Lauren-watkins-debut-ep

Lauren Watkins: ‘Introducing: Lauren Watkins’ – Debut EP Review

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Big Loud Records’ newest signee, Lauren Watkins releases her debut EP, Introducing: Lauren Watkins out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new project here.

Equal parts storyteller and songwriter, country newcomer Lauren Watkins is ready to introduce herself to country music. The Nashville native has just released her debut EP, a collection entitled Introducing: Lauren Watkins, featuring 7 new tracks she co-wrote.

For her Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters debut project, Watkins enlisted songwriters like Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Tofer Brown, and more, to bring her musical vision to life. Produced by heavy hitter Joey Moi, Introducing takes listeners through all of the things that make life unique, magical, and messy.

“Sleeping in My Makeup” may be your first taste of Watkins’ music, and what an introduction it is, her smoky voice punctuating classic country instrumentation as she deals with a breakup by drowning her sorrows at the bottom of a bottle. However, the lyrics here are exceptional, as she’s “too drunk to care ‘bout the smoke in my hair,” and “way too gone to take off my Luccheses.”

“There’s tequila on my breath // And a pounding in my head // I’m a dive bar shit show // Downward spiral lately // And I’m even more a mess when I wake up // He’s sleepin’ in her bed //  And I’m sleepin’ in my makeup”

Meanwhile, “Ole Miss,” “Grain of Salt” and “Shirley Temple” offer some of the EP’s most clever lyrics, as she finds herself dealing with her own heartbreak and jealousy as an ex is moving on. “’Shirley Temple’ is one of my favorite songs I’ve written,” Watkins shares. “It’s just a classic song about jealousy. You want someone you can’t have. As much as we don’t wanna admit it, I think most of us have been there.” 

Likewise, “Camel Blues,” “Dark Places” and “Anybody But You” have her doing things she shouldn’t with people she shouldn’t. “Camel Blues” is a surprisingly bittersweet ode to the nostalgia found in coping by lighting up a cigarette, while “Anybody But You” has her desperate to move on. “The only way to fall out of love is to hate you,” She sings here. “I’d do anything with anybody but you.”

“Ole Miss” is a 90’s-infused midtempo ballad that provides a moment of country greatness that finds her longing for her college days and the heartbreak that went along with an old love. “Four years and a few more beers ago, Two kids fallin’ in like they didn’t know,” She sings nostalgically.

“It’d end up in the rearview fadin’ slow // But dammit I’m still seein’ // Those powder blue eyes looking into mine // You breaking my heart at the twenty yard line // Said I was fine guess all this time ain’t healin’ // The same Ole Miss you feelin’”

While much of Introducing: Lauren Watkins finds Watkins dealing with heartbreak, this isn’t a sad album. Instead, it’s a celebration of clever lyrics and country instrumentation as she mixes unique phrasing with 90’s-inspired riffs, truly making her a standout female star on the rise.

Introducing: Lauren Watkins EP Tracklist:

  1. Sleeping In My Makeup (Lauren Watkins, Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate, Meg McRee)
  2. Camel Blues (Lauren Watkins, Jonathan Gamble, Lauren Hungate, Matt Morrisey)
  3. Anybody But You (Lauren Watkins, Rodney Clawson, Mark Holman, Ernest Keith Smith)
  4. Grain of Salt (Lauren Watkins, Andrew DeRoberts, Lauren Hungate)
  5. Shirley Temple (Lauren Watkins, Nicolle Galyon, Meg McRee)
  6. Ole Miss (Lauren Watkins, Adam James, Mikey Reaves)
  7. Dark Places (Lauren Watkins, Shane McAnally, Caroline Watkins)
Lauren-watkins-debut-ep

Lauren Watkins releases her debut EP, ‘Introducing: Lauren Watkins’ out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Lauren Watkins releases.

For tour dates and more, visit the singer-songwriter’s website here.

To keep up with Lauren Watkins, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Introducing: Lauren Watkins EP is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Morgan-evans-ep

Morgan Evans: ‘Life Upside Down’ – EP Review

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Morgan Evans releases new EP, Life Upside Down out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new project here.

In recent times, Warner Music Nashville’s Morgan Evans has found his life turned upside down. Following a very public divorce and consequent musical he-said-she-said, the Australian import is back with a new EP, reflecting this unique phase in his life.

The Life Upside Down EP is a five song collection that finds Evans in a state of flux, dealing with heartbreak, moving on, and so much more. “I called the EP Life Upside Down because this collection of music could only have come from this time, when my life felt exactly that,” He revealed. “To me, these five tracks journey through unexpected heartbreak, self-rediscovery, new beginnings and a new found gratitude for the present moment.”

