Ella Langley releases her debut EP, Excuse The Mess out now, May 19th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new project here.
Columbia Records/Sony Music Nashville singer-songwriter, Ella Langley released her debut EP, Excuse The Mess today. The project features eight distinctly unique songs that speak to Langley’s one-of-a-kind artistry. The record also boasts one collaboration, a song with Koe Wetzel called “That’s Why We Fight.”
“‘That’s Why We Fight’ is about one of those relationships where fighting is the thing that keeps you together. Your significant other is your favorite person to fight with. It adds a little spice and keeps things interesting. I wouldn’t recommend a relationship like this, but we’ve all had one. I’ve been a fan of Koe for a long time, and it was really cool he jammed on it,” shared Langley in a recent press release.
Go listen to the collaboration and the other seven songs now!
Excuse The Mess EP Tracklist:
Make Me Wanna Smoke
Excuse the Mess
Could’ve Been Her
That’s Why We Fight (feat. Koe Wetzel)
Country Boy’s Dream Girl
Hell Of A Man
Where You Left It
Don’t We All
Ella Langley’s debut EP, ‘Excuse The Mess’ 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 Ella Langley releases.
Excuse The Mess 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ella-langley-ep.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2023-05-19 02:20:032023-05-19 02:20:03Here is Ella Langley’s Debut EP ‘Excuse The Mess’
Bailey Zimmerman shares his debut album, Religiously. The Album, officially out now, May 12th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
Since exploding onto the music scene, Bailey Zimmerman has been lauded as one of country music’s newest and most exciting future superstars. The Warner Music Nashville/Elektra recording artist’s debut album, Religiously. The Album., is out now and is set to prove why.
The Louisville, IL native co-wrote 11 of the album’s 16 tracks as a follow up to his debut project, 2022’s EP Leave the Light On. With “Fall in Love” and “Rock and a Hard Place” already topping the US Country Airplay chart, it’s Zimmerman’s unique brand of radio-ready country rock that is continuing to win over new fans.
With a weathered voice, a growl full of emotion, and stories way beyond his age, the talented singer-songwriter takes listeners on a journey through heartbreak, heartache, and healing on much of Religiously, those themes permeating their way through a multitude of tracks including the single-worthy titular track. Here, he grapples with the grief of a relationship ending, noting that she seems happy, just not with him. “You look happy I guess, got the life that you wanted,” he growls, voice breaking with emotion. “But it ain’t with me.”
For Zimmerman, it’s clear from Religiously that he’s had his heart broken. “From 18 to 20, I was just kind of numb all the time,” he reveals. “Now I’ve got emotion back. I can feel things. Writing music has really helped me get out of that state.”
Those emotions weave their way through songs like “Fix’N to Break,” “Fadeaway,” “Warzone,” “Get to Gettin’ Gone,” “Chase Her,” and the album’s closing track, “Is This Really Over?” Each of these find him in relationship limbo, wondering where things stand and if it’s time to call it quits or keep fighting. “Fix’N to Break” opens almost angelically before transitioning into a sparse, country ballad that’s an immediate standout of the album, Zimmerman comparing his relationship to a home that’s falling apart.
Likewise, “Warzone” uses solid metaphors in its lyrics to compare a relationship to a battlefield, the background music fraught with darkness. On the tuned down guitar-heavy track, he sings about “living in a warzone with a heart full of bullet holes and boarded up windows.” Alternatively, “Is This Really Over?” features a more lush and airy arrangement despite tackling the end of a relationship. It’s an interesting contradiction of lyrics versus melody as he could easily be singing about drinking a margarita on the beach, but is instead asking “Is this really over? // ’Cause I need some closure // And it’s 10 a.m. and I’m still gettin’ sober // Just call it a bad night,” He coos, showing a different side of his voice. “Don’t call it the last time // I feel that goodbye gettin’ closer and closer // Is this really over?”
“Forget About You” finds him admitting that “getting over you feels so wrong,” while “Where It Ends” finds him channeling his late 90’s alternative rock side, his voice sounding like it would’ve fit in perfectly in a decade where he wasn’t even born yet. Meanwhile, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a daring Johnny Cash cover. On the homage to the man in black, Zimmerman manages to stay true to the hand-clapping and swampy vibe of the original, adding a bit of his own take on the classic that could easily be released today.
“Forget About You” and “Pain Won’t Last” find him trying to move on from his heartbreak in an almost anthemic way, assuring himself and listeners that things are bound to get better, no matter how bleak things may seem. “You’re on the ground with scars from your past,” he proclaims on the latter. “You might be hurting now but the pain won’t last.”
