Singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress has unveiled her latest track, "Footprints," a poignant piano ballad originally penned for her younger siblings. The release follows a widely celebrated National Anthem performance that marked a turning point in her career, with fans and critics hailing it as "iconic."

"Footprints" is a deeply introspective song that blends raw confession with heartfelt storytelling, offering words of reassurance for those facing difficult times. "This song means so much to me that I didn’t think I’d ever put it out, and now it resonates with me even more than when I wrote it," Andress shares. The Colorado-born, Nashville-based artist reflects on her role as the eldest sibling, encouraging her younger brothers and sisters to chase their dreams and learn from her journey. "It doesn’t feel great to fail, but it can end up making you stronger," she adds.

The track marks Andress’s first release since her acclaimed 2022 album Good Person. Over the past year, she experienced a whirlwind of highs and lows, including a highly publicized National Anthem performance that led to a stint in rehab after she admitted to being drunk during the performance. That experience, she reveals, profoundly shifted her perspective on both her career and artistry.

Stepping back from the limelight allowed Andress to find a new level of boldness in her songwriting. "It felt like the Band-Aid had been ripped off, and I’d lost the fear of making my lyrics very specific to my experience," she explains. "Instead of trying to write songs that everyone can hear themselves in, I wanted to get back to being radically honest and really let my voice come through."

Her return to the stage was marked by a triumphant second performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, determined to redeem herself after her previous attempt. Drawing praise from Variety for "singing it again, and getting it right this time," TODAY commended her "beautiful rendition," while Taste of Country lauded her vocal prowess, noting, "She handles both the lowest and the highest notes in the notoriously difficult song with aplomb, and the audience is with her every step of the way."

A seasoned co-writer with credits including Charli XCX’s "Boys," Andress made a remarkable debut in 2020 with Lady Like, which became the highest-streaming debut album by a female country artist and earned three Grammy nominations, including Best Country Album.

"Footprints" offers a glimpse into Andress’s evolving artistry, with longtime collaborator Sam Ellis producing the track adorned with warm Dobro tones and heavy-hearted strings. As she gears up to release more introspective music, she hopes to inspire listeners to pause and reflect. "I hope my new music helps people slow down a bit and provides some time and space to remember where you started, who you are, and who you want to be moving forward," she says.

With "Footprints," Andress takes a bold step toward deeper self-expression, setting the stage for what promises to be her most personal and compelling work yet.

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.