There’s the much-discussed “Over for You,” both in studio and live forms, which finds the singer-songwriter wondering when a relationship ended for his former love. While the song has been the subject of much tabloid fodder, if you look past the gossip, it’s truly a heart-wrenching time capsule of love lost. “You used to tell me everything,” He sings, his voice heavy with emotion. “And that’s what hurts the most.”

Likewise “On My Own Again” has him dealing with the aftermath of divorce, looking at the logistics of moving on and flying solo, while realizing that his future suddenly looks brighter than the past. Here, he’s realizing that healing won’t be linear, but that the world is his proverbial oyster.

“If forever’s gonna end like that, I guess I’d better start // The rest of my life, like the best times, up around the bend // Oh-oh, on my own again (on my own again) // I could turn left to California, ride to New York city // Hell, I could go to Mexico right now, if I want to // And I know it might get lonely on my way out of here// But as long as the windshields bigger than the rear view mirror”

It’s not all heartbreak on Life Upside Down, however, with both “Hey Little Mama” and “All RIght Here” providing the perfect antidotes. Both are much needed doses of aural sunshine, with the former featuring a clap-along-worthy chorus and the latter full of clever lyrics. On “Mama,” we find Evans letting loose and channeling the Hank Williams’ classic “Hey Good Lookin’” paired with Keith Urban-esque guitar riffs. “This kinda heaven,” He sings over the sunny guitar riff. “Takes all the lemons, makes a little lemonade.”

Likewise, “All Right Here,” is another summer-ready Kenny-Chesney-meets-Old-Dominion toe tapper with cheeky lyrics and catchy instrumentation. Everyone in the world is going through something, but that’s what bonds us. “All night long, singing them country songs, In a world where a whole lot of things go wrong,” He sings. “They’re going all right here.”

While Morgan Evans may have been handed lemons as he found his Life Upside Down, the Warner Music Nashville singer-songwriter is certainly making musical lemonade. With a perfect mix of breakup ballads and sunny “it’s alright” anthems on his new EP, it’s obvious that the Aussie is sure to land on his very talented feet.

Life Upside Down EP Tracklist:

  1. Over for You
  2. On My Own Again
  3. Hey Little Mama
  4. All Right Here
  5. Over for You (Live in Melbourne)
Morgan-evens-ep

Morgan Evans new EP, ‘Life Upside Down’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Morgan Evans releases.

To keep up with Morgan Evans, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Life Upside Down EP is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

tenille-townes-ep

Tenille Townes: ‘Train Track Worktapes’ – EP Review

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Tenille Townes releases new EP, Train Track Worktapes out now, April 21st on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new project here.

Exactly one year after the release of her Masquerades EP, Tenille Townes returns with a new DIY-styled project conceptualized, written, and recorded on a charity train trip through her native country of Canada. An annual tradition, the CP Holiday Train benefits local food banks when their need is greatest, as each attendee brings donations to catch the free concert that occurs right on the train cars. During their 15 days onboard last December, Townes and her band played over 60 shows to crowds ranging from dozens to thousands in communities from Montreal to Calgary.

“The generosity of everyone bringing donations to their local food banks as we traveled along was a reminder to me of how much good there is in the world, especially in the heart of the smaller, remote communities,” Townes stated in a recent press release. “In between all these shows, I made it my mission to write about what it felt like to witness that, ride the high, and capture what I was feeling on the trip.”

The project’s major theme is travel. The 5-track EP opens with “Home to Me,” an autobiographical narrative on the singer’s lifestyle. She confesses that even though she loves the road, the love she receives from her significant other will always bring her home. 

“No I can’t help it, I’m a traveling soul // That river running, I was born to go // But wherever all these winding paths or railroad tracks may lead // you’ll still be home to me”

The next track, “Pieces of My Heart,” is a troubadour anthem about how the singer never planned on her career heading down this path, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. She compares the songs she sings to ‘pieces of her heart’ that she leaves in the communities she performs in. This is followed by an acoustic cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” which was recorded in a single take. 

The fourth track, “Coming Together,” is an ode to music. Not only does it allow the singer to see new places all over the world, but it also creates unity between all different types of people. The EP’s closer, “Wheels,” was also recorded in one take. In this slow, acoustic confessional ballad, the singer admits there is nothing that could keep her from the road. 

