First Impression Archives

BRELAND: ‘Cross Country’ – Debut Album Review

September 9, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

BRELAND’s brand new debut album, Cross Country is out now, September 9th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

On his new album, Cross Country, Breland continues to stretch the limits of country music, offering his special blend of country, hip hop, Gospel, and pop. Throughout his Atlantic Records debut, the singer weaves his unique upbringing over fourteen tracks that enlist some of country’s biggest names. Collaborations here include Ingrid Andress, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, Keith Urban, and Mickey Guyton.

For the New Jersey native, Cross Country is as much of an official introduction to the genre as it is a glaring affirmation that he’s right where he belongs. On the eclectic collection, he flexes genres, effortlessly bending the rules in the best ways possible.

While Breland could easily launch the album with a more traditional country-leaning song, he sets the tone for the collection with the Andress duet, a breezy ode to friendship that has the most glorious hints of the Bill Withers’ classic, “Lean On Me.” Unlike most male-female duets, “Here For It” isn’t one about romance, but instead the best kind of platonic love. The pair trade verses on the song, riffing “Anytime you need a friendly pick me up, I’ll be waiting right outside // You know I’m here for it.”

Collaborations are definitely a high point of the album, including the hand-raising, foot-stomping Gospel jubilance that is “Praise the Lord.” Here, Breland joins forces with Thomas Rhett as the duo celebrates the things in life they’re most thankful for.

“Praise the Lord for southern women, Hemi engines, crispy chicken // Praise the Lord for east Atlanta, Country Grammar, and my nana // Praise the Lord that I got everything I want and need and more // I might turn up on Saturday but first thing Sunday morn’ // I praise the Lord”

Other collabs here include “Told You I Could Drink,” with Lady A and “Throw It Back” with Keith Urban. While the former is a soulful and radio-ready ode to drowning one’s sorrows over lost love, the latter is one of the most unique tracks on the album, melding a rap verse with Urban’s classic guitar sounds.

On the Lady A duet, Breland seamlessly becomes the fourth member of the supergroup, harmonizing with Charles, Hillary, and Dave in a way that’s magically effortless. Likewise, the album’s title track is an effervescent harmonic highlight, as Breland trades vocals with the golden-voiced Mickey Guyton. The track tells the tale of the singers searching for a place they belong, truly a fitting moment for a pair of two perceived misfits in the genre. “I’m going cross country // I won’t stop running ’til I find where I belong,” they harmonize. “I’m going cross country // Know they might judge me, I ain’t gotta prove ’em wrong.”

While the album may be loaded with duets, there’s also plenty of room for Breland to shine on his own. On his recent single, “Natural,” he pays homage to Shania Twain’s classic “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” by melding pieces of the actual track with his own lyrics. “It’s awesome seeing the resurgence of ’90s country and its influence on today’s new music. I’ve noticed a lot of people have been taking inspiration from a lot of male artists, so I wanted to sample one of country music’s most influential females,” he reveals in a statement.

Songs like “Thick” and “County Line” have more of an R&B tint than some others, with the latter celebrating the rising star’s New Jersey upbringing over an endlessly catchy hook. Meanwhile, “Happy Song” is far from it, Breland singing “Our song ain’t a happy song no more.”

On the album’s final track, “Alone at the Ranch,” Breland pays homage to the smooth R&B songs of the 90’s, channeling his inner Usher as he uses his falsetto on the slow jam. While lyrically, the track may dabble in country, it’s pure R&B as Breland croons, “Alone at the ranch // Baby let me work with my hands // If you want to saddle up // Just the two of us // Make a lot of love // A little country romance // We can, alone at the ranch.”

For Breland, Cross Country is truly an eclectic mix of sounds that meld together in the most unexpected, yet harmonious, manner.

BRELAND – Cross Country Track List:

Here For It ft. Ingrid Andress
Country Line
Praise The Lord ft. Thomas Rhett
Natural
Told You I Could Drink ft. Lady A
For What It’s Worth
Happy Song
Growing Pains
Throw It Back ft. Keith Urban
Thick
Cross Country ft. Mickey Guyton
Good For You
Don’t Look At Me
Alone At The Ranch

Country Swag Picks:

Here For It (w/ Ingrid Andress)
Natural
Told You I Could Drink (w/ Lady A)

Breland drops his debut album, ‘Cross Country’ 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 Breland releases.

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

Mr. Saturday Night 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.

Kane Brown: ‘Different Man’ – Album Review

September 9, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Kane Brown’s new album, Different Man is out now, September 9th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Since bursting onto the country music scene in 2015, Kane Brown has become one of country music’s fastest rising superstars. Today, the singer-songwriter releases his third album, Different Man, which features seventeen new tracks that run the gamut of styles.

For the Sony Music Nashville superstar, Different Man allows him to explore a wide array of sounds and styles while still remaining true to himself as an artist. One of Brown’s core tenants has always been his fans and this is ever-consistent on this album, as Brown relied on them to choose the cover art, which was then revealed on Paramount’s Times Square Billboard.

