George Birge’s self-titled debut EP is out now, February 18th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below.
There are few things we love more than championing new artists! New recording artist and TikTok sensation, George Birge fits the bill. The singer-songwriter’s debut self-titled EP is officially here.
A collection of five well put-together songs, Birge showcases his vocals and writing talents as we get to know the new artist on the project. Co-writing four of the five tracks, the EP kicks off with the lone outside cut, “Reason To Go.” The song is inviting and heartfelt. It paints the picture of heartbreak and confidence all in the same breathe.
“No reason to stay is a good reason to go // No reason to try when one of us won’t // Ain’t just going to hang around // and gettin nowhere with you in this little town”
Next-up “Mind On You” showcases a romantic and flirtatious side to Birge. A smooth country slow-groove, the current single is a fan-favorite for good reason. Similarly, the record includes viral song, “Beer Beer, Truck Truck.” The song is a true ode to country music and country living.
Of course, the EP also boasts two brand new songs, arguably two of our favorites on the project. Written by Birge with Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, and Matt Stell, “Whiskey Side” gives fans a taste of the singer’s life and feelings.
Similarly, the other new song, “Didn’t Think I’d Miss” is an authentic inner look at Birge’s upbringing. Like many of us, who flee our hometowns, we always find ourselves feeling nostalgic and homesick, when we leave.
“I put that song on the stereo // She’s back in my arms again // Thought it’d be easy to let her go // But now I just can’t quit // Thinking about things I didn’t think I’d miss // Backroad buzzing where the train-track splits // A hometown girl and a goodbye kiss // Just thinking about things I didn’t think I’d miss”
“If I’m being honest, I’ve dreamed about making this project my whole life,” shared George in a recent press release. “Getting the opportunity to make the exact record I want to make, with the exact people I wanted to make it with, feels unbelievable. This project is me; I can’t wait to share it with the world.” This sentiment describes the debut EP to a tee, and we know country fans everywhere are going to continue to flock to Birge’s music.
George Birge’s self-titled debut EP is out now, February 18th
George Birge EP Tracklist:
Reason To Go (Written by Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman)
Mind On You (Written by George Birge, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Colt Ford)
Whiskey Side (Written by George Birge, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Matt Stell)
Didn’t Think I’d Miss (Written by George Birge, Michael Tyler, Ben Stennis)
Beer Beer, Truck Truck (Written by George Birge and Eyrnn Chambers)
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future George Birge releases.
George Birge EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
Sean Stemaly’s new album, Product Of A Small Town is out now, February 18th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the album below.
Following in the footsteps of Florida Georgia Line and Chris Lane, country newcomer Sean Stemaly has paired with super-producer Joey Moi to release his debut album, Product Of A Small Town. Out today, February 18, the album is a fourteen song collection that includes eight songs co-written by Stemaly. Other writers contributing to the project include big names like HARDY, ERNEST, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Kerr, and Ashley Gorley.
The album opens with the title track, a driving dedication to growing up in a small town that sets the stage for the rest of the album. Here, Stemaly celebrates life in the country, and the people who are just like him. “We’re the product of a small town // Rowdy southern drawl crowd // Muddy water mason jar // Lightning in our veins,” He sings. “Work a blue-collar 40 // For a Friday night // Till it’s noise complaints and blue lights // Cranking country way too loud // We’re the product of a small town”
Country living is a theme that permeates Product Of A Small Town, lacing songs including “Back on a Backroad,” “Love Me Like Kentucky,” and “Can’t Be Me.” The theme continues through Stemaly’s collaboration with Jimmie Allen and Justin Moore on “WD-40 4WD,” one of the album’s clear high points. The trio trade vocals here on an ode to living the country lifestyle. “If you wanna be country, all you really need,” They sing. “Is some WD40 and a 4WD.”
Other highlights of the album include “Can’t Be Me” and “Last Night All Day.” The former is a bittersweet track where Stemaly tells a girl that if she can’t imagine living his country lifestyle, their relationship just won’t work out. If she can’t grow to love the way he lives, the future is bleak for their relationship. Meanwhile. “Last Night All Day” is a twangy and earwormy ode to a night you can’t forget with somebody special. Here, Stemaly can’t get her out of his head, replaying their night over and over.
Lyrically, “Georgia” is a high point of the album, cleverly weaving famous song titles into the chorus in a way that’s super catchy. “I got exes still in Texas // A couple girls that I don’t mess with // You’re the reason I ain’t seeing California girls // When I’m dreaming I’ve walked in Memphis,” He sings. “A night or two I spent my last dime // Callin’ Baton Rouge // But even after all this time // I still got Georgia on my mind.”
Additionally, “If Heaven Had a Weekend” is remnant of Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” as we find the singer-songwriter longing for the ability to spend some time with those who have passed away. It’s a relatable and heartfelt track that everyone can relate to, with goodbyes not seeming so hard if heaven was a place we could visit. Stemaly took to social media about this track, writing “After my grandpa passed away I wanted to write a song for anyone whose felt the same pain I felt after losing someone you love. Hope this helps somebody.”
