Danielle Bradbery (Deluxe Edition)

Seventeen-year-old Danielle Bradbery makes the leap into Nashville’s big leagues with impressive confidence, inviting comparisons with the likes of Carrie Underwood and Sara Evans. The Texas-born singer benefits from strong material by such notable tunesmiths as Aimee Mayo, Dave Barnes, and Sarah Buxton, as well as from well-tailored production by Dan Huff and Brett James. The accent here is on young love and big dreams, with Bradbery taking on the roles of both teenaged romantic and wise older sister. A spirit of self-empowered optimism courses through “The Heart of Dixie,” “Daughter of a Workin’ Man,” and “My Day.” “Young in America” recalls the highway anthems of Jo Dee Messina, while the mixed emotions of “Wild Boy” strike a Taylor Swift–like note. Bradbery shows off her powerhouse pipes throughout, whether she’s backed by soaring strings (“I Will Never Forget You”) or folksy acoustic instrumentation (“Dance Hall”). (The album’s deluxe edition adds four impressive cover tunes, including a knockout version of Pam Tillis’ hit “Maybe It Was Memphis.”)