As dedicated as Brown is to his fans, he’s also dedicated to the state of Georgia, where he was raised. In fact, both the album’s opening and closing tracks revolve around the state, with the opener (“Bury Me in Georgia”) imploring those he leaves behind to give him a final resting place in Georgia while its bookend (“Dear Georgia”) reads as more of a love letter. The opening track kicks off with somber church bells before kicking up a one-two country beat, with Brown singing, “Bury me in Georgia, let me rest in peace // Underneath the pines, where my roots run deep,” He sings. “When I die, bury me in Georgia.”

The album’s title track is an immediate standout, Brown trading verses with Blake Shelton on the dark and brooding tune. Here, the pair are questioning their purposes in life, wondering if they were made for the stage and not small town life. “What if I was made for the stage? // What if I was made for the lights? // What if I was chosen to write the stories?” They ask. “Wasn’t built to work the line // Oh what if I was different?”

Another highlight of the album is “Thank God,” a folksy ballad featuring Brown’s wife, Katelyn, as his duet partner. Here, the pair share verses of how thankful they are to have found each other. “Thank God I get to wake up by your side // Thank God your hand fits perfectly in mine,” the pair sing. “Thank God you loved me when you didn’t have to // But you did and you do and He knew // Thank God for giving me you.”

Other romantic moments of the collection include the sweet “Nothing I’d Change,” the bouncy “See You Like I Do,” and “Leave You Alone,” a smooth and soulful ballad that shows Brown’s R&B influences.

Throughout Different Man, Brown celebrates his influences, stretching himself beyond country music. This is most apparent on songs like “Drunk or Dreaming,” which has hints of Margaritaville, “Grand,” a hip-hop-infused celebration of life, and “Riot,” a darker promise to defend his family at all costs. Speaking to the New York Times, the star revealed that, with “Grand” he leaned into the naysayers. “I released ‘Grand,’ and there are so many comments that are saying, ‘This isn’t country.’ It’s like, ‘No [expletive]. I wasn’t trying to make this country.”

However, there’s plenty of straight country on Different Man as well, including “Go Around,” “Like I Love Country Music,” “Whiskey Sour,” and “Pop’s Last Name.” The latter is a tribute to his grandfather, while “Go Around” is a radio-ready mid-tempo about approaching a girl in a bar. Likewise, “Whiskey Sour” is another clear highlight, Brown drowning his sorrows over love lost in the drink, recalling the first his ex bought him to the ones he finds himself lost in now.

On Different Man, Brown allows himself the grace to remain absolutely true to himself. “I used to always be nervous about what people were going to think, and I was kind of scared — I didn’t want people to think that I was leaving country music because that’s my heart,” Brown revealed to the New York Times. “But now, it’s just to the point where it’s like, I’m a dad now, two kids; I care what they think. So I’m just not that scared kid anymore.”

Kane Brown – Different Man Track List:

“Bury Me in Georgia”
“Different Man” feat. Blake Shelton
“Like I Love Country Music”
“Go Around”
“Grand”
“See You Like I Do”
“Thank God” feat. Katelyn Brown
“Leave You Alone”
“Riot”
“One Mississippi”
“Drunk or Dreamin'”
“Losing You”
“Whiskey Sour”
“Pop’s Last Name”
“Devil Don’t Even Bother”
“Nothin’ I’d Change”
“Dear Georgia”

Country Swag Picks:

Different Man
Go Around
Whiskey Sour

Kane Brown’s brand new album, ‘Different Man’ 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 Kane Brown releases.

To keep up with Kane Brown, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Different Man 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.

Jon Pardi: ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ – Album Review

September 2, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Jon Pardi’s brand new album, Mr. Saturday Night is out now, September 2nd on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

The best thing about Jon Pardi is that he’s unapologetically himself. The Capitol Records Nashville singer has never been one to chase trends or release music that isn’t true to his authentic country sound, which continues on his new album, Mr. Saturday Night, out now.

For the California native, his fourth full-length album represents the type of albums he grew up on, influenced by trailblazers like George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Whitley, and Buck Owens. This isn’t an album meant to be a flash in the pan, but instead, something to be listened to over and over, discovering new nuances and intricacies with each listen.

On Mr. Saturday Night, Pardi is much more than just a cowboy hat singing party anthems. Instead, he delves much deeper, both lyrically and musically, mixing the best of stirring ballads with dance floor ditties.

Produced by Pardi, Bart Butler, and Ryan Gore, there’s no autotune or drum tracks on Mr. Saturday Night. Opening with the title track, the tone is immediately set with a lyrically sad song hidden within what may initially seem like a simple fun tune. “I feel like everybody wants to be Mr. Saturday Night at one point on the weekend and have a good time,” shares Pardi in a statement. “But then you hear the song and – the way it’s so well written – it’s a sad song, but you don’t go there right away, because it’s also a fun song. That’s the thing about ‘Mr. Saturday Night,’ it’s more than meets the eye. It’s all fun until you get to the chorus.”

Like the clever lyrical contradiction of the album opener, other titles that may catch listeners off guard are the final two tracks, “Smokin’ a Doobie” and “Reverse Cowgirl.” Of the former, Pardi reveals, “We had rented a house and watched this crew member kinda slipping down to the banks of the river, just grabbing a moment and firing up. Rhett (Akins) out of nowhere started singing ‘Smokin’ a doobie on the Guadalupe…’ The song fell out! I don’t think it was 40 minutes before we were done.”