“Found Your Love” is a simple and beautiful ode to falling in love in a special way, a bright spot amongst the heartbreak on the album. It’s the kind of simple ballad that would make a perfect wedding song or TikTok anniversary montage. With female background vocals and Jenee Fleenor’s haunting fiddle, it’s a special moment on the album, Zimmerman proclaiming, “I was a reckless child, a dead-end mile, living my life on the run… Never thought I’d hang it up, ’til I found your love.”
In many ways, Bailey Zimmerman’s Religiously. The Album. takes listeners through the five stages of grief after the ending of a relationship. Through the LP’s sixteen songs, there’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. He does this with the growl of a rock star mixed with the heart of a country storyteller.
Religiously. The Album Track List:
Religiously
Warzone
Fix’n to Break
Forest About You
Chase Her
Fall in Love
You Don’t Want That Smoke
Found Your Love
Rock and a Hard Place
Other Side of Lettin’ Go
Pain Won’t Last
Where It Ends
God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Fadeaway
Get to Gettin’ Gone
Is This Really Over?
Country Swag Picks:
Fix’N to Break
Religiously
Warzone
Found Your Love
Pain Won’t Last
Bailey Zimmerman’s debut album, ‘Religiously. The Album’ 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 Bailey Zimmerman releases.
Religiously. The Album is 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/2023/05/bailey-zimmerman-album.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2023-05-12 00:04:112023-05-12 00:04:11Bailey Zimmerman: ‘Religiously. The Album’ Album Review
Parker McCollum shares his new album, Never Enough, officially out now, May 12th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
Texas native Parker McCollum is ready to brush off any mentions of the sophomore slump with his second album, Never Enough, out now. On the follow up to 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy, McCollum enlisted Jon Randall (Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley) to produce the project, which features fifteen new songs, all but one co-written by the rising superstar.
Co-writers on the project include the likes of Randy Rogers, Brett James, Ryan Beavers, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Ashley Gorley, and many other heavy hitters. By pairing Texan honesty with brilliant lyrics and traditional country instrumentation, the MCA Nashville artist further flexes his musical muscles on Never Enough.
Throughout the LP, McCollum explores the classic themes of love and heartache through the lens of a country purist that is often lacking in today’s modern scene. “What I do best is write songs from a very real place and sing country music, but also be very ‘me’ and not try to sound like someone else,” He says in a statement. “We definitely did that on this record and every one of the 15 songs sounds different.”
The album opens with “Hurricane,” a song that blows in to set the stage for the album, roaring in with electric guitars and catchy lyrics. Here, McCollum likens a woman to a storm, blowing into a man’s life and leaving it in shambles, proclaiming, “Someday she’s gonna get her name on a hurricane.”
Similarly, “Burn It Down” sounds like a surefire hit, with its dark lyrics and musicality, as he stands in the ashes of a relationship that has gone up in flames. Co-penned with the Love Junkies, the track came from McCollum simply repeating the words “burn it down.” “Some days are like that, where the melody and the idea for the song is so good and everybody is on the same page,” he says. “If you’re talking about moving the needle in my career, ‘Burn It Down’ is probably going to be the song.”
“Handle On You” has already moved the needle as one of the singer-songwriter’s biggest hits to date and his third number one. While he admits to being shocked the song was radio worthy, he was thrilled for its success. “That song is a nod to some of the great records I grew up with,” McCollum reveals. “A lot of radio songs nowadays are kind of bubble-gummy. I don’t have any problem with pop-country, but I’d like to hear a little more classic country too.”
Interestingly, one of the album’s most poignant moments comes in the form of “Things I Never Told You,” the sole song not co-written by McCollum. On the stirring, piano-driven ballad, he shows his vulnerable side with an introspective ode to his mother. While he may not have written the song, he immediately felt connected to its stunning lyrics and message. “When I moved away from home // I didn’t realize how much I’d miss ya,” he sings. “A phone call don’t take the place // Of your smilin’ face cooking in that kitchen.”
Another poignant moment comes during “Lessons from an Old Man,” which is a powerful country ballad about the things a young boy can learn from an older man in his life. While it’s unclear exactly who McCollum is referencing on the sweet track, it’s likely about a grandfather or grandfatherly figure who helped to shape him into the man he is today, as he sings about the “lessons from an old man” that “made a young man wise.”
“It ain’t all about money // But money is nice // There’s nothing wrong with whiskey // Just keep Sundays dry,” He sings introspectively. “There’s making a living and there’s making a life”
McCollum continues to show his softer side on songs like “Best I Never Had,” “Stoned,” “Tails I Do” and “Tough People Do.” While “Best” finds him wondering about what could’ve been, “Tough” has him reassuring his love that they’ll get through the tough times together. Meanwhile, both “Stoned” and the barstool ballad, “Tails I Lose” find him drowning his sorrows in different ways.
