One reason Taylor Swift has enjoyed such extraordinary success is that she writes and sings honestly from a teenage perspective instead of (as many previous under-18 talents have done) skipping ahead to subject matter more suited to adults.

Talented newcomer Katie Armiger, 17, also writes much of her own material but too often sounds like she’s purposely avoiding addressing teenage concerns.

There is nonetheless plenty of promise on Believe—particularly on the lacerating “Bleed,” written by Katie alone and produced by 2008 Nashville Star finalist Ashlee Hewitt.