Meanwhile, Pardi admits that when he was initially sent the track “Reverse Cowgirl” he refused to listen to it because of its questionable name. However, after one listen, he was hooked. “I played it as a joke. One listen in, we couldn’t stop listening! The girls loved it…,” He says of the song that enlists the effervescent Sarah Buxton on background vocals and Jenee Fleenor on fiddle. “It’s romantic, but it puts a smile on your face; makes you happy, sad, laugh, all at once. Plus, when you hear that fiddle, you’re right back to Strait in the ‘90s.”

Songs like “Longneck Way to Go,” “Fill ‘Er Up,” “New Place to Drink,” and “Workin’ On a New One” are amongst the twangy, two-steppable drinking songs on the album. Yet, none sound like anything that’s on radio, each pairing Pardi’s recognizable drawl with classic country instrumentation of drawling banjos and slide guitars.

“Fill ‘Er Up” features slide guitars and chaotic country keys as Pardi is “chasing that good time with all my rowdy friends” before ending the song with a very Elvis-like “thank you.” Meanwhile, “Workin’ On a New One” has him well on his way to yet another hangover. “I swore my last hangover was my last hangover,” He drawls. “But I’m workin’ on a new one tonight.”

Meanwhile, “Santa Cruz” and “Neon Light Speed” are more breezy love songs. The latter finds him falling in love on the dance floor, while “New Place to Drink” finds him in search of a new bar to get away from a woman who broke his heart.

The current chart climber, “Last Night Lonely” is a clear standout, as is the gritty “Your Heart or Mine.” Here, he finds himself in a gasoline and matches type of relationship that both swear “ain’t love.”

“Is it your heart or mine? // Is it whiskey or wine? // Is it something in the night making us // Want to cross that line? // Girl we’re playing with fire // Love ain’t too far behind // It’s just a matter of time // ‘Til it finds // Your heart or mine”

Pardi shows his softer side on “Raincheck,” “Hung the Moon,” and “The Day I Stop Dancing,” each offering a different perspective on love. On “Raincheck,” he’s trying to move on with someone new, but isn’t quite ready, crooning, “Tonight I just want a whiskey // And sit here alone // Flip through the pictures of the memories on my phone // And jukebox some Whitley // ‘Til the lights come on // You look so right // But girl it feels so wrong // I thought I could show up // Get drunk // Get this heartbreak gone // But tonight I need a raincheck on movin’ on”

On the flip side, both “The Day I Stop Dancing” and “Hung the Moon” are more straightforward love songs. On the former, he promises never to stop dancing with someone he loves, while the latter finds Pardi grappling with his outlaw side in the eyes of a woman who loves him anyway. “I never thought I’d meet an angel // That could slow down this heart of a rolling stone // Yeah I’ve made mistakes // Done everything under the sun a man can do // Yeah but she still thinks I hung the moon.”

For Jon Pardi, Mr. Saturday Night is the perfect continuation of an already stellar body of work. Both lyrically and instrumentally, the collection elevates Pardi as an artist and is his most cohesive and timeless offering yet.

Jon Pardi – Mr. Saturday Night Track List:

“Mr. Saturday Night” (Benjy Davis, Reid Isbell, Joe Ragosta)
“Fill ‘Er Up” (Jon Pardi, Ross Copperman, Brice Long)
“Last Night Lonely” (Jimi Bell, Joe Fox, Dylan Marlowe)
“Neon Light Speed” (Andy Albert, Josh Dorr, Paul DiGiovanni)
“New Place To Drink” (Jon Pardi, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird)
“Your Heart Or Mine” (Bart Butler, Justin Ebach, John Pierce)
“Santa Cruz” (Jon Pardi, Luke Laird)
“Longneck Way To Go” (Midland featuring Jon Pardi) (Rhett Akins, Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Ashley Gorley, Mark Wystrach)
“Raincheck” (Will Bundy, John Edwards, Michael Tyler)
“Workin’ On A New One” (Jon Pardi, Rhett Akins, Luke Laird)
“Hung The Moon” (Will Bundy, John Morgan, Jameson Rodgers)
“The Day I Stop Dancin’” (Bart Butler, Justin Ebach, Josh Thompson)
“Smokin’ A Doobie” (Jon Pardi, Rhett Akins, Luke Laird)
“Reverse Cowgirl” (Zack Dyer, Joe Fox, Jared Scott)

*Produced by Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, and Jon Pardi

Country Swag Picks:

Fill ‘Er Up
Raincheck
New Place to Drink
Reverse Cowgirl

Jon Pardi’s new album, ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ 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 Jon Pardi releases.

Jon Pardi will appear at the sold-out rooftop at Pier 17 on September 22 as part of his Ain’t Always the Cowboy Tour.

To keep up with Jon Pardi, follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Mr. Saturday Night 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.

Ingrid Andress: ‘Good Person’ – Album Review

August 26, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Ingrid Andress’ brand new album, Good Person is out now, August 26th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With the type of voice that immediately pierces through to a listener’s soul, Ingrid Andress has become one of Nashville’s most consistent singer-songwriters. With her left-of-center style she frequently colors outside the lines of typical country music in the best way possible. That continues on her sophomore album, Good Person, out now.