“There would be tears // But not near as many // And there’d still be time to make us some memories // And sayin’ goodbye wouldn’t feel so much like they were leavin’ // If Heaven had a weekend”
For Sean Stemaly, Product Of A Small Town is the perfect introduction to the country boy who is a little bit traditional, a little bit modern, and a whole lot of small town.
Product Of A Small Town Tracklist:
“Product Of A Small Town” (Sean Stemaly, David Bliek, Gary Garris, Andrew Marik, Noah West)
“Last Night All Day” (Matt Dragstrem, Ben Johnson, Hunter Phelps)
“Can’t Be Me” (Sean Stemaly, John Byron)
“Z71” (Sean Stemaly, Andy Albert, Brett Tyler)
“Speaking My Language” (Sean Stemaly, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass)
“Comeback Town” (Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Ernest Keith Smith)
“Love Me Like Kentucky” (Sean Stemaly, Ernest Keith Smith)
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Sean Stemaly releases.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/sean-stemaly-new-album-new-song.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2022-02-18 02:11:542022-02-18 02:22:00Sean Stemaly: ‘Product Of A Small Town’ – Album Review
Dustin Lynch’s new album, Blue In The Sky is out now, February 11th on all streaming platforms. Learn about the album below.
Things are looking sunny for Dustin Lynch today, February 11, as he releases Blue In The Sky, his fifth studio album with Broken Bow Records. With twelve new tracks, five of which he co-wrote, the Zach Crowell-produced collection features a perfect combination of party anthems and heartfelt ballads.
“Get ready for a collection of songs that are going to make you feel good and want to mix a drink and party with your friends,” shares Lynch in a statement. He kicks the album off with a bang, opening with the rousing up-tempo “Party Mode,” that, in many ways, feels like it’s setting the stage for his tour of the same name. Lynch tells American Songwriter that that song came to him just after a break up. “Breakups suck, but they’re not always a bad thing. You can fulfill yourself and feel excited again about life and what life holds and all the unknowns,” he said. “‘Party Mode’ was sent to me right after that window of time. It was a perfect match for where I was, and getting to do a lot of living out on the boats because we weren’t touring as much, so it just fit perfectly.”
Another stage-ready anthem is “Stars Like Confetti,” co-written by Thomas Rhett. “Baby you were glowin’ // God was throwin’ // Stars like confetti,” Lynch sings of a night under the stars with a special lady over an earwormy melody that is sure to get stuck in your head.
Meanwhile, “Somethin’ That Makes You Smile” is a song that’s perfect for the crazy world we’re living in, celebrating the simpler things in life. “Whatever it is, ya better get to it,” He sings, reminding listeners to enjoy whatever it is that makes them smile, whether it’s working on a car, fishing, or a drink with friends.
Lynch enlists some of his famous friends to join him on Blue In The Sky, including MacKenzie Porter on the previously released chart-topper “Thinking ‘Bout You.” Additionally, Chris Lane trades verses with the singer on the tropics-laden “Tequila on a Boat” and Riley Green joins for “Huntin’ Land.” While the former is an ode to exactly what the title implies, the latter takes listeners on a clever lyrical journey. “Huntin’ Land” is a more traditional country song, a bit tongue-in-cheek as Lynch and Green trade verses about an annoying girlfriend whose “daddy has huntin’ land.” If he breaks her heart, he’ll lose access to a favorite pastime, so he might just stick around.
While Lynch may feel at home on party songs, he shines on the slower tracks, including “Pasadena” and “Not Every Cowboy.” On the almost etheral “Pasadena,” Lynch reminisces about a short fling that could’ve been so much more, but slipped away. The track is only made better by gorgeous background vocals from the incomparable Sarah Buxton.
Meanwhile, “Not Every Cowboy” is the album’s final track, a slow ballad that is both poignant and memorable. Here, he’s trying to prove he’s not like all the other cowboys. “Girl, I bet your momma warned you // ’bout guys like me // And this outlaw in my blood // Ain’t a wildcard up my sleeve // ‘Cause I ain’t a silhouette Stetson // Heading out west // In a red sunset // and taking your heart with me // So let me show you // that not every cowboy leaves”
On Blue In the Sky, Dustin Lynch offers a solid follow-up to 2020’s Tullahoma. With songs like “Stars Like Confetti ” and “Pasadena,” Lynch is out to prove that he’s “Not Every Cowboy.”