“How long could you stay in the clouds // That’s the thing about a high is you don’t ever wanna come down // If I could I’d never stop these wheels from spinning ‘round”

This stripped-down, roots-driven sound calls back to her debut release, Living Room Worktapes—an EP that showcased Townes’ transcendent vocals and raw emotion. Townes and her producer, guitarist Jaxon Hargrove, got resourceful with their setup for this new project—a suitcase turned into a kickdrum; tin foil and paper bowls became a shaker; and teacups made the perfect substitute for a triangle. Recording mainly in the train’s caboose, most songs were captured in between shows in less than twenty minutes.

“Being in motion is my favorite state. I love the hum of the engines and the blur of the evergreens out the window, in any mode of transportation,” admitted Townes. “I really do believe that home is not a place, but a feeling that you get. And being on the road, singing songs for people and feeling a part of a collective brought together through music, that feels like home to me.”

Train Track Worktapes EP Tracklist:

  1. Home to Me (Tenille Townes)
  2. Pieces of My Heart (Tenille Townes)
  3. Landslide (Stevie Nicks)
  4. Coming Together (Tenille Townes, Jaxon Hargrove)
  5. Wheels (Tenille Townes, Jaxon Hargrove)
tenille-townes-ep

Tenille Townes’ new EP, ‘Train Track Worktapes,’ is officially out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Tenille Townes releases.

To keep up with Tenille Townes, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Train Track Worktapes EP is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

caitlyn-smith-album

Caitlyn Smith: ‘High & Low’ Album Review

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Caitlyn Smith’s new album High & Low is officially out now, April 14th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

In April of 2022, Caitlyn Smith released the critically acclaimed High, a beautiful and poetic eight-track celebration of the great things in life. Today, however, the singer-songwriter is back with High & Low, exploring the full gamut of emotions by adding 6 new songs to complete the full picture.

Much like those on social media who only share a highlight reel of the positive moments in life, Smith realized she was doing the same thing musically. “Nobody can have the highs without the lows,” she revealed. “When I decided to produce this album, I knew it was going to be a challenge – and musically it was a beautifully stretching & exciting experience. But it brought me into this unexpected season of life where I started facing all these roadblocks that were holding me back. Fear. Doubt. Denial. And I was really forced to finally bring these issues into the light. I went from hiding behind my songs to being able to say it out loud in the room – and that’s something I’m really proud of.”

For the Monument recording artist, High & Low feels like a peek into the introspective singer-songwriter’s most personal diary as she details her insecurities, her doubts, her lost love, and much more. Instead of emphasizing just the highs, the album explores all sides of life: the sweet, the bitter, and the bittersweet.

“High” serves as the album’s introduction, and it’s the most perfect way to begin this chapter, cleverly juxtaposing melancholy lyrics over lush instrumentation. Here, she’s both high and low as a relationship has ended, but she doesn’t quite feel that way. Co-written by Smith with Miley Cyrus and Jenn Decilveo, the chanteuse proclaims, “Sometimes I get a little too high // Got my mind going places I don’t wanna go // Sometimes I get a little too low // And I can’t see myself through the fire and smoke…And in my head I did my very best // Saying goodbye, goodbye // And I don’t miss you but I think of you // And don’t know why // I still feel high, I still feel high.”

Love lost permeates the album, Smith’s mournful voice ripe with emotion as she rips your heart out with her lyrical mastery. This is evident on “I Don’t Like the World Without You,” “I Think of You” and the chill-inducing piano ballad, “Lately,” which finds her desperate to occupy herself in light of a relationship ending. Likewise, “Alaska” finds Smith proverbially lost in her relationship, her voice dripping with emotion on the sparse ballad, which begins with the line “I’m terrified we’ll end up like my parents, together but alone.”

Smith finds herself in another state on “Mississippi,” which features stirring male background vocals by non-other than superstar, Garth Brooks. The vocals add an incomparable depth to the song. Here, she’s longing for the state, which seems to act as a metaphor for someone she used to know. “Mississippi, do you ever miss me? // It’s been a while but you’re always on my mind // Sometimes it hits me like a burnin’ whiskey // That I’ll never really ever say goodbye // To you, Mississippi.”

It’s not all doom and gloom on High & Low, with tracks like “Downtown Baby,” “Dreamin’s Free” and “Good As Us” providing much-needed moments of levity. The former has hints of pop, while “Dreamin’s Free” is a lush and ethereal ode to the fact that money can’t buy happiness. Likewise, “Good As Us” has an almost Daisy Jones-like vibe with its airy melodies and smoky vocals, punctuated by a grooving baseline and tambourine shake. In fact, we can almost imagine Daisy and Billy on stage singing along to this track, proclaiming, “Nothing else can make me feel as good as us.”