“I cry when it’s raining // I cry when it’s dark // I feel like the whole world won’t ever understand my heart,” He drawls of a broken relationship that has broken him on “Stoned.” “That’s the hardest part of being alone, that’s why I stay stoned.”
“Too Tight This Time” is truly a marvel, written in one shot with no edits. The song is simple and sparse, featuring hints of female background vocals. McCollum shares that it’s his favorite track on the LP. “I said, ‘Let’s pour this thing out and whatever it is in 15 minutes, that’s what it’s going to be forever.’ I love to write songs like that and live with the end result. This one was easy to do because the melody was so good,” he says. “The line ‘There must be something broken inside this lonely man’ just hits so hard.”
Likewise, “Have Your Heart Again” is a simple piano-led track that allows him to flex his vocal cords. Here, he longs for someone to take him back, while “Don’t Blame Me” is a catchy tune where he’ll accept blame for a lot, but not everything. “You can swear it’s all my fault // And I won’t blame you if you do // But don’t blame me,” He sings. “Don’t blame me // Don’t blame me for loving you.” Lastly, the album concludes with “Wheel,” a celebratory romp that finds McCollum challenging someone to make him stop rolling. “Good luck slowing me down.”
On Never Enough, Parker McCollum makes a statement that he’s a solid songwriter and artist who’s here to stay. “Sometimes I wish I didn’t care so much because everything would be easier. Hopefully one day people will look back at what I’ve done in country music and think it was honest and good for the genre,” He says. “This album may be called Never Enough, but if they see that what I did was real, that’ll be enough for me.”
Never Enough Track List:
Hurricane (Parker McCollum, David Lee Murphy, Jon Randall, Randy Rogers)
Best I Never Had (Parker McCollum, Will Bundy, Brett James)
Things I Never Told You (Monty Criswell, Lynn Hutton, Taylor Phillips)
Burn It Down (Parker McCollum, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose)
Stoned (Parker McCollum, Mark Holman, Brett James)
Handle On You (Parker McCollum, Monty Criswell)
Lessons From An Old Man (Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Lee Miller, Jon Randall, Liz Rose)
Tough People Do (Parker McCollum, Brett James, Jon Randall)
Never Enough is 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/2023/05/parker-mccollum-album.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2023-05-12 00:02:512023-05-12 00:02:51Parker McCollum: ‘Never Enough’ Album Review
George Birge shares his debut album, Mind On You, officially out now, May 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.
RECORDS Nashville recording artist George Birge has officially released his debut album. With ten brand new songs, his debut, Mind On You is an incredible first outing for the rising artist. Birge co-wrote all, but one song on the debut.
“This album has been a lifetime in the making. From the experiences and people that have influenced me, to finding my voice and knowing who I am, I couldn’t be prouder of this collection of songs,” shares Birge in a recent press release. “I can’t wait to share them with everyone that has helped me get here.”
Listen to the new album below!
Mind On You Track List:
Forever And A Day (George Birge, Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn)
Mind On You (George Birge, Colt Ford, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler)
Whiskey Side (George Birge, Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, Matt Stell)
Chasin’ A Feeling (George Birge, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn)
Cowboys Talkin’ (George Birge, Josh Mirenda, Gary Garris)
Didn’t Think I’d Miss (George Birge, Michael Tyler, Ben Stennis)
You Were Mine (George Birge, Chris Bandi, Jaron Boyer)
Reason To Go (Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman)
Mind On You is 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/2023/05/george-birge-album.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2023-05-12 00:01:172023-05-12 00:01:17Here is George Birge’s Debut Album ‘Mind On You’
Justin Moore shares his new album, Stray Dog, officially out now, May 5th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
When it comes to country artists who consistently release solid albums but tend to fly under the radar, Justin Moore is at the top of that list. The modern traditionalist is back with Stray Dog, the follow up to 2021’s Straight Outta the Country, featuring eight new tracks. Moore co-wrote all but one, the already-released duet with Priscilla Block, “You, Me, and Whiskey.”
Opening with the rocking “Everybody Get Along,” Moore partners with Riley Green on the tune dedicated to the idea of unity between people. There’s nothing preachy here, but the message is clear: We’re all different but the same. We may have different opinions, but we can all get along, despite our differences.
“I like this and I like that // But when it comes down to it // We got each other’s backs // In a world where all we do is fight and fuss and disagree // Why can’t everybody get along like you and me?”
The other duet on the album is the soulful and aforementioned “You, Me, and Whiskey,” which finds Moore and Block trading verses about rekindling a relationship over a few too many drinks. On the sexy duet, Block is the perfect partner for Moore, their voices blending as smoothly as a good glass of whiskey. “I can’t find this me in a red wine glass,” She drawls, as he adds, “Yeah and I can’t find it in a beer…Ain’t nothin’ as sweet// ain’t nothin’ as strong // As you, me, and whiskey all night long.”