Blue in the Sky Tracklist:
“Party Mode” (Jerry Flowers, Ryan Beaver, Roman Alexander, Jared Keim, Matt McGinn)
“Thinking ’Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)” (Dustin Lynch, Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, Will Weatherly)
“Stars Like Confetti” (Josh Thompson, Thomas Rhett, Zach Crowell)
“Somethin’ That Makes You Smile” (Erik Dylan, Andy Sheridan, Wyatt McCubbin)
“Break It On A Beach” (Dustin Lynch, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Zach Crowell)
“Tequila On A Boat (feat. Chris Lane)” (Hillary Lindsey, Justin Ebach, Matt Alderman)
“Tennessee Trouble” (Dustin Lynch, Matt Dragstrem, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Minton)
“Summer Never Ended” (Cole Taylor, Ben Hayslip, Paul DiGiovanni)
Dustin Lynch’s new album, ‘Blue in the Sky’ is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Dustin Lynch announcements and releases.
Blue In The Sky 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dustin-lynch-album.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2022-02-11 01:36:412022-02-16 12:23:01Dustin Lynch: ‘Blue In The Sky’ – Album Review
Joe Nichols’ new album, Good Day For Living, featuring “Home Run” and “I Got Friends Who Do” with Blake Shelton, is out today, February 11. Read our review below.
Long considered one of country music’s best modern traditionalists, Joe Nichols stays true to that reputation on his new album, Good Day For Living, out today, February 11. The album is his first full-length project in four years, reuniting him with Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, the producers behind his hits “Sunny and 75” and “Yeah.”
“For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel any pressure,” Nichols says in a statement. “I’m around great people. I’m the type of person who’s always striving for more, but I’ve reached a place where I’m grateful for everything I’ve accomplished so far. It’s been such a good run. I feel at peace, and that has freed me up to make new music that’s very honest.”
For the Quartz Hill Record recording artist, who is releasing his first album with the new label, but his tenth in total, the album is a statement to what he does best. It’s Nichols at his finest and that’s just what fans have come to know. Nowhere is this more evident than the album’s title track, which is sure to lighten your step, starting with a feelgood whistle remnant of Nichols’ hit “Sunny and 75.”
In a press round, Nichols said, “I like this song because it puts me in a good mood,” and it does the same for his kids. He admitted that the song is a favorite among his 7 and 9-year-old, for the simple line, “AC’s broke so we gotta sleep naked.” Yet the ode to embracing the good parts of your day is much more than that. “Living it up // Living it right // Living each day // One day at a time // Ain’t making no worry no bigger than it is when it isn’t,” He sings, and you can almost feel him smiling. “Gonna take a sweet sip of whatever life’s fixing // It’s a good day for living.”
On the album’s opener, the tongue-in-cheek “Brokenhearted,” Nichols muses over fiddle and steel that country music these days is just a bit too full of parties and happiness. He’s turning on the radio in search of something to cry to and instead, he’s finding hooking up, South beach, tans, and parties. “Ain’t no cryingin your beer // Ain’t no she walked out the door,” He muses. “Ain’t nobody brokenhearted // In country music anymore.”
Another of the album’s highlights is the duet with Blake Shelton, “I Got Friends Who Do,” a single-worthy ode to having friends in high places. On the fun up-tempo, the pair trade verses like old buddies, singing about all the favors they can call in from friends, tongues firmly planted in cheeks. “It’s all about who you know,” Shelton sings. “I’ve got friends everywhere I go.”
“That’s How I Grew Up” tells the story of his younger days, admitting “most things I learned the hard way, but that’s how I grew up.” The story is a familiar country tale of dirt roads and church pews, Nichols singing, “I grew up in a back seat // On a back road // With the one that got away // Grew up in a back pew of an old church // Where I learned Amazing Grace // Make no mistake that I wouldn’t change // Who I am or who I was // Most things I learned the hard way // But that’s how I grew up.”
“Home Run,” written by Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, and Ross Copperman, is just that. It’s Nichols doing what he does best, painting a picture with his voice. This time it’s a picture of longing for home, the lyrics put a unique spin on the term “home run.” Here, he’s ready to call it quits and hit the road to home. “It’s time I hit a home run // Point it toward that south sun // I’ll be touching bases with them faces // All them places I ain’t been too in way too long // ‘Cause I’ve been way too gone // Swinging for the fences I’ve been missing where I come from // It’s time I hit a home run”
Interestingly, Good Day For Living includes a handful of tracks that were previously released by other artists including “Brokenhearted” (William Michael Morgan), “Why Can’t She” (Adam Craig), “Reckon” (Adam Craig), “She Was” (Mark Chestnutt),and “Hawaii on Me” (Chris Janson). In an interview, Nichols says that he rarely knows who wrote a song before recording it, and that he checks for songs to pass an “acoustic test” before deciding to record it. Basically, if the song can stand up lyrically with only an acoustic guitar in a room full of people, then it’s one he wants.
Two of the album’s most clever tracks lyrically are “Reckon” and “Why Can’t She,” both penned and previously released by the incredibly talented Adam Craig.On the former, he puts a clever spin on words, as he reckons with what an ex is doing after he wrecked her heart. Then on “Why Can’t She,” he’s wondering why a woman can’t forgive him when God can, as the song builds in dramatic fashion. “God, tonight I’m calling out // But just a prayer ain’t saving me // I can’t undo the wrong I’ve done // But I know that // You can see // My heart’s full of regret// That’s why I’m down here on my knees // So if You can forgive me // Why can’t she?”