“Maybe in Another Life” is a clear standout, starting as a subdued ballad before building into a heart-stopping orchestral moment. Here, she longs for a universe in which her love story has less of a tragic end. “And I’ll love you forever with the fire in my soul // Maybe I could be your girl // And we don’t ever say goodbye,” She proclaims. “Maybe in another life.”

Alternatively, “Writing Songs and Raising Babies” has Smith accepting the less-than-glamorous hand she’s been dealt in life, embracing the mundane. On the groovy track which finds her channeling her inner Maren Morris, the singer-songwriter proclaims that there’s “nothing here too glamorous, taking it one day at a time, but damn it’s a beautiful life.”

Finally, the album ends with “The Great Pretender,” an uber-relatable ode to dealing with facades and imposter syndrome. Here, Smith is at her finest, shining through as a folksy songwriter and storyteller in the vein of a mastermind like Brandi Carlile. “Nobody knows I’m crying in a bathroom stall // And I’m living in a house of cards about to fall,” She emotes. “But I make them believe that I’ve never been better // I am the great pretender”

On High & Low, Caitlyn Smith takes listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of life in a way that’s equal parts heartbreaking, beautiful, and heartbreakingly beautiful.

High & Low Track List:

  1. High – Intro
  2. High
  3. Dreamin’s Free
  4. Lately
  5. Mississippi
  6. Good as Us
  7. Alaska
  8. Maybe in Another Life
  9. I Think of You
  10. Nothing Against You
  11. Downtown Baby
  12. Writing Songs and Raising Babies
  13. I Don’t Like The World Without You
  14. The Great Pretender

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “High”
  2. “Mississippi”
  3. “Alaska”
  4. “Maybe in Another Life”
  5. “Lately”
caitlyn-smith-album

Caitlyn Smith’s new album, ‘High & Low’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Caitlyn Smith announcements and releases.

The mega-talented singer will headline her own acoustic tour in support of Independent music venues on The Great Pretender Solo Tour. “I wanted to bring my fans into the room with me to where these songs began. Feelings. Stories. One voice and one instrument. Songs in their purest form,” She shares. “Sharing these wonderfully intimate rooms with people allows me to connect and be more vulnerable than I have been able to be in years. Hopefully, this experience will mean as much to my fans as I know it’s going to mean to me.”

To keep up with Caitlyn Smith, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

High & Low is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Jake-worthington-debut-album

Jake Worthington: Self-titled Debut Album Review

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Jake Worthington’s self-titled debut album with Big Loud Records is out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

With a voice laced with depth, sincerity and traditionalism, Big Loud recording artist Jake Worthington is certainly a standout in the modern landscape. Today, the country newcomer released his debut self-titled album, a thirteen track love letter to country music.

For the Texas native who grew up on the likes of Ray Price, Merle Haggard, and George Jones, traditional country music is in his DNA. “I don’t mind being a dark horse,” he reveals in a statement. “Blame it on my raising, but I think there ought to be room for country in country music. It took me a long time to get here, but I’m ready to go to work.”

For Worthington, who co-wrote all but one of the new tracks, the project cements his place as a standout of the genre. With co-writers including ERNEST, Seth Ennis, Jessi Alexander, David Lee Murphy, and more, the young crooner sounds wise beyond his 27 years.

Maybe best known as the runner up on the sixth season of NBC’s The Voice, Worthington’s debut establishes him as way more than a flash in the pan reality contestant. In fact, throughout the album, Worthington often channels his inner George Strait, and we mean that in a good way. This styling is apparent on the album’s first track, “State You Left Me In,” which hearkens melodically and stylistically back to Strait’s classic “The Chair.” While his lost love is moving on, both literally and figuratively, he’ll be sure to stick around, just in case she ever comes back.

Love lost is a prevalent theme throughout the album, weaving its way through songs like “Without You,” “Ain’t Got You to Hold,” and “She Ain’t You.” While the latter is a stirring ballad, the others are toe-tapping dance floor anthems that are sure to have listeners two-stepping at the dance halls. The lyrics may be dealing with heartbreak, but there’s no lack of happiness within the actual music, providing an interesting juxtaposition for listeners.

“Single at the Same Time” is an immediate standout, a toe-tapping ode to a couple who just can’t seem to get their timing right. “If we’re ever single at the same time // Don’t call me a friend // Just call me sometime,” He muses. “Don’t think I ain’t got the same thing on my mind // If we’re ever single at the same time.”

