Taylor Acorn’s debut album, Survival In Motion, is a testament to inner strength. Brought up by early ’90s and 2000s pop punk, the Nashville-based singer is making her own mark on the genre that raised her through bold vulnerability, a strong sense of self, and wide-eyed ambition. Undoubtedly indebted to Avril Lavigne and Amy Lee, Acorn’s soaring voice on the title track launches the LP on an impressive note. “It feels very big and a nice punch to your face,” Acorn tells us. “It just really encapsulates everything that this album talks about, so I thought it would be a perfect way to kick off the album.” The rest of the LP ripples outward. Whether it’s through the blazing optimism of “Greener” (which Acorn describes as a “breath of fresh air”), the loud love of “People Watching,” or the poignant closer “Birds Still Sing,” she’s created a thoughtful mix that wears heart-on-sleeve confessionalism while breeding mutual understanding and relatability — a winning mix that revels in the ability to get emotional without being maudlin.

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As she begins her run with Dashboard Confessional and Boys Like Girls this month, Acorn guided us through every song on Survival In Motion.