18-year-old rising country sensation Baylee Lynn is one to watch in 2026—particularly with the release of her stunning debut EP, Heart On My Sleeve.
Consisting of six stirring country-pop tracks, the EP truly has Baylee baring her musical soul with its sincere, heartfelt and authentic approach. It features her fan-favorite debut single, “Cautiously Optimistic” as well as “That’s What I’ll Be,” which made waves after being featured on the second season of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This—and it’s only the beginning of Baylee’s profound musical story. We had the pleasure of chatting with the up-and-coming star to learn all about her musical journey so far and precisely what Heart On My Sleeve means to her. Discover the full story in the interview below.
Sweety High: Heart on My Sleeve feels incredibly personal. Walk us through the songwriting process. Where do you go first?
Baylee Lynn: When it comes to songwriting, I try to write all my songs based off of a true feeling and my raw, vulnerable feelings. Each song on this EP was written at a different time in my life, whether I was heartbroken over a boy, or I was feeling myself, knowing my worth. Each song in particular was written at a different moment in my life.
SH: How did it feel for your song, “That’s What I’ll Be,” to get featured in Netflix’s hit show Nobody Wants This?
BL: Honestly, where I’m from—such a small town—it was kind of one of those moments, it felt so surreal. I was like, how is this happening to me? To this day, it feels that way. But truly, I felt really blessed to have that opportunity. I got to walk my first red carpet, got to go to LA for the first time, which are things that a girl dreams of. But it was just a blessing overall.
SH: You started writing songs at 13. How has your songwriting voice evolved from then to now?
BL: I feel like when I wrote my first song at 13, I hadn’t faced a lot of different emotions yet. Growing up and writing songs based on my emotions as they come my way, I feel like I’ve not only grown with learning how to write songs, but also learning that it’s okay to write about how I feel and learn that’s my safe place to spill all my emotions.
SH: Your music blends country influences with a little bit of modern pop. Who are some of your musical inspirations?
BL: Growing up, it was a lot of like older women country, like Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker, the Judds, to now—Lainey Wilson, Megan Maroney, Sabrina Carpenter. All those women have shaped me into the artist I am today.
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SH: What is a lyric on this EP that still hits you every time you sing it?
BL: It’s not on the EP, but “That’s What I’ll Be.” There’s not a specific lyric, but the whole song itself. It’s a very emotional and heartfelt song. That song is so special, and I love it just because it’s for anyone at any point in their life when they just need a reminder that they matter.
SH: You’re very intentional about your aesthetics. How do visuals play into how you tell stories as an artist?
BL: I have a great branding team. They’re so smart, and they have such a good head when it comes to thinking about colors and style. And I feel like they really helped me keep everything young because this album has a lot of feelings from when I was younger to now. So like, “Cautiously Optimistic” was shot in a high school, and it’s about your first love. “John, Dear” was at a high school party. And then you go to “Counting Tiles,” which is crying on the bathroom floor. I just feel like my team has helped really keep that young feel in everything that we’ve done.
(Heart on My Sleeve via UMG Recordings)
SH: Is there a favorite track on the EP that you’re always drawn to whenever you go back and listen to yourself?
BL: “Counting Tiles” is a really special song. That song is one that I’m really proud of because I took a lot of raw emotions and turned them into something that not only I can relate to, but other girls can as well.
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SH: Is there a track that you’re most excited to perform live one day?
BL: I’m excited about them all, but yes, “Counting Tiles” would have to be one of them.
SH: If you were to collaborate with any artist right now, country or not, who would it be and why?
BL: I would love to collaborate with Lainey Wilson. I feel like not only would it be just a fun duet collaboration, but also, I feel like she could really be a good mentor to me. I love her art, her talent, and just how she treats others. And again, I feel like she could just really be a good mentor.
SH: We touched on “That’s What I’ll Be” being in a Nobody Wants This and how special it was. Walk us through that track specifically. How did that come about? What was the process of developing that song, and how did it get in a Netflix show?
BL: When we wrote it, nobody came in with the idea [of it being in a Netflix show]. We were simply talking about it. We wrote it around the time of the fires in California, and we didn’t really have a specific idea, but we just came in thinking we needed to write a song that’s for everybody. It doesn’t matter what they’re going through, just a reminder that they’re gonna be okay and that that’s what I’ll be. And it kind of clicked. We wrote the song, and I sent it over to my team. They loved it. Simon Tikhman is married to Erin Foster, and she produced the Netflix show. He sent it over to her, and she and her team fell in love with it. It was just a big blessing, and it got put in the show, and I got to go do a lot of fun things from that song.
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SH: Now that your debut EP is out, what do you feel like this chapter represents for you as an artist?
BL: This chapter for me represents a lot of growth. It’s a bunch of emotions that I’ve had to face as we all do, but I’ve also had to learn to navigate them, and I’ve taken my feelings and turned them into something that other girls can relate to.
SH: Is there anything you can tease, now that the EP is out there?
BL: I just signed with CAA, so hopefully, soon, there will be some more tours… maybe.
SH: Is there anything else that you’d like to add or touch on today?
BL: I just really hope that when people listen to this EP, they find a place where they are understood, and to just know that their feelings matter and that I hear them, and I just hope that they can relate to this EP.
For even more on the artists who inspire us, click HERE to check out our interview with Steinza on tour.