Nichols embraces mortality in a unique way on both “Hawaii on Me” and “She Was.” On the former, co-written by Chris Janson, he tells those who love him not to mourn when he passes, but to celebrate his life. He doesn’t want them to waste his money being sad, but instead wants them to go to Hawaii with that cash. “Put your feet in the sand // Buy you a coke // Raise it on up // Crack a good joke // Tiptoes in the water // And ashes to sea // Yeah, when I die // Go to Hawaii on me.” Meanwhile, on the album’s closing track, “She Was,” he sings of a mother, living selflessly before leaving the world. “If there ever was a picture of love,” He sings. “She was.”
On Good Day For Living, Joe Nichols has nothing to prove. Yet, he still proves why he’s one of country music’s most enduring voices, putting his own modern traditional spin on a wide array of songs and stories. There’s something for everyone here, from the sarcastic “Brokenhearted” through the bittersweet “She Was,” with everything from a Blake Shelton duet to a “Home Run” in-between. And it’s a home run, indeed.
Good Day For Living Tracklist:
“Brokenhearted” (Rhett Akins, Marv Green, John Thomas Harding)
“I Got Friends That Do” (feat. Blake Shelton) (Danick Dupelle, Tebey Ottoh, Jimmy Thow)
“Home Run”* (Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Ross Copperman)
“Dance With the Girl” (Jason Gantt, John Pierce, Emily Shackelton)
“I Wanna Be Your Tonight” (Philip O’Donnell, Wade Kirby, Marv Green)
“Good Day For Living” (Dave Cohen, Bobby Hambrick, Neil Mason)
“Screened In” (Neil Thrasher, Anthony Jerome Martin)
“That’s How I Grew Up” (Steven McMorran, Josh London, Adam Craig)
“Reckon” (Derek George, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
“Why Can’t She” (Adam Craig, Jon Nite, Matt Rogers)
“One Two Step Closer”* (Justin Lantz, Clint Daniels, Lance Miller)
“Hawaii on Me”^ (Chris Janson, Will Nance, Kelly Roland)
“She Was” (Neal Lee Coty, Jimmy Edward Melton)
Joe Nichols’ ‘Good Day For Living’ album is out now
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Joe Nichols announcements and releases.
Good Day For Living 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/joe-nichols-new-album.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2022-02-11 01:13:202022-02-15 15:41:35Joe Nichols: ‘Good Day For Living’ – Album Review
Priscilla Block’s debut album, Welcome To The Block Party is officially out now, February 11th, on all streaming platforms. Check out the new record and listen below.
We love a good success story. Country Swag Spotlight alum and 2021 Artist to Watch, Priscilla Block went from TikTok sensation to a major-label artist, and now, the singer-songwriter is celebrating the release of her debut album, out today. Welcome To The Block Party is officially here.
Featuring twelve tracks, the new album is everything we hoped that Block would deliver. According to the songstress, “It has all the trash, all the sass, and all the sad.” She added later in a press release, “I wrote all of these songs from a real and raw place, and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to show various aspects of where I’ve been and who I am.”
After an enticing intro track, the record kicks off with Block’s most recently released song, “My Bar.” An instantaneous hit, “My Bar” is the perfect combination of sassy and raw, a combo that the singer has perfected across the record. Block’s honesty and vulnerability continues on the next two tracks, “Heels In Hand” and “Like A Boy.” On the former, Block normalizes the idea that we can go from happy to sad all in one night, especially when dealing with a toxic relationship. Her relatability is at an all-time high on this track.
Next up, “I Know A Girl,” is one of our favorites on the album. Featuring fellow singer-songwriter, Hillary Lindsey, the song is both about hardship and liberation. In the first verse, Block sings about childhood with lyrics like “I know a girl // who grew up way too fast // in a house made of glass // where things got broken.” Still, in that same verse and in the verse to follow, the singer makes it clear that her hardships made her and definitely did not break her.
“You speed on up to slow back down // That’s just the way the world goes ‘round // It’ll break your heart // It’ll make you think you’ve lost everything // in the kitchen sink // When I’m down and out and when it hurts like hell // I tell myself that I know a girl”
Block continues with the anthemic songs on both “Ever Since You Left” and fan-favorite “Thick Thighs.” Her sassiness is also on full display on “I Bet You Wanna Know,” a song we loved from her debut EP.
On “I’ve Gotten Good,” Block slows it down again, leaning into the more vulnerable and quiet side of her music and songwriting. The song expresses what it’s like to fake feeling better after a rough break-up. “I’ve Gotten Good” is relatable and endearing, while not being too sad.