“Honky Tonk Crowd,” “Night Time is My Time,” and “Next New Thing” are all laden with slide guitars and twangy piano. On each of these tracks,  Worthington knows exactly who he is, what he likes, and where he’s going. “I’m just a good ol’ boy,” He sings, his voice laden with country inflection. “Looking for the next new thing.” 

“Pop Goes the Whiskey” enlists ERNEST as both a co-writer and duet partner, on a song that is remnant of early Brad Paisley. On the love-lost tune, the pair trade verses about trying to move on at the bottom of the bottle. “Oh, and what do you know // Here I go // Back to the bottle again // Between heartache and liquor I’m up to my eyes,” They sing. “And I’m looking // For a tipsy // That’ll fix me for good this time // And it looks like its pop goes the whiskey tonight.”

“Closing Time” is the most appropriate final track, a barstool ballad mixing heartbreak with last call as Worthington compares moving on from a doomed relationship to the end of the night blues. “It just ain’t close enough to closin’ time // For me to leave this bar // And our love behind // I know I’ll close my tab // With you off my mind,” He drawls. “It just ain’t close enough to closin’ time.”

Produced by Joey Moi, Jake Worthington’s self-titled LP is one that is sure to entice traditional country music fans while winning over tons of new ones. It’s a modern way to approach classic country, resulting in one of the genre’s most intriguing and impressive debuts in recent memory.

Jake Worthington Track List:

  1. State You Left Me In (Timothy Baker, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  2. Single At The Same Time (Robert Arthur, Kim Penz, Jacob Weinschenk (Boyd), Jake Worthington) 
  3. Without You (Jody Booth, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  4. Pop Goes The Whiskey (feat. ERNEST) (Rocky Block, Kyle Fishman, Seth Ennis, Ernest Keith Smith) 
  5. Ain’t Got You To Hold (Joe Denim, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  6. She Ain’t You (Jake Doucet, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  7. Next New Thing (Steve Leslie, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  8. Honky Tonk Crowd (Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington)
  9. I Ain’t Goin Anywhere (Wyatt McCubbin, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  10. Night Time Is My Time (Monty Holmes, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  11. Only One Way To Find Out (Jessi Alexander, Dave Cohen, David Lee Murphy, Jake Worthington) 
  12. Heaven Can’t Be Found (Will Jones, Kim Penz, Roger Springer, Jake Worthington) 
  13. Closing Time (Nick Walsh, Jake Worthington) 

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Single at the Same Time”
  2. “State You Left Me In”
  3. “Pop Goes the Whiskey”
Jake-worthington-debut-album

Jake Worthington’s self-titled debut album is officially out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Jake Worthington announcements and releases.

To keep up with the star, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Jake Worthington’s self-titled debut album is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Ian-munsick-album

Here is Ian Munsick’s New Album ‘White Buffalo’

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Ian Munsick’s new album, White Buffalo is out now, April 7th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

In his sophomore debut, Ian Munsick is leaving nothing to be desired. His brand new record White Buffalo features eighteen brand new songs that will take you through the gamut of emotions, and keep you in awe of the singer-songwriter’s one-of-a-kind talent.

“A lot can happen in three years. In fact, I’ve had more change in my life in the last three years than the 26 years leading up to them. I’ve become a father and a husband. I’ve become a better songwriter, entertainer and have finished working on my second album!,” shared Munsick in a recent press release. “White Buffalo will take you on a journey through the last three years of my life. Songs about love, loss, fatherhood, nostalgia, cowgirls and cow shit with, of course, plenty of fiddle. I could not be prouder of this record or more excited for you to hear it. It’s been three years in the making, but I promise you it’s been worth the wait.”

Listen to the brand-new record below, and be on the lookout for our full review.

White Buffalo Track List:

  1. From the Horse’s Mouth
  2. Arrowhead
  3. River Run
  4. Ranch Hand
  5. Neon Brightside
  6. Long Live Cowgirls (with Cody Johnson)
  7. Barn Burner
  8. Dig
  9. More Than Me
  10. Little Man
  11. White Buffalo
  12. Bluegrass
  13. Cowshit in the Morning
  14. Field of Dreams (ft. Vince Gill)
  15. Blazin’
  16. Missin’ Her Play
  17. Horses & Weed
  18. Indian Paintbrush
Ian-munsick-white-buffalo-album

Ian Munsick’s new album, ‘White Buffalo’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Ian Munsick announcements and releases.