Featuring thirteen new tracks, including “Wishful Drinking,” the chart-climbing duet with Sam Hunt, her new offering is an impactful introspection of the best kind. “When people describe something as an adventure, it’s all fun and exciting,” says Andress in a statement. “But if it’s a real adventure, there’s some struggle in there, too—it’s not all fun new things, there can be some dark days. But the contrast of that is what I enjoy. Making Good Person was one of the most painful processes I’ve ever been through, but it was also the brightest and the best. It’s crazy how you can experience both those things at the same time. I didn’t think I could be more open, but I guess I am. Just when you think you’ve exposed it all, you see that you only just cracked it.”

Following in the footsteps of her critically-acclaimed debut, Lady Like, was not an easy feat, but there’s no sophomore slump here. Instead, Andress is as vulnerable and introspective as ever on the co-produced project, which features a combination of sweeping ballads and clever up-tempos. “I realized how scared a lot of people are to push boundaries and how I am not, that’s my bread and butter,” she says. “Isn’t that the goal, to discover new things? What are we doing here if we’re not trying to make new art?”

For Andress, much of the album was written when the world shut down during the pandemic, allowing her to look inward as she realized, “I wasn’t happy and [that] I needed to fix it.” This theme weaves its way through the album, which often finds Andress looking inward to deal with a broken heart and moving on from a toxic relationship.

From the opening chords of “Good Person,” the album’s title track, it’s clear listeners are in for a journey of the best kind. On the ethereal song, Andress looks both inwards and outwards, comparing herself to others as she grapples with the definition of being a good person. In a world that’s so full of judgment and comparison, the song deals with one of humanity’s most common struggles.

“’Cause I’ve cheated and lied // And made people cry // But I pray for the ones that I love every night // And I’ve shattered some hearts // And my thoughts get dark // But I’d stop for a stranger who’s falling apart // I’m still learning // Good, good person”

One of the album’s immediate standouts is “Yearbook,” a heart-wrenching ballad that has her observing a relationship that’s been long-standing, but may no longer make sense. On the sparse ballad, she looks at her parents and their 40-year-long relationship, from high school sweethearts to passing ships in the night.

“And I guess they stayed together just because they wrote forever // On the inside of the cover by their names // They were in love you can read it I guess // I’ve just only seen it in a red ink heart around my father’s face // They’ve lived in the same house for almost 40 years now // But the last day they were on the same page // Was in a yearbook”

On “Seeing Someone Else” and “How Honest Do You Want Me to Be?,” Andress continues to be blatantly honest in the best way. The former, an almost teasing track, has her challenging her lover that the person she wants to be with is a former version of herself. “And if you’re honest with yourself // You know you’re hanging onto history,” She sings here.

Meanwhile, on “How Honest Do You Want Me to Be?” She struggles with the idea of being truly honest with someone who may only think they want the truth.

“‘Cause when you water down whiskey, it gets easier to drink // And a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine sweeter // You say you want the truth, but the truth, baby, it might sting // So, how honest do you want me to be?

“No Choice” is one of the album’s most striking moments, a building and sweeping ballad that shows Andress cracking with emotion as she grapples with a relationship ending. The heartbreak is apparent here as the singer shares one of her most vulnerable performances to date, sure to stop listeners in their tracks.

Andress spoke to Rolling Stone about the track, revealing, “That was a very emotional day. It was in a moment when I realized that the person I was with, it was just not healthy for me. It was really weighing me down when I should have been thriving. That day was just really difficult…Honestly, I wanted to take out the crying part because I don’t like crying in front of people. But I was like, ‘You know what? This album is all about being vulnerable so let’s just go there.’ It’s terrifying to do that because you’re opening up a very, very hidden part of you to the entire world. There would be no other way for me to really get across how painful that moment was without being true to that moment. It’s really scary, but at the same time, it’s more about the art to me. I’m just a vessel. What I am singing about and crying about has happened to so many other people and the goal is to make them feel less alone and more understood.”

“Pain” deals with the same toxic relationship, melding an old-school vibe with heartbreaking lyrics. Andress admits the song was inspired by Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain” and the classic sounds of the 60’s. “I love contrasting older sounds with modern flair,” says Andress. “I wondered if there was a way that could live in the country space—how throwback can we get, but also make it country, but still fit my voice?”

“Feels Like This” and “Falling for You” offer moments of hope and new love amidst sadness. Andress admits that the latter was written with her band in mind, so they’d have a reprieve from the sad songs, allowing for a fun moment during her live shows. On the building up-tempo, she muses about the moment of falling for someone new, and the hope that it never stops. “I hope that I never stop falling for you,” She sings. “I hope that your kiss always feels like it’s new.”

The official album ends with “Things That Haven’t Happened Yet,” a sparse and intimate ballad that has the singer longing for what has been and what is yet to come. “I’m only twenty-nine, but I’ve died a hundred times,” She begins, immediately enrapturing listeners.

“I learned so much in this chapter of my life—and I’m still so young, so I’m terrified of what else I’m going to learn on the next album,” she says. “Ending with that song was a very intentional reminder to myself. ‘You think you’ve got it figured out now, so you’re worrying about the next thing.’ Don’t do that, there’s no point. It’s all going to happen the way it’s going to happen, whether you want it to or not. The journey isn’t over.”

For Ingrid Andress, the journey is far from over, and we’re certainly here for it. If Good Person is any indication, it’s certain to be a beautiful – and occasionally bumpy – ride.