Alcohol continues to play a role on “That Wasn’t Jack,” a mid-tempo that finds Moore blaming drunk dials and lonely moments on himself, instead of the drinks, while “Rich or Drunk Trying” is a tongue-in-cheek look at the search for a “sugar mama.” Lyrically, it finds Moore looking for love in all the rich places, searching for a CEO or another well-off woman to spend his time with.
“Better Slow” is an immediate standout, about enjoying life while you still have time because you may not always have the time. Here, Moore croons about how “You just never know…Some things are better slow.” Meanwhile, “With a Woman You Love” hit #1 on Billboard’s US Country airplay chart, and with good reason. The lead single from this record is one of Moore’s strongest, most poignant offerings to date.
Lastly, the LP’s autobiographical, title track, “Stray Dogs,” finds the Valory recording artist unapologetically himself. It’s a triumphant ode to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, but in the end, is true to themselves. “I’ve never just gone along with the crowd,” Moore says in a statement. “I’ve always tried to follow my heart and let the chips fall where they may, and I’m really proud of that.”
On his new album, Stray Dog, Justin Moore continues to walk the line between traditional and modern country. While he may sometimes feel like an outsider, songs like “Better Slow,” “Everybody Get Along,” and “With a Woman You Love” continue to prove why he’s a country mainstay.
Stray Dog Track List:
Everybody Get Along feat. Riley Green (Justin Moore, David Lee Murphy, Jeremy Stover)
That Wasn’t Jack (Justin Moore, David Lee Murphy, Chris Stevens, Jeremy Stover)
With A Woman You Love (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
Better Slow (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
Stray Dogs (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
Country on It (Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Paul DiGiovanni, Jeremy Stover)
Stray Dog is 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/2023/04/justin-moore-stray-dog.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2023-05-08 15:29:292023-05-08 15:29:29Justin Moore: ‘Stray Dog’ Album Review
Megan Moroney’s major-label debut album, Lucky is officially out now, May 5th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
Since the release of 2022’s “Tennessee Orange,” Megan Moroney has been one of Nashville’s most buzzed about new talents. Today, the Sony Music Nashville/ Columbia Records’ recording artist released her debut album, Lucky, a compelling mix of lyrical prowess, infectious melodies, and traditional country twang.
As the follow up to her EP, Pistol Made of Roses, the Lucky LP is the next step for the Georgia native. Produced by Kristian Bush of Sugarland, the album allows her to flex her impressive songwriting skills, co-writing on each of the project’s thirteen tracks.
”After we wrote the title track ‘Lucky,’ I knew I wanted it to be the name of my debut album,” she explained in a press release. “If you know anything about me and my story, a lot of things (both good and bad) happened to get me to where I am today, and I just feel very lucky.”
From the first listen of the album, it’s glaringly apparent why she chose “Lucky” as the album’s title, as the track is truly an immediate standout. It’s a catchy, two-stepping, hand-clapping country tune about not being afraid to make bad decisions with an ex while drunk. However, the twist here is that it’s him who’s the lucky one, as she’s not afraid to give in when inebriated.
“Cause me my phone and the neon’s buzzin’ // Three four in and I’m missin’ your lovin’,” She sings. “We said naw never again// And we said we’d be better as friends // But come over and don’t overthink it // Tonight you’re lucky I’m drinkin.”
Throughout the album, most of the tracks center around relationship issues, broken hearts, and losing yourself in a relationship, but lyrically, Moroney does this differently than most. There’s the heartwrenching “Girl in the Mirror,” which finds her grappling with the fact that she no longer recognizes herself in the light of a relationship that may not be the best. “She loves the boy more than the girl in the mirror,” She sings on one of the album’s most poignant lyrics.
She’s more savage on “Sleep On My Side,” which has her tangled up with a Mr. Wrong, declaring that his wandering eye makes him not-so-right for her. “I sleep on my side and you sleep with everyone,” She muses. Likewise, the twangy “Georgia Girl” deals with a two-timer, as she mentions all of her man’s other women by the states they’re from.
“Kansas Anymore” is a sparse breakup ballad that finds her realizing that a relationship has ended with a play on the old adage that they’re “not in Kansas anymore,” while “Mustang on the Me” finds her wondering which will break down first as she literally and figuratively leaves an ex in the rearview mirror.
One of the album’s clear standouts is “Why Johnny,” which finds her musically chatting with June Carter Cash on her relationship with notorious womanizer, Johnny Cash. On the stripped ballad, she muses, “I think I’ve got a Johnny of my own,” asking the elder woman “What made you wanna make it work?” despite a man drowning himself in “booze and pills and perfume smells.”
