Kayla Woodson, Kayla Woodson (Independent)

She’s from Waggaman originally, but like so many before her, Kayla Woodson journeyed to Nashville in order to make it as a country star, simultaneously enrolling in Belmont College’s music business program like her idol, Trisha Yearwood, and also getting noticed by Lady Antebellum in the process. If you like Lady A or Trisha, this five-­song EP will probably be right up your alley, because there’s no Americana here: Kayla aims right for the CMA Awards podium by stitching together mid­-tempo pop, adult alternative, mainstream dad rock and a little R&B, basically threading the needle between Kelly Clarkson and Lee Ann Womack on half these numbers. The other three may as well be Taylor Swift outtakes, empowering anthems about relationships in various stages of decay: “Fan for the Flame” is the warning shot, “Before It’s Too Late” is the last ditch attempt, “Last” the sad (but determined) resignation. As befits someone who’s been planning this ascension her whole life, she vocally sticks the landing every time; she’s got that twang that the industry loves. But as to what sets her apart from, say, another contestant on The Voice, the answer is: nothing yet.