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Nolan Taylor's intimate tales of heartache, family, good times, and small-town struggle helped catapult the country singer/songwriter to the national stage in the early 2020s. The Ohio native's sparse, autobiographical single "68" elicited millions of streams and caught the attention of Atlantic Records, which issued the arresting "Wicked Ways" in 2023. Taylor started 2024 with the engaging "Cincinnati Heart," a heartfelt look at the ups and downs of long-distance relationships. At the start of 2025, he made his full-length debut with the eponymous Nolan Taylor.

Hailing from the small, working-class town of Blanchester, Taylor spent his formative years with his father and older brother -- his estranged mother battled mental health issues and addiction. Music was a balm for Taylor, and he soaked up the regional, rural sounds of bluegrass and country along with more rock-oriented groups like the Grateful Dead, Pinegrove, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. He picked up his first guitar, a left-hander, in high school and started to parse his own triumphs and troubles through song. Taylor began to pick up gigs wherever he could, mainly around West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky, honing his expressive playing and deeply felt lyrics. The success of fellow salt-of-the-earth singer/songwriter Oliver Anthony inspired Taylor to release a rustic video of himself performing his original composition "68" in the woods, which went viral. Shortly after, he inked a deal with Atlantic and released his debut single for the label, "Wicked Ways," and the EP Life & Love. The lush and reflective "Cincinnati Heart" appeared in early 2024 and was followed throughout the year by numerous tracks ranging from acoustic renditions and cover songs to follow-up singles like "Love Until We Die" and "I Belong in Your Arms." These songs, along with his earlier singles, appeared on Taylor's self-titled debut album, released in January 2025. ~ James Christopher Monger