“Damn, I’ve gotten good // I’m the life of the party // You wouldn’t believe it if you saw me // I’m lookin’ damn good // You could call it the makeup, the glow of the breakup // Whatever I fake up // Yeah, it sure looks like it don’t hurt like it should // Damn, I’ve gotten good”
The next two songs are arguably two of the songs that started it all for Block. Backed by a pop-rock production, Block sings about comparing her ex to the whiskey she’s drinking on “Wish You Were The Whiskey.” Her twangy vocals, mixed with the storytelling aspect of the lyrics, bring the country element to this heart-aching jam.
On Block’s current radio single, “Just About Over You,” the songstress’ vocals are on full display. One of the best on the project, the song shows the singer-songwriter’s vulnerable side. She laments about how it feels to run into an ex before being completely over them.
“Why’d you have to come back in // right then, right when // I was just getting good and gone? // Guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time // You must’ve heard I was moving on // Then right out of the blue // a quarter past two // I’m all about you // When I was just about, just about over you // I was just about, just about over you”
The album ends with a song that perfectly ties the entire record together: “Peaked In High School.” The song is a true “victory lap” for Block and anyone who has ever felt like the outcast or like they did not fit in. It is a true embodiment of the singer’s sassiness, intellect, and talent all wrapped in one!
Welcome To The Block Party is everything we hoped it would be and more. Make room for Block in country music because she is not going anywhere! Get to know the singer more in our interview below.
Welcome To The Block Party Tracklist:
Welcome To The Block Party (Priscilla Block, Mark Mulch)
My Bar (Priscilla Block, Stone Aielli, Lexie Hayden)
Heels In Hand (Priscilla Block, Robbie Artress, Josh Beale, Sarah Jones, Kate Hasting)
Like A Boy (Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones, Emily Kroll)
I Know A Girl (Featuring Hillary Lindsey) (Priscilla Block, David Garcia, Hillary Lindsey)
Ever Since You Left (Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones, Josh Kerr)
Thick Thighs (Block Party Version) (Priscilla Block, Emily Kroll, Sarah Jones)
I Bet You Wanna Know (Priscilla Block, Stone Aielli, Sarah Jones)
I’ve Gotten Good (Priscilla Block, Liz Rose, Phil Barton)
Wish You Were The Whiskey (Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones, Josh Beale, Kate Hasting)
Just About Over You (Radio Edit) (Priscilla Block, Emily Kroll, Sarah Jones)
Peaked In High School (Priscilla Block, Josh Beale, Sarah Jones, Kate Hasting)
Priscilla Block’s debut album, ‘Welcome To The Block Party’ 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 Priscilla Block releases.
Welcome To The Block Party is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/priscilla-block-new-music.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2022-02-11 01:11:272022-02-15 15:42:54Priscilla Block: ‘Welcome To The Block Party’ – Album Review
Maddie & Tae’s newest EP, Through the Madness Vol. 1is officially out now, January 28th, and available on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.
On Through the Madness Volume 1, Maddie and Tae are stronger than ever. As a duo, the pair of Madison Font (formerly Marlow) and Taylor Kerr (formerly Dye) has become known for their intrinsic and ethereal harmonies paired with vulnerability-laden songwriting. This continues on Through the Madness, showing the pair getting better and better with each subsequent release.
Featuring eight brand new tracks, each song on Through the Madness Volume 1 was co-written by the duo, hearts fully on display with each lyric. They also enlist some of Nashville’s biggest names here, including Tae’s husband, Josh Kerr, Jordan Minton, Barry Dean, Luke Laird, and Jimmy Robbins.
Following in the footsteps of 2020’s The Way It Feels, this eight-song collection continues to show their growth as both individuals and a duo. Yet, some songs date back even further than that release. Kerr explains that one of the album’s highlights, “Don’t Make Her Look Dumb” isn’t exactly new. “We wrote ‘Don’t Make Her Look Dumb’ less than a month after “Die From A Broken Heart,” which was five years ago. Everyone loved the song, but Maddie and I felt like we’d already done it.” At the suggestion of their A&R rep, they brought in Morgane Stapleton, best known for performing with her husband, Chris.
Another highlight is the pair’s collaboration with Lori McKenna, “The Other Side.” The song embraces overcoming hardships, the trio harmonizing magically. “I know your heart is heavy// And your feet feel unsteady // That highwire is ready to break // Don’t forget // That there’s strength in the weakness // And light in the pieces // Even broke down hearts know how to shine,” They sing on the uplifting ballad. “Oh, there’s wisdom in the waiting // Peace in the patience // Time always takes care of the changing time // And if you need a hand // Then reach for mine // You’re closer than you think // To the other side.”
On the album’s opener, “What It’s Like Loving You,” the pair whimsically wonder about a relationship with someone new, wondering what it’ll be like. “If it’s anything like tonight,” they muse. “I could get used to // What it’s like loving you.” Meanwhile, they flip the script on “Woman You Got,” outlining the imperfections that make loving them an adventure. “I know you know me, but if I know me,” they sing teasingly. “I’m gonna drive you crazy.”