It’s not all heartbreak on Lucky, as the album’s opener, “I’m Not Pretty,” finds the singer-songwriter playfully musing about all the untrue things her ex’s new flame may say about her.
“Somewhere out there my ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend’s scrolling through my Instagram // Tearing me down, passing the phone around like there’s nothing better to talk about // Zooming out, Zooming in, overanalyzin’ // Like the queen of the mean girls’ committee // But hey whatever helps // Keep on telling yourself I’m not pretty.”
“Another on the Way” is a sassy ode to moving on, as there’s always another man, and another drink, just around the corner, while “Traitor Joe” is a classic story song that has Moroney letting Joe know his girlfriend is cheating on him.
“Tennessee Orange” is an interesting juxtaposition of lyrics versus music as the instrumentation sounds downtrodden and dark, which has her proclaiming her love for her man through wearing his team’s, and her family’s rival’s, colors. “So ‘Tennessee Orange’ is about me being a Georgia girl. I was born and raised in Georgia and I graduated from the University of Georgia. And, I moved to Nashville for music and I met and fell for a Tennessee boy. So, this is kinda my version of a love song,” Megan explains.
The album ends with the lush and almost ethereal “Sad Songs for Sad People” which finds Moroney confused over writing a love song when she tends to thrive on the writing about broken hearts.
“I write sad songs for sad people // Something ’bout the pain // I want every word to hurt like blue eyes crying in the rain,” She proclaims. “They say do what you love and that’s just what I do // I write sad songs for sad people // But I wrote this love song for you.”
On Lucky, Megan Moroney continues to prove why she’s one of country music’s fastest rising stars. With a well-balanced mix of brilliant lyrics, classic country instrumentation and pop sensibilities, she toes the line perfectly in the vein of Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, and even early Taylor Swift.
Lucky Track List:
“I’m Not Pretty”
“Lucky”
“Tennessee Orange”
“Kansas Anymore”
“Girl In The Mirror”
“Another On The Way”
“Traitor Joe”
“Why Johnny”
“God Plays A Gibson”
“Georgia Girl”
“Sleep On My Side”
“Mustang Or Me”
“Sad Songs For Sad People”
Country Swag Picks:
Lucky
Girl in the Mirror
Why Johnny
I’m Not Pretty
Tennessee Orange
Megan Moroney’s debut album, ‘Lucky’ 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 future Megan Moroney releases.
The singer-songwriter will hit the stage at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom on September 20.
Lucky is 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/2023/04/megan-moroney-lucky-album.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2023-05-05 00:02:192023-05-05 00:02:19Megan Moroney: ‘Lucky’ Debut Album Review
Justin Moore shares his new album, Stray Dog, officially out now, May 5th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.
With his seventh studio album, singer-songwriter, Justin Moore is delivering eight songs that fully speak to his identity as a country music mainstay. Featuring collaborations with artists like Riley Green and Priscilla Block, Moore knows exactly what kind of music his fans want to hear. The singer is an incredible representation of today’s version of traditional country music.
“A long time ago, I decided I wasn’t going to play games or pursue things that didn’t make me happy; perhaps that’s what made me a bit of an outsider in this industry, but it’s also what allows me to go to bed each night feeling good about what I’m doing,” Moore shared in a recent press release, adding, “I’ve never just gone along with the crowd,” he says of the song. “I’ve always tried to follow my heart and let the chips fall where they may, and I’m really proud of that.”
Listen to the brand-new record below, and be on the lookout for our full review.
Stray Dog Track List:
Everybody Get Along feat. Riley Green (Justin Moore, David Lee Murphy, Jeremy Stover)
That Wasn’t Jack (Justin Moore, David Lee Murphy, Chris Stevens, Jeremy Stover)
With A Woman You Love (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
Better Slow (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
Stray Dogs (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
Country on It (Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Paul DiGiovanni, Jeremy Stover)
Stray Dog is 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/2023/04/justin-moore-stray-dog.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2023-05-05 00:00:532023-05-05 00:00:53Here is Justin Moore’s New Album ‘Stray Dog’
Kip Moore releases his new album, Damn Love, officially out now, April 28th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
With arguably country music’s most unique and recognizable voice, Kip Moore is back with his fifth studio album, Damn Love. Throughout the project, the gravel-voiced singer-songwriter takes listeners on a journey through finding love as a traveling musician, enjoying the simpler things in life but yet unable to escape the trappings of the road.
Interestingly, Damn Love is less country-leaning than we’re used to from Moore, who experiments with 80’s synths, pop beats and Springsteen-esque rock hints throughout the LP. Produced by Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three, the new project allows Moore to shine through as a vocalist, the varied instrumentation always coming in second to the singer’s distinct growl and lyrical prowess.
