Chris Alden turns a hometown departure into a personal story on “South”

Chris Alden’s “South” draws on his personal experience of leaving a small town for Nashville, grounding the song in change, uncertainty, and self-discovery. Leaving familiar surroundings can be exciting, but it can also hurt because you leave parts of yourself behind, and that contrast gives the track a relatable starting point. "South" captures the feelings that come with taking a big step into unfamiliar territory.