Ingrid Andress – Good Person Track List:

Good Person (Ingrid Andress, Steph Jones, Sam Ellis)*
Yearbook (Ingrid Andress, Pete Good, Shane McAnally, Derrick Southerland)*
Seeing Someone Else (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Jesse Frasure)*
Talk (Ingrid Andress, Alex Stacey, Tommy Gee, David Fremberg, Mich Hansen)*
How Honest Do You Want Me to Be? (Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland)*
No Choice (Ingrid Andress, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose)**
Pain (Ingrid Andress, Laura Veltz, Sam Ellis)*
Feel Like This (Ingrid Andress, Julia Michaels, Sam Ellis)*
Blue (Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland, Shane McAnally)*
Falling For You (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)*
All the Love (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)*
Things That Haven’t Happened Yet (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)
*Produced by: Ingrid Andress & Sam Ellis
**Produced by: Ingrid Andress & AJ Pruis

Country Swag Picks:

No Choice
How Honest Do You Want Me to Be?
Yearbook
Good Person

Ingrid Andress new album, ‘Good Person’ is officially here.

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

To keep up with Ingrid Andress, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Good Person 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.

Seaforth: ‘What I Get For Loving You’ – EP Review

August 26, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Seaforth releases their new EP, What I Get For Loving You, out now, August 26th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

Australian-country duo, Seaforth (Mitch Thompson and Tom Jordan) is ready for the next iteration of their career. After sharing music on social media, their sophomore EP, What I get For Loving You is officially out now.

The new project kicks off with the recently released jam, “Queen of Daytona Beach” featuring Sean Kingston. The collaboration creates a new sound for music lovers of all genres to enjoy. It also marks the first of two collaborations on the project. Later in the record, Seaforth features Jordan Davis on their fun-loving song “Good Beer.”

“And a good beer is a cold one // If you got green, better roll one // And the right drive is a slow one down a backroad // Baby, I know that the whole town’s for the home team // Better hoedown in them old jeans // And I’m damn sure that the day’s done // With a good beer // And a good beer is a cold one”

This record also includes viral hits like “Breakups” and “Magic.” “Breakups” features the incredible duo’s harmonies, while they sing about maladaptive ways to deal with a heartbreak. On the other hand, “Magic,” is a quiet, swoon-worthy love song that puts you in an instant good mood. With lyrics like, “even on your worst day, you’re still magic,” it’s hard not to fall in love.

Seaforth also include some brand new songs on this project, including “Palm of Your Hand” and “Used To It.” On the former, the duo relies on their hooky lyrics and killer storytelling ability. On arguably one of our favorite songs off the project, “Used To It,” the men lean back into their soft side, bringing quiet vulnerability to the forefront.

Despite being so good at being open, Seaforth manages to showcase their vulnerability in a new way. The quirky and poppy, “Dr. Phil” is as clever, as it is catchy. Although it is a song about dealing with a break-up, it is fun to listen to.

Of course, we would be remiss if we did not mention the title track. According to Thompson and Jordan, “What I Get For Loving You” is the sequel to “Breakups.” The heart wrenching song is a declaration to what it feels like to get your heart ripped out and to have to pick up the pieces. Relatable as ever, Seaforth clearly know a thing or two about heartbreak.

“I guess that’s just what I get for loving you // Watching you walk out of my living room // Then seeing you arrive with somebody new // Now I gotta act like I’m happy too, nah // But I guess that’s just what I get for loving you // I knew all along what I had to lose // You’re out there running ’round like you’re bulletproof // While I still got some shit that I’m working through right now // I guess that’s just what I get for loving you”

For a duo that is equally as funny as they are talented, it is a pleasure to watch them create. The brand new EP is full of fun-loving jams and heart melting love songs that will make you fall deeper in love with life, yourself, and your partner. Seaforth is the real deal.

What I Get For Loving You EP Tracklist:

Queen of Daytona Beach (with Sean Kingston)
Palm of Your Hand
Breakups
Good Beer (feat. Jordan Davis)
Used To It
Dr. Phil
What I Get For Loving You
Magic

Seaforth drops their new EP, ‘What I get For Loving You’ 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 Seaforth releases.

To keep up with Seaforth, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

What I Get For Loving You 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.

Alexander Ludwig: ‘Highway 99’ – Album Review

August 26, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Alexander Ludwig’s brand new, debut album, Highway 99 is out now, August 26th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With a shockingly country drawl and an airy approach to country music that channels the best of the early-2000’s, Canadian actor-turned-country-singer Alexander Ludwig’s debut album, Highway 99, is out now. Released by BBR Music Group/ BMG Nashville, the full-length is a follow up to 2021’s self-titled EP, which featured songs like “Sunset Town,” “Love Today,” and “Summer Crazy.”

While he may be best known for roles in Vikings, Heels, and The Hunger Games, Ludwig always had country music in his blood, growing up on the likes of Alan Jackson and George Strait. He began writing songs at 12, falling in love with country music on long drives with his family. “I named my album ‘Highway 99’ because that drive is really where I got my musical education,” shared the singer, reminiscing about road trips from Vancouver to Whistler Mountain. “So much of my musical education growing up was driving through the mountains in Canada. […] When I think of this album, it wasn’t so much a story from start to finish, like a concise story, it’s this winding road of feelings that I wanted to communicate.”