“I’ve always had a nomadic spirit, at the core of me that’s what I am, and it’s a beautiful life I lead—I don’t take that for granted,” Moore says of the project. “But I still crave that companionship down deep in my DNA, and that’s where Damn Love comes from. There’s a reason love and relationships have been written about so much—and why they continue to get written about. Because at the core of us, that’s what we desire the most.”
On the follow up to 2020’s Wild World, the acclaimed singer-songwriter co-wrote 12 of the 13 tracks, the only exception being the title track. That doesn’t mean that the track is any less Moore, as it opens the album with a bang, offering a catchy ode to the crazy intricacies of love. It’s immediately clear that Moore’s voice is the star of the show here, as the production allows him to shine. Over twinkling pianos and a sing-songy melody, he proclaims: Oh, no you can’t tell it nothin’ // Oh, it’s that strong kinda somethin’ // For the bees, for the birds // No surprise, it’s a four letter word // It’ll heal, it’ll kill, it’ll hurt // I hope you’re tough Damn love.
There’s a lot of (damn) love on Damn Love, with songs like “The Guitar Slinger” and “Another Night in Knoxville” seeming especially poignant. On the latter, Moore focuses on life on the road and the juxtaposition between the man on and off the stage, ending poetically with a blistering guitar solo. Likewise, “Another Night in Knoxville” finds him falling in love from the stage, watching as someone strolls in and has a drink night after night, never staying for more than a song or two.
“Sometimes She Stays” is an immediate standout, a sparse ballad where Moore’s voice and the lyrics are the star. Here, the singer-songwriter finds himself longing for a one night stand to become much more. “But sometimes she stays, And asks you what you’re doing that day,” he muses. “And where you keep the coffee and an old sweatshirt, And all your walls start falling for her And one night turns into every day …[…] Cause sometimes she stays.”
Another immediate star here is “One Heartbeat,” which features Ashley McBryde. The song is perfect for the pair, their voices blending effortlessly on the smooth duet. This track further exemplifies why McBryde is one of the genre’s most sought after duet partners, her voice soaring aside Moore’s through the chorus.
While most of the songs focus on love in different stages, there’s also the raucous and jubilant celebration of a favorite haunt in “Kinda Bar.” While this tune is a celebration of time spent there, the album’s closer, “Micky’s Bar,” takes a different approach. Here, Moore shares the stories of all the lonely and broken regulars who spend their time at Micky’s, a stark and powerful contrast to “Kinda Bar.”
On the earwormy “Some Things” and the guitar ballad, “Mr. Simple,” Moore celebrates those simple things in life that make it great. “Been around long enough to know,” He proclaims. “Some things don’t ever get old.”
“Heart on Fire” is a catchy moment with a toe-tapping melody, while “Peace and Love” is the most 80’s inspired track on the record, synth-infused beats and melodic keyboards celebrating the person who brings Moore the most peace in this crazy world. “Neon Blue” also allows the Georgia native to stretch himself vocally, showing a different side to his voice with an almost theatrical flair.
On Damn Love, Kip Moore experiments with different sounds, both vocally and musically as he tells the story of love and a country music man. It allows him to stretch himself as an artist while remaining true to what makes him unique, and Damn Love is indeed damn good.
Damn Love Track List:
Damn Love (Jason Gantt, Jaren Johnston, James McNair)
Kinda Bar (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
Neon Blue (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Jaren Johnston)
The Guitar Slinger (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
Heart On Fire (Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston)
Another Night In Knoxville (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
Silver And Gold (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Chris DeStefano)
Peace & Love (Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston)
Sometimes She Stays** (Kip Moore, Kenton Bryant)
Some Things (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
One Heartbeat (Featuring Ashley McBryde; Kip Moore)
Mr. Simple (Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston)
Micky’s Bar (Kip Moore, Dan Couch)
Country Swag Picks:
One Heartbeat
Damn Love
Sometimes She Stays
Some Things
Kip Moore’s new album, ‘Damn Love’ 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 Kip Moore releases.
Damn Love is 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/2023/04/Kip-Moore-3.jpg6401107Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2023-05-03 15:49:032023-05-03 15:49:03Kip Moore: ‘Damn Love’ Album Review
Cole Swindell’s brand new deluxe album, Stereotype Broken, is out now, April 28th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below and check out our full review.
About a year after releasing his fourth studio album, ‘Stereotype’, Cole Swindell is sharing four more songs on the deluxe version, ‘Stereotype Broken’.
The project kicks off with “Sad Ass Country Song”. Written by Swindell, Josh Miller, Matt Dragstrem, and Joel Hutsell, (who is the singer-songwriter’s good friend and bandmate), will take you right in the thick of a sad country music song while the singer is trying to get over a failed relationship. Starting off with an epic pedal steel guitar solo, Swindell makes references to not only the classics, he also wishes legends Keith Whitley, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings were with him as they’ve been through similar heartbreak situations. It’s such a unique twist on a heartbreak song that hasn’t been done before. It certainly shows Swindell’s talent and shows off his drive to put his own spin on things.