To keep up with Ian Munsick, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

White Buffalo is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Luke-combs-new-album-gettin-old

Luke Combs: ‘GETTIN’ OLD’ – Album Review

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Luke Combs’ new album, GETTIN’ OLD is out now, March 24th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

A mere nine months since the release of the 3x Grammy-nominated, Growin’ Up, Luke Combs is back with its new companion project, Gettin’ Old. Featuring eighteen new tracks, fifteen of which he co-wrote, the fourth studio album continues to exemplify why Combs is country music’s fastest-rising star.

Of the album, he says, “This album is about the stage of life I’m in right now. One that I’m sure a lot of us are in, have been through or will go through. It’s about coming of age, loving where life is now but at the same time missing how it used to be, continuing to fall for the one you love and loving them no matter what, living in the moment but still wondering how much time you have left, family, friends, being thankful, and leaving a legacy. Me and so many others have poured their hearts and souls into this record, and I hope you love it as much as we do.”

With his unassuming nature and powerhouse voice, the North Carolina native continues to make music that is the perfect mix of radio-ready yet meaningful, nostalgic yet modern. It never feels like Combs is chasing trends or trying to be something he’s not, but instead, he’s blazing his own trail on a road that not many have been able to perfectly navigate.

A perfect example of this is one of three songs not co-penned by Combs, a smooth cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 megahit, “Fast Car.” Here, he manages to stay true to the original, while still Comb-ifying it in just the right ways. Similarly, “Fox in the Henhouse” is a bluesy, soulful track that allows Combs to stretch his vocals over a blistering instrumentation that isn’t likely to be heard on country radio, but could easily be a duet with Chris Stapleton.

Nostalgia and simplicity are prevalent themes throughout the album, weaving through the appreciation of life in the form of “Five Leaf Clover” and the 90s-inspired “Hannah Ford Road.” There’s “Back 40 Back,” an ode to simpler times, and a love letter to a deceased father in the form of “See Me Now.” On “Back 40 Back,” Combs longs for progress to slow down as everything is “changing way too fast,” while “See Me Now” has him yearning for more time with someone who has passed. “I’d like to think you’d be the proudest guy in town,” He sings over twangy instrumentation. “If I could see you, see me now.”

“Where the Wild Things Are” is the perfect story song, dealing with two brothers on different paths, while “The Beer, the Band, and the Barstool” is the epitome of a true country song. Likewise “Joe” tells the tale of someone dealing with alcohol addiction and subsequent sobriety, in a way that Combs hopes will relate to fans who love country music, but don’t drink.

“There have been some folks in my family that have struggled with alcoholism and addiction through the years,” Combs wrote. “I’ve got buddies who live a sober lifestyle, and I’m sure y’all know someone who has struggled with these types of things, or maybe you, yourself do. This song is really important to me for that reason.”

The album’s opening track is the perfect bridge between this album, and the last, as he’s “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old.” Here, Combs is coming of age and slowing things down, knowing there are things he can do, but probably shouldn’t.

“But I can still raise hell all night with the boys when I want to // Lay that hammer down to see how fast she’ll go // But these days I hang my hat on what I won’t do // And I’ve been finding peace of mind, slowing my roll // You learn to tow that line with time, as it goes In the middle of growin’ up, and gettin’ old.”

“You Found Yours” is an immediate earworm about that special moment when something just feels right, ranging from a pup to a car to a girl. “When you feel that kind of feeling,” he sings, “Yeah you found yours…that living, breathing reason you’ve been looking for.” Likewise, “Still” is a similarly twangy ode to that someone special with a clever lyrical twist. “I’m still falling for you girl,” He croons. “From the second that I saw you, my whole world stood still.”

The clever “A Song Was Born” amusingly tackles all of the ways in which a song comes to life, while “My Song Will Never Die” deals with the fact that Combs will eventually pass on, but his songs will live forever. “It ain’t about the leaving, it’s in what you leave behind,” He sings stoically. “I will, but my song will never die.”

Gettin’ Old concludes with the stirring “The Part,” a sparse ballad about the downsides of stardom and the elements that are never mentioned when the life of a touring musician is celebrated. 

“They tell you ’bout the old guitars // The songs that bought the house and cars // And how your hometown’s proud of where you are // And they tell you ’bout the girls you’ll get // But not the one you’re gonna miss // While they scream your name again in some small town // Yeah, that’s the part, they don’t tell you about.”

While Luke Combs may think he’s Gettin’ Old, the new release shows his growth as a singer, a songwriter, a vocalist, and an overall artist. In fact, many things just get better with age, and rather than Gettin’ Old, this album could’ve been titled “Gettin’ Even Better.”