Produced by Jason Aldean’s bandmates, Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy, Highway 99, is definitely a nod to the country Ludwig grew up on, meshing the best of Aldean, Chesney, and other influences into an album full of stadium-ready anthems, odes to small towns, and celebrations of life.

“Summer Crazy” is one of the album’s most apparent standouts, setting the perfect soundtrack for a day at the beach or a barbecue, and the Instagram caption that’s sure to follow. With driving guitars and a perfect hook, the track is as radio-ready as they come.

Likewise, “Love Today” shines as another clear highlight, Ludwig raising a lyrical glass to seize the day. “It’s good to be alive, kinda smile on my face, yeah it’s gonna be okay,” He sings over the infectious melody and catchy tune. “I love today.”

The album’s first single, “Faded on Me,” is a more rowdy up-tempo with an anthemic feel, yet semi-autobiographical for Ludwig. “If my album could be summed up in a song it would be ‘Faded On Me,’” said Ludwig in a statement. “The song spoke to me so much. As a kid, my parents taught me to roll with the punches, and this song is all about that. Taking whatever life throws your way and throwing it right back.”

“One more night in a neon town // And I pull my heart into one more, one more round // Burn both ends till they both burn out // Shots I’ve missed, girls I kissed // When the heartache hits I go till it’s faded on me // I go till it’s faded on me // Till it’s faded on me.”

Much of Highway 99 finds the singer-songwriter longing for the one that got away. This can be heard on tracks including “After You,” “Back,” “Can’t Outrun You,” and “Melrose Avenue.” On “After You,” he admits that things will never be the same after someone special is gone, while “Back” also has him longing for those days when things were better.

“Can’t Outrun You” also finds the singer-songwriter desperately trying to escape a lost love who’s everywhere he goes and everywhere he looks. “Everything here reminds me…” He croons. “Every neon bar // That Texaco star // Every sundown water tower view // Rolling down that main street strip // Every parking lot kiss // Runs through my mind // No matter what I do // Every road, every mile I go // I can’t outrun you.”

While some tracks may allude to Ludwig being lovelorn, that couldn’t be further from the truth for the happily married superstar. One song reflecting that is “Malibu Blue,” which Ludwig says he played for his wife on their first date, so it will forever hold a special place in his heart.

Like any good country album, there are songs about small towns, back roads, and simpler life on Highway 99, including “Sunset Town,” “Rough Around the Edges,” and “That’s the Life I Want.” While the star could easily “go Hollywood,” he longs for a simple life out in the country with someone special. “Simple as a windows-down singalong song,” he muses. “As long as this life keeps on spinning // That’s the life I want // You’re the girl I want in it.”

The album concludes with “Let Me Be Your Whiskey,” a slow burner where Ludwig begs someone to help him numb the pain. In fact, he offers for them to self-medicate together on the sparse ballad of knowing something is wrong despite how right it may feel.

“Let me be your whiskey // You can be mine // Spend the whole night with me // Until the mornin’ light // Ain’t gonna heal the heartache // Ain’t gonna stop the rain // Let me be your whiskey // And for a while, kill the pain.”

Throughout Highway 99, one note is how similar Ludwig sounds to Kenny Chesney, in a good way. In fact, if there’s ever a Chesney biopic, Ludwig might have to shave his head and don a tanktop and a cowboy hat to play the country superstar.

Highway 99 is a great introduction for Alexander Ludwig to country music fans, as it melds common tropes with an early-2000’s flare and his own spin on summer nights, lost love, and the perfect life.

Alexander Ludwig – Highway 99 Track List:
(Digital Sequence)

Sunset Town
Faded On Me
That’s The Life I Want
Rough Around The Edges
How It Rolls
201 Melrose Avenue
That Kinda Love
Back
If You Don’t I Do
Like She Wanted To
Summer Crazy
After You
Malibu Blue
Can’t Outrun You
Love Today
Let Me Be Your Whiskey

Country Swag Picks:

Faded on Me
Summer Crazy
Love Today
Can’t Outrun You

Alexander Ludwig’s debut album, ‘Highway 99’ 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 Alexander Ludwig releases.

To keep up with Alexander Ludwig, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

Highway 99 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.

Kameron Marlowe: ‘We Were Cowboys’ – Album Review

August 26, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Kameron Marlowe’s brand new, debut album, We Were Cowboys is out now, August 26th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Since the first time we heard “Giving You Up,” we knew Kameron Marlowe was going to be a star. When we heard, “Steady Heart,” it was cemented. With the officially release of his debut album, We Were Cowboys, we are even more convinced! Marlowe is a standout vocalist and songwriter amongst a sea of talented musicians in country music. We Were Cowboys LP proves that he is here to stay.

Themes of nostalgia, heartbreak, and romance are evident throughout the sixteen song project. The title track and the the final song, “Long Way Down,” bookend project, both introducing who Marlowe is to the audience and reminding fans how primed for the stage he is. “We Were Cowboys” feels almost autobiographical, as it is clear that the singer-songwriter weaved some of his Carolina upbringing throughout the intricate lyrics.