“I’m bluer than that neon up on the wall\ Drownin’ my sorrows in grain alcohol // Everywhere I show up, I bring em’ all down // Like a pedal steel follows me around // I’d be better off the jukebox // Then here on this stool top // ‘Cause girl, ever since you’ve been gone // I’m a walkin’, talkin’, honky-tonkin’, sad ass country song”
Next up is “Broken”.At first glance, you may think it is going to be a breakup song. However, it’s quite the opposite. Written by Swindell, Hillary Lindsey, Chris LaCorte, and Cole Taylor, this songshares a great message, being our hearts aren’t meant to be broken. They are meant to be loved. The Georgia native does a great job ofreassuring the audience someone is out there to bring us up, not down.
“Wasn’t meant to be broken // Wasn’t meant to be in pieces // It was made to be loved // Done by someone who’ll never leave it”
The third track is the previously released track “Drinkaby”. In a recent press release, Swindell shared that he has envisioned this song as a show opener and that’s exactly what it should be. Written by Hunter Phelps, Jon Pardi, Jordan Schmidt, and Hardy, this is one of the most upbeat breakup songs we’ve heard. The track is about heading down to the bar and enjoying all the drinks including whiskey, tequila, bourbon, and more to get over a broken heart. Intertwining childhood memories with heartache, this track is for sure to climb the charts quickly.
“Hush little cowboy, don’t you cry // Bartender’s got you some whiskey on ice // And if that whiskey ain’t a big enough pour // Drink another and another ’til you lay down on the floor // Come on // This is my drinkaby”
The final bonus track is “She Had Me At Heads Carolina – Remix”. You may be asking yourself how could Swindell make this number one song even better? By adding Jo Dee Messina, the original artist of the 1996 hit “Heads Carolina, Tails California”, to the track is how. Swindell and Messina’s voices blend together perfectly and Messina’s solos certainly show why the original song is not only a classic, but continues to be a favorite.
Swindell has a busy summer and fall planned. Starting this month, he is joining Thomas Rhett on the road for the Home Team Tour 23. Then in October will headline the 12 Tour where he is hitting 12 cities and will play 12 different sets. Nate Smith, Conner Smith and Avery Anna will be joining him and that will certainly be a show to see!
Stereotype is filled with so many incredible songs, it only made sense to release the deluxe version. You can tell Swindell put a lot of effort into this album and wanted to show his fans a more vulnerable side to him while also staying true to who he is as an artist.
Damn Love Track List:
Sad Ass Country Song
Broken
Drinkaby
Stereotype
Every Beer
Never Say Never (with Lainey Wilson)
She Had Me at Heads Carolina
Sayin’ You Love Me
I’m Gonna Let Her
Down to the Bar (featuring Hardy)
How Is She
Miss Wherever
Single Saturday Night
Some Habits
Girls Go Crazy
Walk on Whiskey
She Had Me at Heads Carolina (Remix)
Cole Swindell releases his deluxe album, ‘Stereotype Broken,’ 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 Cole Swindell releases.
Stereotype Broken is 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.
Nate Smith makes his debut with his self-titled deluxe album, officially out now, April 28th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.
With a platinum #1 single already under his belt, Sony Music Nashville’s Nate Smith released his debut album today, a hefty deluxe collection of 26 new songs. On his self-titled offering, the golden voiced singer-songwriter offers a poignant mix of love lost, love found, and loving life.
“It has been so much fun making this album, and I really believe in every one of these songs,” Smith revealed in a statement. “Releasing an album has always been a goal of mine, but at the end of the day it’s really not about me. It’s about being able to reach other people with music that means something.”
“If I could sum everything up in one word, it’s hope,” he continues. “We all go through things, we really do. But I truly believe the world is trying to bend in your best interest. I really believe that with my whole heart.”
Hope weaves its way throughout the musical journey, which traverses sounds and styles over its initial 20 tracks and the 6 new additions on the deluxe version. Of the previously-released tracks, there’s “Whiskey On You,” Smith’s biggest song to date and “Wreckage,” one of the best country ballads in recent memory. On the latter, he celebrates someone who loves him for all that he is, baggage and all. “I’m a little damaged, but damn you saw the good // When everyone saw baggage, you loved when no one could // Laying in this bed beside you, I don’t have to hide away,” He sings. “You see all the wreckage, and it wrecks me that you stay.”
