Natalie Hemby first gained notice as a hit songwriter for Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, and Toby Keith, penning the hits "White Liar," "Only Prettier," and "Automatic" (all recorded by Lambert), "Pontoon" and "Tornado" (two hits by Little Big Town), and "Drinks After Work" (Keith). After establishing this résumé, Hemby struck out as a recording artist, releasing her debut, Puxico, early in 2017. Her mainstream breakthrough as a performer arrived when she joined forces with Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires as the Highwomen, a supergroup whose eponymous debut topped Billboard's Country Albums chart in 2019. The Highwomen paved the way for Hemby's second solo album, 2021's Pins and Needles.