On “Wish You the Best,” the pair do what they do best, and turn a clever phrase into an incredible lyric. Since the “Girl in a Country Song Days,” they have shined with their lyrical prowess and this country kissoff is no exception. “I wish you the best, but you’ve already had it.”
Both “Madness” and “Strangers” are heartfelt love songs, with “Madness” as an ode to enduring love, promising that “if the world goes mad // I’ll love you through the madness.” The collection ends with the piano-driven “Strangers,” reflecting on the power of the kind of love that makes life before it seem irrelevant. While the song can most easily be interpreted as a love song to a significant other, it can easily be applied to a mother of a child, with Kerr welcoming her first daughter unexpectedly on January 17, nearly three months early.
For Maddie & Tae, Through the Madness Vol. 1 is a natural progression in their musical journey. It shows them evolving and growing while still remaining true to their roots with a combination of clever lyrics, powerful meaning, and pure country harmonies.
Through the Madness Vol 1. EP Tracklist:
What It’s Like Loving You (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Josh Kerr, Jordan Minton)
Woman You Got (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Mark Holman, Laura Veltz)
Don’t Make Her Look Dumb (Feat. Morgane Stapleton) (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Barry Dean, Luke Laird)
Grown Man Cry (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Eric Arjes, Jordan Minton)
Madness (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Jessie Jo Dillon, Zach Kale)
The Other Side (Feat. Lori McKenna) (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Josh Kerr, Lori McKenna)
Wish You The Best (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)*
Strangers (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Adam Hambrick, Jimmy Robbins)
Maddie and Tae’s new EP, ‘Through the Madness Vol. 1’ is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Maddie & Tae releases.
Through the Madness Vol 1. EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/maddie-and-tae-ep.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2022-01-28 01:06:412022-01-28 01:06:41Maddie & Tae: ‘Through the Madness Vol. 1’ – EP Review
Jordan Fletcher releases his new EP, True Stories, out now, January 28th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.
Jacksonville-born artist, Jordan Fletcher is a singer-songwriter on the rise. He is an artist you are going to want to add to your radar ASAP. Today the talented artist released his debut EP, entitled True Stories.
True to its name, the four songs are an authentic and honest approach to storytelling that country music does so well. According to Fletcher, all of his songs are autobiographical, which makes the EP even more captivating. “If I’m singing it, it’s got to be true. If you wanted a childhood video of me on VHS, this is what you would see. I’m not making this shit up or shying away from what I believe. I’m telling my story,” shares the singer in a recent press release.
The record kicks off with “Firebird,” a laidback jam. Vocally driven with thought-provoking lyrics, Fletcher sings about a car that has a lot of stories and memories wrapped up in it. The song feels both personal and innovative.
Fletcher continues the intricate vibes with “Still Those Kids.” A slower number, the track is a love song at its finest. Clearly inspired by his relationship with his now-wife, the singer takes listeners on a journey down memory lane of their relationship. He does not try to reinvent the wheel with this song but manages to create something that feels fresh, yet nostalgic.
LYRICS
Clearly inspired by love in all its glory, Fletcher’s voice shines on “I Know You Are But What Am I.” He tackles the tough theme of recognizing yourself without the one you love. Fans of songs that show true artistry will fall in love with this track; despite, the desperation it conveys.
The record culminates with another poignant song, “Rather Be Broke.” On this track, Fletcher doubles down on love. Without love, nothing else matters. Moreover, being rich in love is more important than anything else.
We truly fell in love with Fletcher’s debut EP. Each song makes you yearn for more music from the budding artist. It is refreshing to see an artist come out of the gate being unequivocal true to both their artistry and humanness.
Jordan Fletcher’s brand new EP, ‘True Stories,’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
True Stories EP Tracklist:
Firebird
Still Those Kids
I Know You Are But What Am I
Rather Be Broke
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Jordan Fletcher releases.
True Stories EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jordan-fletcher-new-ep-true-stories.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttp://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2022-01-28 01:04:402022-01-28 01:04:40Jordan Fletcher: ‘True Stories’- EP Review
Rod + Rose, comprised of Rodney Atkins and wife, Rose Falcon have officially combined their talents on their self-titled debut EP. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.
For Rod + Rose, releasing music together was a natural progression. Like Thompson Square or Joey and Rory before them, the pair are a team both on and off the stage. Married in 2013 and the parents to two sons, Rodney Atkins and Rose Falcon have joined forces as a new musical duo.
With six #1 hits under his belt including “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You,” and “Caught Up in the Country,” Atkins may be the more well-known of the pair. Yet, Falcon has had great success in her own right as both a singer and a songwriter, writing for the likes of Faith Hill and Lady A. Meanwhile, Eric Paslay’s version of her song “Friday Night” was a number one hit in 2019.
Today, January 28, the couple released their self-titled debut EP, featuring five new songs that show their strengths as a duo. Atkins brings his patented country drawl to the collection, supported by Falcon’s rich and velvety tone, their voices blending in perfect harmony.