GETTIN’ OLD TRACK LIST:

  1. Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old
  2. Hannah Ford Road
  3. Back 40 Back
  4. You Found Yours
  5. The Beer, The Band and The Barstool
  6. Still
  7. See Me Now
  8. Joe
  9. A Song Was Born
  10. My Song Will Never Die
  11. Where the Wild Things Are
  12. Love You Anyway
  13. Take You With Me
  14. Fast Car
  15. Tattoo on a Sunburn
  16. 5 Leaf Clover
  17. Fox in the Henhouse
  18. The Part

Country Swag Picks:

  1. You Found Yours
  2. Where the Wild Things Are
  3. The Part
Luke-combs-new-album

Luke Combs new album ‘GETTIN’ OLD’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Luke Combs announcements and releases.

To keep up with Luke Combs, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

GETTIN’ OLD is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Stephen-wilson-jr-ep

Stephen Wilson Jr. Releases Debut EP ‘bon aqua’ – Review

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Stephen Wilson Jr.’s debut EP, bon aqua is out now, March 24th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project below.

Country music is evolving, and it is exciting. Newcomer, Stephen Wilson Jr. is changing the country music landscape to encompass his country meets Death Cab For Cutie sound. Today, Wilson officially unveils his debut EP, bon aqua in conjunction with the exciting news that he signed a record deal with Big Loud Records.

The seven song project is both innovative and unique. The record kicks off with the single “the devil,” an inside look at all the troubles the world faces day in and day out. It serves as a reminder that Wilson is not afraid to speak his mind through music.

“A snake will crawl the earth to shed its skin to make more room for the poison // And the filthy rich will rob you clean until you raise your voices // The louder one above the rest will call himself a rebel // There’s the one you know and there’s the one you don’t // But they’re still both the devil”

On track number two, the singer-songwriter enlists the help of Hailey Whitters, who is featured on the song. “American Gothic,” co-written by Wilson with Whitters is the only brand new song on the collection. The track speaks to the storytelling aspect of country music, as the two sing about growing up in the cornfields that they are both from.

Wilson continues to rely on nostalgia as a theme in the project. The theme is evident on songs, “Year To Be Young 1994” and “Hometown.” On the former, Wilson honors people in his life who have passed away, but will never be forgotten.

According to the singer’s sentiments on the song’s video, “Year To Be Young 1994″ is a chapter of the story of my life, and the VHS footage from my young and adolescent childhood stars my hero, my dad, Stephen Wilson Sr., who passed away in late 2018. This video is a tribute to him, as well as my best friend Marc Chandler who passed away shortly after my 16th birthday where I got my first electric guitar, which you will see in this video. It is also a tribute to my late stepbrother William (Paul William) who is featured in this video as a young boy. They are dearly missed.”

Similarly on “Hometown,” Wilson paints the picture of how he grew up in what feels like a love letter to his hometown.

“I wanna be home in my own hometown // Back where my roots ran wild // In the barefoot stomping ground // Yeah I wanna wake up to some of that cooking // Know my way around without looking // Home in my own hometown // I’m always gonna be hometown”

Wilson gives fans another taste of his childhood and his upbringing on “Holler From The Holler.” A shining spot on the record, the single is a true testament to the singer-songwriter’s talent as a vocalist, a songwriter, and a storyteller. On the final two tracks off the EP, “billy” and “The Beginning,” the singer leans into his storytelling side yet again.

Overall, Stephen Wilson Jr. is a talent to look out for. He is a true artist amongst a sea of singers. bon aqua is just the beginning of what’s in store for the singer-songwriter and his blossoming career!

bon aqua Track List:

  1. the devil
  2. American Gothic ft. Hailey Whitters
  3. Year To Be Young 1994
  4. Hometown
  5. Holler From The Holler
  6. billy
  7. The Beginning

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Year To Be Young 1994
  2. American Gothic ft. Hailey Whitters
  3. The Beginning
Stephen-wilson-jr-ep

Stephen Wilson Jr.’s EP, ‘bon aqua’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Stephen Wilson Jr. announcements and releases.

To keep up with Stephen Wilson Jr., follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

bon aqua is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Alana-springsteen-album

Alana Springsteen: ‘Twenty Something: Messing It Up’ – Album Review

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Alana Springsteen’s debut album, Twenty Something: Messing It Up is out now, March 24th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

Alana Springsteen knows how to create music that fans relate to, while still making her songs as personal as they come. Today, marks the first installment of her emotional and touching three part debut album. The singer-songwriter releases six new songs in a record she is calling Twenty Something: Messing It Up.