“When I turned 16 my saddle was the front seat of that 1993 Silverado // On a dirt road // I was Eastwood cool with a Marlboro Red // Aztec blanket in an eight food bed // Earnin’ braggin’ rights, every Saturday night // Them small town girls couldn’t help but fall for us // We were cowboys”

Marlowe features other nostalgic and personal songs throughout the project. On “This Old Town” the singer-songwriter leans into the traditional country sound, expressing the nostalgia of country living. On “Country Boy’s Prayer,” one of the few outside cuts, the traditional sound is heard again, as the singer talks to God. However, clearly one of the most personal on the record is the homey song, “Granny’s Got a Garden (For G’maw Jan)”

Although, we love the nostalgic songs, Marlowe shines on the break-up tracks that are sprinkled throughout the impressive project. While breakout songs like “Giving You Up,” “Girl On Fire,” and “Burn ‘Em All” gives fans a taste of the variety in the singer-songwriter’s talent, it is songs like “Does It Have to Be Over,” “Fool Me Again,” and “Over Now,” that continue to impress us.

Marlowe let’s his gritty vocals shine on “Does It Have to be Over.” He laments about not wanting a relationship to end, something we can all relate to. Similarly, on “Fool Me Again,” the singer-songwriter reflects on the could of beens and the remnants of a broken relationship. On the contrary, “Over Now” is a break-up tune that focuses on breaking up in the hopes of starting over one day.

“It is is what it is // And it ain’t what it was // And the same me saying let’s get back to us // This is loving you enough to tell you goodbye // Cause it’s all we got left that we ain’t yet tried // So let’s start over now”

Marlowe puts a twist on a break-up song on “Saying Goodbye.” Taking the perspective of an ex-lover, the singer talks to a future guy who dates the same girl, providing advice throughout the song. “There ain’t nothing like a girl saying goodbye // It’s like the world goes dark for a little while // You’re going to live, but a part of you is going to die.” The singer takes the advice-giving approach on the gritty song “Money Ain’t $hit” too.

Marlowe’s debut project is everything we hoped it would be. The singer clearly takes his craft seriously, creating music that is going to continue to attract more and more fans as his young career blossoms. According to the singer in a recent press release, he expresses, “I couldn’t be prouder of this project, and I’m incredibly excited for fans to get a deeper look at who I am through these songs.” He definitely should be proud!

Kameron Marlowe – We Were Cowboys Track List:

We Were Cowboys (*Kameron Marlowe, Wyatt McCubbin, Tyler Farr)
Country Boy’s Prayer (*Casey Beathard, Dan Isbell, Reid Isbell)
Girl On Fire (*Kameron Marlowe, Jason Gantt, Josh Osborne)
Giving You Up (*Kameron Marlowe)
Does It Have to Be Over (*Kameron Marlowe, Josh Hoge, Wyatt McCubbin)
This Old Town (*Kameron Marlowe, Tyler Farr, Wyatt McCubbin)
Money Ain’t $hit (*Casey Beathard, Brice Long, Shane Minor)
Fool Me Again (*Kameron Marlowe, Rob Williford, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
Burn ‘Em All (*Kameron Marlowe, Brinley Addington, Joey Hyde, Aaron Eshuis)
Steady Heart (*Kameron Marlowe, Jessi Alexander, Dan Isbell)
Over Now (*Tucker Beathard, Jake Mitchell)
Saying Goodbye (*Carson Chamberlain, Wyatt McCubbin, Mark Nesler)
Ain’t Enough Whiskey (*Kameron Marlowe, John Pierce, Dan Isbell)
Runnin’ Out On You (*Alex Maxwell, Dawson Edwards, Liam Stolly)
Granny’s Got a Garden (For G’maw Jan) (*Kameron Marlowe, Rob Williford, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
Long Way Down (*C. Michael Spriggs, Craig Wiseman)

*songwriting credits
Songs 4 and 9 produced by Brad Hill; All others produced by Dann Huff

Country Swag Picks:

Over Now
Burn ‘Em All
Runnin’ Out On You
Fool Me Again

Kameron Marlowe’s brand new album, ‘We Were Cowboys’ is officially here.

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

To keep up with Kameron Marlowe, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

We Were Cowboys 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.

Tyler Hubbard: ‘Dancin’ In The Country’ – EP Review

August 19, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Tyler Hubbard releases his new EP, Dancing’ In The Country, out now, August 19th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

In anticipation of his debut solo album, out next January, Tyler Hubbard released six new songs to give fans a teaser of what’s to come. All of the songs on the Dancin’ in the Country EP are co-written by the accomplished singer-songwriter, as well as Canaan Smith, Keith Urban, Jaren Johnston, Rhett Akins, and Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi. Hubbard released the project before joining Urban’s The Speed of Now World Tour on September 3.

The Florida Georgia Line frontman shared in a statement, “Today’s one of the days I’ve been anticipating since I decided to record a solo project. I’m rehearsing for the fall tour, and now being able to share many of the songs I’m going to perform live for the first time as a solo artist is very exciting. I hope the fans like them as much as I do and share in my excitement. I’ll be on the road with my solo material in just a few weeks!”

Opening with the Urban co-penned title track, Hubbard immediately sets the stage for something that’s a little different than what FGL fans have come to know. The ode to two-stepping is a little more twangy and a little more straightforward country while Hubbard’s unmistakable drawl makes it familiar.