Like “Wreckage,” Smith owns his broken and celebrates love on songs like “You Ain’t Been in Love,” the stunning “I Found You,” and the incredibly moving “I Don’t Wanna Go to Heaven.” On “I Found You,” he’s wondering about the what-ifs of life and where he’d be if he never found her, while “Heaven” is a slow ballad about life being beautiful here on Earth.
“I don’t wanna go to heaven // When heaven’s right here lying next to me // I count every kiss and every blessing // As the only proof I’ll ever need // I don’t wanna go to heaven // When heaven’s right here lying next to me.”
There’s love lost on the album, weaving its way through songs like the grooving “You Only Want Me When I’m Drunk” and “Back At It Again,” finding him caught up with someone he shouldn’t.
“But I’m back at it again // Two drinks pulling you in // Getting caught up in your eyes // One more one last time// It’s crazy how one kiss from your lips can hit undo // On all that getting over you // Just when I think I’m moving on from square one // I’m back at it again”
Thematically, the album’s opening track, “If I Could Stop Loving You,” is similar to its clever take on moving on from a broken heart. As an album opener, it’s absolutely perfect. It starts with minimal instrumentation and vocals, but then builds to a musical roar with a radio-ready hook that immediately invites listeners in and implores them to keep listening.
There are fun songs here, including the summer-ready “One Good Girl,” the pop-leaning “Bad Memory,” and “Alright, Alright, Alright,” a subtle nod to Matthew McConaughey’s most famous catchphrase as he tries to turn someone’s frown upside down. Additionally, “LFG” is the most straightforward party song here, but the celebration of the simpler things in life is sure to be a crowd-pleaser on both radio and at live shows.
Smith is also a gentleman at heart, as reflected on songs like “Better Boy” and “You Shouldn’t Have To.” On both tracks, he’s sure to treat his woman right and warns others to do the same. “Never let her think somewhere out there,” He sings, “There’s a better boy.”
Likewise, both “Oil Spot” and “Raised Up” are nostalgic, with the first celebrating all of the special moments that happen in a truck, ranging from car trips to bringing a baby home from the hospital. Meanwhile, “Raised Up” has him reflecting back on the things that he grew up on, bringing him back to the basics.
“The day we wrote it, I had to leave the room because I was tearing up,” Smith says of “Raised Up.” “The song talks about ‘Any time I lose my way, I turn the way I was raised up,’ and for me, whenever I’m lost or feeling alone, I’ve got God.’ That has really helped me, but it can be whatever somebody needs. It could be thinking about something your grandma said one time you now hold on to or the phrase you have tattooed on your arm. It’s however you find your way back home. I’m all for that.”
While Smith’s album was originally planned for a February release, it was pushed back to late April to pair with Smith’s packed touring schedule. During that time, the singer-songwriter added six new tracks to the debut, creating a jam-packed deluxe edition. The addition kicks off with “World on Fire,” another radio-ready anthem dedicated to someone who turned Smith’s world upside down, in the best, and then worst, ways possible.
Meanwhile, much of the deluxe section is punctuated with clever lyrics, including on “What An Angel Ain’t,” “Good By Now,” and “I Don’t Miss You.” The latter continues to exemplify why Smith is one of country’s most incredible new vocalists as he flips the lyrics to tell the tale of missing someone. “And this world don’t turn, the sky ain’t blue, the sun don’t shine, the stars don’t shoot,” He sings. “People don’t lie, girl, If that was the truth, Then I don’t miss you.”
The deluxe portion of the albums conclude with “Love Is Blind,” a sparse and twangy celebration of love without question, very similar to “Wreckage” and “I Found You.” While the California native knows he’s damaged, he’s endlessly thankful to the one who loves him despite his flaws. “I ain’t that patient, I ain’t that kind // Little bit crazy, most of my life,” He admits. “Girl, you saved me, I don’t know why // But I thank God that your love is blind.”
On his debut album, Nate Smith shows listeners why he’s one of country music’s fastest-rising stars. With 26 tracks dedicated to all of the good things in life, love, brokenness, hope, and more, the golden-voiced star is clearly just getting started.
Nate Smith Track List:
If I Could Stop Loving You (Jason Massey/Matt Rogers/Justin Wilson)
Alright, Alright, Alright (Joey Hendricks/Jessie Jo Dillon/Daniel Ross)
One Good Girl (Nate Smith/Lindsay Rimes/Jonathan Singleton)
Back At It Again (Trannie Anderson/Adam Doleac/Jason Massey)
You Ain’t Been In Love (Nate Smith/Zach Abend/Andy Albert/Blake Pendergrass)
Better Boy (Michael Hardy/Taylor Phillips)
You Only Want Me When You’re Drunk (Nate Smith/Lindsay Rimes/Seth Alley)
Bad Memory (Nate Smith/James McNair/Lindsay Rimes/Emily Weisband)
Nate Smith is 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.
