vast landscape of open roads, inviting listeners into the unknown with the wind in their hair and an arm resting casually on the car window.
So cool you’re a hypocrite,
a lyricist, a heartache walking
Too bad you’re a narcissistic
pistol with that shit you talking
Little darling so charming
Yeah, I never shoulda
tried you on, like damn
Did it make you feel like a man
Wish I
When metal intertwines with country, Karley Scott Collins’ debut album ‘Flight Risk’ emerges as an eclectic masterpiece, showcasing a woman who is deeply aware of herself and her art. The singer/songwriter navigates themes such as heartbreak, anger, desire, joy, fear, and the more vulnerable aspects of humanity, all while confidently sporting her cowboy boots and an undeniable swagger.
