Milwaukee’s own Claire Kelly has returned with a deeply personal new album, and the title alone demands attention: Be Careful Who You Kiss in Nashville.

The 10-track album, which dropped on August 21st, finds the Marquette University alum drawing from her time spent in Music City while maintaining the folk-pop sensibilities that have endeared her to Wisconsin audiences for over a decade. The title track serves as both a cautionary tale and a sonic homecoming, balancing mid-tempo grooves with Kelly’s characteristic acoustic warmth and lyrical wit.

There’s an undeniable danceable quality to the track that belies its warning-label title. The production walks a fine line between radio-ready polish and stripped-down honesty—a balance Kelly has been perfecting since her Farwell Avenue EP days. The energy here is restrained but purposeful, with just enough lift to get you swaying without ever tipping into saccharine territory.

For those who’ve followed Kelly’s journey from Milwaukee coffee shop stages to Mile of Music festival sets and beyond, this album feels like the culmination of years spent honing her craft both at home and on the road. Her Nashville stint clearly left its mark—not just in the album’s title, but in the confident, lived-in quality of the songwriting.

Be Careful Who You Kiss in Nashville is available now on all streaming platforms. Give the title track a spin below and judge for yourself whether Kelly’s advice is worth heeding.