Howl: Katelyn Lehner’s Dancefloor-Ready Anthem Packs Style, Swagger, and Staying Power
- Scott Roos
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
by Scott Roos
Our Grade: A (Song) and A+ (Video)
Katelyn Lehner’s latest single, “Howl,” (released this past July) arrives as a sultry, genre-bending pop-country-rock stomper that feels tailor-made for late nights, dance floors, and radio rotation. Clocking in at a tight 2 minutes and 48 seconds, it’s a punchy, high-energy track that doesn’t overstay its welcome — just enough time to grab a partner and two-step before it fades out, leaving you wishing it went on a little longer.
One of the clearest signs of Lehner’s growth as an artist is in the evolution of her sound. The production feels bigger, more confident, and more polished than ever. Her naturally reed-like voice, which has always given her a distinct tonal character, and, honestly has been a bit of an acquired taste in the past, lately has been supported by thicker, layered vocal production that adds warmth and depth. Producer Simon Jasieniuk deserves real credit here. The vocal stacking makes her delivery more robust and radio-ready, while at the same time making that timbre a titch more palatable. It’s a subtle but effective upgrade that helps the song land with more impact.
“Howl” itself is undeniably catchy, playful, and built for movement. It captures that rush of freedom and release - the kind of song that feels right at home blasting through car speakers on a summer night or filling a packed dance floor. It’s easy to imagine it sliding comfortably into playlists alongside artists like Chandler Marie, Byrdie Wilson, Leslie Johnson, Baylee Lynn, and Jade Gibson (I have no idea who these people are. Forgive my ignorance... but they are the folks whose songs came up in my algorithm right after "Howl" blasted through my headphones).
And that’s where a small but fair critique comes in. From a strictly sonic perspective, “Howl” fits very neatly into what’s already working in contemporary pop-country. It’s fun, polished, and highly radio-friendly, but it doesn’t necessarily break new ground or separate itself dramatically from the pack. That said, not every song needs to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes delivering a strong, accessible track that people genuinely enjoy is the goal and ,in that sense, Lehner absolutely succeeds.
Where she truly distinguishes herself, however, is in the visual side of the release. The recently released music video is, simply put, pretty spectacular. Shot at Toronto’s iconic RocknHorse venue, it showcases a level of performance, confidence, and athleticism that elevates the entire project. With choreography by George Absi and the support of dancers Mahogany Brown and Lindsay Aquin - both former Toronto Raptors Dancers - the video leans fully into movement and stage presence. Lehner doesn’t just sing the song; she embodies it.
She can dance, and she commands the screen with a confidence that feels natural and earned. The video is slick, energetic, and unapologetically sexy. It captures the feeling of letting loose and living in the moment, which perfectly mirrors the message of the song. The spontaneous rain-soaked finale, born from an unexpected storm during filming, ends up being one of its most memorable visual moments and adds a sense of raw authenticity.
After watching it, it’s hard not to wonder if it might spark a new line dance. “The Howl” doesn’t feel like a stretch. You can already picture it catching on at spots like The Longbranch or Outlaws. Hint Hint let's make this happen!
With strong momentum behind her and a growing list of achievements, Lehner feels poised for a major year. “Howl” may not drastically redefine the sound of the genre, but it proves she knows exactly how to deliver a polished, energetic, and visually compelling release — and sometimes, that’s exactly what listeners want.
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