“I have a tendency to let my feelings consume me, whether they’re good or bad. That’s why I ended up becoming a songwriter, so I could have a productive outlet for those emotions and all of that turmoil,” shared Springsteen in a recent press release. This sentiment personifies each and every track on the record.

“You Don’t Deserve A Country Song” kicks off the project. The song is a powerful anthem of reclaiming yourself after a break-up. According to Springsteen, “It’s about finding my confidence and getting to a place where I could start to trust myself and my judgment again. Most importantly, it’s a reminder to myself about the importance of living in the present and being grateful for all of the ‘once in a lifetime’ moments I’ve been lucky enough to experience recently.” Fans have already fallen in love with it.

Next up, “If You Love Me Now” speaks to Springsteen’s self-aware side. The songstress shares about her journey in love, as well as, her flaws in the beautifully, honest track. Springsteen continues with the vulnerability on “Caught Up To Me;” however, this song is about getting your heart broken. She flips the script, sharing how it feels to be the heartbroken versus the heartbreaker, the role she is used to playing.

On the lone duet, “Goodbye Looks Good On You,” Springsteen enlists Mitchell Tenpenny to help bring the song to life. Continuing to put her heart on the line, the singers share what it would be like to have a healthy breakup. In the refreshing track, Springsteen and Tenpenny sing about wanting happiness for the others, rather than tearing an ex down. On the other hand, on “Tennessee Is Mine,” one of our favorites on the record, Springsteen tells her ex to stay out of Tennessee. While the song may not embody a “healthy” break-up, it is as relatable as ever.

Finally the record wraps up with one of Springsteen’s most honest and heartbreaking songs to date, “Shoulder To Cry On.” Written from a place of immense heartbreak, the songstress emotes through lyrics, while conveying a wordplay that brings the song from good to great.

“I need to talk but we ain’t talking // Tears need to fall and I can’t stop ’em // This heart’s about to break // Right on the interstate // I ain’t gonna make it home // So I’m pulling over // ‘Cause I need a shoulder to cry on”

Springsteen has unmatched talent. She gives fans an inside look into her heart and soul through her honest and vulnerable music. Each song off the first part of Twenty Something: Messing It Up is perfectly done. Springsteen knocks it out of the park with this album!

Twenty Something: Messing It Up Track List:

  1. “You Don’t Deserve A Country Song”
  2. “If You Love Me Now”
  3. “Caught Up To Me”
  4. “Goodbye Looks Good On You (feat. Mitchell Tenpenny)”
  5. “Tennessee Is Mine”
  6. “Shoulder To Cry On”

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Caught Up To Me”
  2. “Tennessee Is Mine”
  3. “Goodbye Looks Good On You (feat. Mitchell Tenpenny)”
Alana-springsteen-album

Alana Springsteen’s new album, Twenty Something: Messing It Up is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Alana Springsteen announcements and releases.

To keep up with Alana Springsteen, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Twenty Something: Messing It Up is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Luke-combs-new-album-gettin-old

Here is Luke Combs’ New Album ‘GETTIN’ OLD’

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Luke Combs’ new album, GETTIN’ OLD is out now, March 24th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

The second part of Luke Combs double album is officially here. GETTIN’ OLD features eighteen new songs, including, “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old,” “Joe,” and Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s song “Fast Car.” The record is one of Combs most prolific records to date.

“This album is about the stage of life I’m in right now. One that I’m sure a lot of us are in, have been through, or will go through,” shared Combs in a recent press release. “It’s about coming of age, loving where life is now but at the same time missing how it used to be, continuing to fall for the one you love and loving them no matter what, living in the moment but still wondering how much time you have left, family, friends, being thankful, and leaving a legacy. Me and so many others have poured their hearts and souls into this record, and I hope you love it as much as we do.”

Listen to the brand-new record below, and be on the look-out for our full review.

GETTIN’ OLD TRACK LIST:

  1. Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old
  2. Hannah Ford Road
  3. Back 40 Back
  4. You Found Yours
  5. The Beer, The Band and The Barstool
  6. Still
  7. See Me Now
  8. Joe
  9. A Song Was Born
  10. My Song Will Never Die
  11. Where the Wild Things Are
  12. Love You Anyway
  13. Take You With Me
  14. Fast Car
  15. Tattoo on a Sunburn
  16. 5 Leaf Clover
  17. Fox in the Henhouse
  18. The Part
Luke-combs-new-album

Luke Combs new album ‘GETTIN’ OLD’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Luke Combs announcements and releases.

To keep up with Luke Combs, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

GETTIN’ OLD is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.