The EP’s opening track “Being Here, Being There” tells a tale that is oh-so-relatable. “This song is about being, and having, that friend who celebrates with you during the highs and isn’t afraid to get in the trenches with you during the lows,” says Falcon in a statement. “… if you have that person you can count on to walk through life with you, it’s a game changer. When one is down, the other picks up the slack, and vice-versa. We know how lucky we are to have each other, now more than ever.”
Likewise, “Anyway” and “Put Me Back Together” tell similarly beautiful tales of enduring love, the pair celebrating the way they complement each other in the highs and lows of life. “You take me high // When I’m dropping low // And you show me places I’ve never known,” They harmonize on “Put Me Back Together.” “Even when we’re just riding // ‘Round town getting stoned // Yeah, you put me back together again.” Meanwhile, on “Anyway,” they celebrate each other’s faults and the way they love in spite of them. Here, Falcon takes the lead with Atkins providing a stunning harmony.
“Fine By Me” is a stomping country up-tempo that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on an older Little Big Town record, the pair harmonizing about country living over fiddle and steel, accentuated by a toe-tapping, hand-clapping chorus. “Look at you sitting there,” they sing. “Looking oh so fine by me.”
The EP ends with a wedding version of “Figure Out You,” a song that should be used for first dances from now to eternity, the pair cooing, “I want to spend the rest of my life trying to figure out you.” While some artists may put out wedding songs as a way to find relevance, with Rod + Rose, the offering is purely organic and you can imagine the pair singing and feeling the lyrics.
“You keep me beautifully confused // First kiss I stole I knew // I wanna spend the rest of my life trying to figure out you.”
On their first EP as a duo, Rod + Rose reveal a collection of heartfelt tracks that are sure to melt even the coldest of hearts. Their connection is palpable through their harmonies, and if that ain’t love, we don’t know what is.
Rod + Rose EP Tracklist:
Being Here Being There
Fine By Me
Put Me Back Together
Anyway
Figure Out You (Wedding Version)
Rod + Rose’s debut self-titled EP 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 and announcements about future Rod + Rose releases.
Rod + Rose EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
Brothers Osborne’s new album Skeletons Deluxe is out now, January 21st on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new record below.
Originally released in October 2020, the Brothers Osborne third album, Skeletons, featured twelve tracks of the pure southern country-rock sound that fans have come to know of the duo. With TJ’s signature raspy growl paired with John’s incredible guitar skills, their unique sound shines on Skeletons.
Including the likes of “All Night” and “I’m Not for Everyone,” the Jay Joyce-produced Skeletons was a masterpiece in its original form. Today, however, the GRAMMY-nominated duo released a deluxe version of the album, featuring three new tracks, including the highly acclaimed “Younger Me.”
Nominated for the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, “Younger Me” was inspired by TJ’s coming out in February 2021, making him the first major-label country artist to be openly gay. Written as a letter of reassurance to his younger self, the stirring ballad is one of country music’s most heartfelt tracks released in recent years.
“Younger me // Overthinking, losing sleep at night // Contemplating if it’s worth the fight,” TJ sings. “If he only knew he’d be alright // Yeah, younger me”
While “Younger Me” is arguably the most important track that the brilliant brothers have ever released, it should not completely overshadow the other two tracks released on this deluxe edition. There’s “Headstone,” a driving, guitar-driven uptempo track that reflects what the Brothers Osborne have become known for. Meanwhile, “Midnight Riders Prayer” received Willie Nelson’s personal blessing to include snippets from “On the Road Again.”
Featuring an incredible guitar solo at the halfway point, “Headstone” is sure to be a face-melter during live shows, as they extoll their own perfect imperfections, TJ proudly proclaiming “Write that on my headstone.” Meanwhile, “Midnight Riders Prayer” is an ode to the life of a touring musician. Sampling “On the Road Again” in a way that comes off completely organic, they meld Nelson’s classic rift into their own haunting chorus.
“When your night is ending // Ours is just beginning // On the road again,” They sing. “Like a band of gypsies, we roll down the highway… Brothers ‘til the end // Insisting that the world keep turning our way.”
While Skeletons was already an exemplary album, the three new tracks added to the deluxe album just make it all the more perfect.
Skeletons Deluxe Tracklist:
Lighten Up (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk)
All Night (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
AAll the Good Ones Are (TJ Osborne, Lee Miller and Craig Wiseman)
I’m Not for Everyone (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby)
Skeletons (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
Back On The Bottle (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Hayes Carll)
High Note (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard and Dustin Christensen)
Muskrat Greene (John Osborne)
Dead Man’s Curve (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Lee Miller)
Make It a Good One (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
Hatin’ Somebody (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Casey Beathard)
Old Man’s Boots (John Osborne)
Younger Me (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendell Marvel)
Brothers Osborne’s new album ‘Skeletons Deluxe’ is out now, January 21st.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Brothers Osborne announcements and releases.
