Through the first minute of this track, Sarah Brunner does the greatest job possible bringing to light a topic that seemingly no one’s talking about, but all in a way that’s beautifully artistic. “Miss Kentucky,” her newest single is being released during Pride Month (on 6/5) and the track arrives as both a deeply personal reflection and a broader statement about the ongoing importance of protecting marriage equality and transforming a specific political moment into something profoundly human.

Inspired by former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis’s 2025 petition to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, “Miss Kentucky” explores the lingering uncertainty many LGBTQ+ individuals continue to feel day after day after day. Yet what makes the song so effective is that it never feels like a political lecture. Instead, Brunner roots the conversation in lived experience.

A Michigan native now based in Seattle, Brunner has spent more than fifteen years honing her craft as a live performer, and that experience shines throughout the recording. She typically blends Americana, Folk, and Country influences, but this one’s taken on a world of its own we feel. It’s certainly got some Country Folk to it, but there’s a rock backbone in the instrumentation that gives the song such a necessary edge for the subject matter.

Sarah writes from the queer perspective with depth, transforming this complicated cultural conversation into something relatable. Even listeners who have never personally experienced the uncertainty surrounding marriage equality can feel the emotional stakes embedded within the song. Her words sincerely aren’t difficult to understand. In the latter half there’s even a soundbite from Anthony Kennedy that explains it all as clear as day.

Putting away the message for just a moment though, the production is pristine! Handled by Tim Graham at Bear Creek Studio, he complements the songwriting beautifully. Rather than overwhelming the core of the track, the arrangement remains purposeful. Acoustic textures provide a foundation while allowing her voice and lyrics to occupy the spotlight. There’s still some real subtlety going on in the mix though to really brighten it all up.

At its core, this is a song about love and the desire to protect it. It's about dignity, recognition, and the ongoing effort required to preserve those earned freedoms. This resonates far beyond any single court case or political moment. From the instrumentation, to the words, to the sound, and to everything else, we confidently think she’s knocked it out of the park.

As anticipation builds for Brunner's debut EP arriving in August 2026, “Miss Kentucky” is the second single and probably the most powerful. We loved “Something Else” and that deserves a listen as well. Go ahead and click those links below to enjoy it all, to follow along, and to stay tuned for plenty more.

Listen to “Miss Kentucky”

Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:

Sarah Brunner pens a lyrical masterclass on single, “Miss Kentucky”