By Lina Bhambhani

Starting her career in music at the age of 16, American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina, now 22, has evolved greatly over the last few years. Alaina released her first album, Wildflower, back in 2011 as a sophomore in college, and she recently released her second album, The Road Less Traveled, via Interscope/Mercury Nashville. The new 12-song collection expresses family issues, dependence, and much more.

Some of the topics on The Road Less Traveled center around Alaina’s family, as well as her own personal issues. In 2013, her parents got divorced, with her father landing in rehab. As a result of the family fallout, Alaina struggled with an eating disorder and problems with her vocal chords. Eventually she had surgery and was able to sing again, an ordeal that taught her to not take her voice for granted. This experience inspired Alaina to write the new album.

While Wildflower shares the story of Alaina’s growth as a teenager in the industry,  The Road Less Traveled represents the woman she is today.

Check out “Song Name,” a track from Lauren Alaina’s new album below.

To find out more visit www.laurenalainaofficial.com.