Skeletons Deluxe 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.
Walker Hayes’ brand new full-length project, Country Stuff The Album featuring “Fancy Like” and “AA” is out now, January 21st on all streaming platforms. Listen below.
When Walker Hayes released his Country Stuff EP in June, he wasn’t yet “the Fancy Like guy.” In fact, the buzz had just begun about the track that would become a viral sensation, inescapable everywhere from live television performances to Applebee’s commercials. Now, Hayes is taking a step forward as an artist, releasing his full-length Country Stuff The Album today, January 21.
“I’ve been waiting so long to put out a project like this,” says the Monument recording artist in a statement. “It has everything I love from the fun of ‘Fancy Like’ to the more personal lyrics in ‘AA.’ As an artist, it’s such a unique thing to be able to share all the different versions of you in a project, and that’s really what I tried to do here.”
The album opens with “Drinking Songs,” an interesting choice for a man who’s faced his own battles with alcohol addiction. Yet, Hayes jokes about it as only he can, quipping on social media, “Who better to write a drinking song than an alcoholic?” On the breakup track, Hayes is rock bottom after a breakup, getting through the tough times supported by a drink and an array of country greats.
Interestingly, Hayes follows up his “Drinking Songs,” with “AA,” revealing the honest truths about his life and his struggles. On the mid-tempo tune, he muses, “I’m just tryna keep my daughters off the pole // And my sons out of jail // Tryna get to church so I don’t go to hell // I’m just tryna keep my wife // From figuring out // That I married up // And she married way, way down… Hey, I’m just tryna stay out of AA.”
Like “AA,” “What You Don’t Wish For” deals with the struggles Hayes has faced on his road to success. “People think I’m crazy // And sometimes I believe them,” He begins. “I ain’t the best singer in the world // But I can’t stop singing.” He dedicates the song to all “the kids with guitars looking up at the stars” with dreams of making music a career. “They say careful what you wish // But I say more // Be careful what you don’t wish for.”
Hayes shows his romantic side on songs like “Life With You” and “Make You Cry.” If you follow him on social media, it’s abundantly clear how much he loves his wife, Lainey. This is even more evident on the album’s more heartfelt tracks. “Life With You” is about how much life changes once you find your person. “I never knew that I was lonely ‘til your love // Didn’t believe in all that one and only stuff // Only thing that my heart could commit to // Was my commitment issues // Til you came into the picture like whoa // I said ‘y’all i’m finished flying solo’…” Hayes sings.“Baby all I wanna do is life with you.” Meanwhile, on “Make You Cry,” he celebrates the happy tears of life, which were probably caused by these songs. “I know I hit the right emotion,” He sings. “When your eyes fill up with ocean.”
The album also features a handful of collaborations, including “Country Stuff” with Jake Owen, “Briefcase” with Lori McKenna, and “What If We Did?” with Carly Pearce, each of which appeared on his previously-released EP. The new addition here is the re-release of “Craig,” featuring Christian group MercyMe. The song tells the story of a man whom Hayes met at church that changed his life by paying things forward and giving him a van. The inclusion of MercyMe on the choruses here adds a new layer to the song, making it even more powerful.
“Yeah I know, he sounds cool right? // Not your typical kid from Sunday school, right? // Nah he can’t walk on water // Or turn the Napa Valley red // But he just might be tight with a man that did // Now he’s not the light of the world // But I wish that mine was bright as his // Yeah he just might be tight with a man that is”
“Fancy Like” is still one of the album’s standouts, with its inescapable earworminess that we’re somehow not sick of yet. Meanwhile, Hayes continues to drop funky beats like “Fancy Like” on the likes of “U Gurl,” another rhythmic singalong track that’s sure to make the TikTokers happy.
The album ends on a high note with the stirring Carly Pearce duet “What If We Did.” The track finds the pair after a one-night-stand, musing that they may not make it long term, but what if they did? “That only happens never,” Hayes sings as they consider a possible future together, Pearce’s angelic voice adding a beautiful richness of layers to the already dreamy track.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last six months, you’ve heard and sang along to “Fancy Like.” Yet, there’s so much more to Walker Hayes, as evidenced by Country Stuff The Album. While he can produce a viral hit with a silly dance, Hayes is much deeper than just that, and while it would be easy to simply write him off as “that Fancy Like guy,” we recommend you give him the chance he deserves.
Country Stuff The Album Tracklist:
“Drinking Songs”
“AA”
“Life With You”
“U Gurl”
“DeLorean”
“Fancy Like”
“Craig” (Feat MercyMe)
“What You Don’t Wish For”
“Country Stuff” (Feat. Jake Owen)
“I Hope You Miss Me”
“Briefcase” (Feat. Lori McKenna)
“Cry”
“What If We Did” (Feat. Carly Pearce)
Walker Hayes’ brand new full-length project, ‘Country Stuff The Album’ is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Walker Hayes announcements and releases.
Country Stuff The 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.