“I’ll take you dancin’ in the country // Levi’s in them low beams // Spin you in some red dirt // Sweep you off of both feet // Out here where the sun sets // Silverado backbeat // You’ll never wanna go home // And never wanna not be // Dancin’ in the country // Dancin’ in the country”

“Everybody Needs a Bar” is arguably the most FGL-esque track, a punchy ode to a favorite haunt where one can kick back and feel at home. Here, “Everybody’s got a friend when you sittin’ on a stool.”

Meanwhile, “Baby Gets Her Lovin’” has a swampy, dirty sound that’s reminiscent of something from Marc Broussard or Brett Eldredge’s newest album, Songs About You. On the thumping crowd-pleaser, complete with a stellar guitar solo, Hubbard proclaims “My baby gets her lovin’ from me.”

That romantic thread continues through “Inside and Out,” “I’m the Only One” and “5 Foot 9,” each of the three tracks proclaiming his love for a special woman. On “I’m the Only One,” he celebrates that he’s the lucky one who gets to love on his wife, Hayley, singing “I’m the only one who gets to kiss a dream come true // Everybody’s got somebody they love // But I’m the only one’s got you.”

Likewise, “5 Foot 9” is a relatable stunner of a mid-tempo love song, Hubbard proclaiming his love for everything that makes his wife special. Except, for one small detail: He tells Taste of Country that he made a mistake when writing the song: his wife is actually 5’10.”

“God makes five foot nine, brown eyes, and a sundress // Loves Tim McGraw and a small town accent // Ain’t no way that me and this truck made her fall in love/ / Jack makes good whiskey but God makes the good stuff // Oh, God makes the good stuff”

On the Dancin’ in the Country EP, Tyler Hubbard sets the stage for his solo project, due out next year. One thing is for certain, with his solo project, he’ll have fans dancin’ in their seats when he hits the road this fall.

Dancing’ In The Country EP Tracklist:

Dancin’ In The Country (Written by Hubbard, Jon Nite, Ross Copperman, Keith Urban)
Baby Gets Her Lovin’ (Written by Hubbard, Jesse Frasure, Canaan Smith) *
Everybody Needs A Bar (Written by Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Zachary Kale)
Inside And Out (Written by Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi)
I’m The Only One (Written by Hubbard, Chris Loocke, Rhett Akins)
5 Foot 9 (Written by Hubbard, Jaren Johnston, Chase McGill

All tracks produced by Tyler Hubbard and Jordan Schmidt
*Produced with Jesse Frasure

Tyler-hubbard-new-ep

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

Tyler Hubbard will appear with Keith Urban on October 22 at UBS Arena at Belmont Park. He’ll also appear on NBC’s Today on August 30.

To keep up with Tyler Hubbard, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Dancin’ In The Country 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.

kolby-cooper-boy-from-anderson-county-album

Kolby Cooper: ‘ Boy From Anderson County To The Moon’ – Album Review

August 19, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Kolby Cooper’s brand new album, Boy From Anderson County To The Moon, is out now, August 19th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

In a world where Luke Combs is one of country music’s biggest stars and Chris Stapleton is sweeping awards shows, Kolby Cooper is a natural fit. With his debut full-length album with BBR/ Wheelhouse Records, Boy From Anderson County To The Moon, out today, Cooper is ready to step in, stand out, and shake things up.

“Boy From Anderson County To The Moon means so much to me,” says Cooper in a statement. “From the top to the bottom, each song is on here for a reason, and I couldn’t be more proud of it! I hope that when the fans listen to it, they hear how much work and how much of me went into this thing!”

Produced by Philip Mosley, the thirteen track collection was entirely co-written by the young singer-songwriter, who puts his own clever spin on lyrics, while mixing his in-jest takes with introspection and depth. He weaves his husky growl over a combination of wailing guitar riffs and poetic ballads in a way that’s sure to have him selling out stadiums in no time.

From the intense, yet radio-radio opening notes of “Are We On Fire?” through the final chords of “To the Moon,” it’s clear this debut is something special.

On the former, Cooper wails through a doomed relationship, as they both know it’s over but can’t seem to let go. The track builds to an anthemic chorus as he wonders who will be the first to end things.

“Is it my fault? // Is it your fault?// Girl who’s to blame? // Is everything we worked for goin’ up in flames? // Is this house burning down all around us? // We’d both be better off without us? // You say that you love me // And I’d never call you a liar // Is it just me or are we on fire? // Burning higher // Baby maybe I’m the gas and maybe you’re the lighter”

Meanwhile, “To the Moon,” named after Cooper’s YouTube series, is an introspective track inviting listeners to enjoy the important things in life while they have them. “Just ‘cause you got a little more dough // Doesn’t make you any better than the next guy // Yeah this life sure feels like it feels like too soon…Just pray there’s something higher than the moon.”

While the album is bookended perfectly, there are many more stories to be told through the East Texas native’s thirteen tracks. On “Excuses,” he deals with an “It ain’t you, it’s me” situation that was inspired by his guitar player’s sudden breakup, while “Breaking News” is a smoldering Jason Aldean-esque up-tempo. That type of lyrical jest continues through “That Song Don’t Make No Sense,” “Her Favorite Songs,” and “Good for You,” which finds Cooper faking happiness for someone who’s moved on, “wishin’ what was good for me was good for you.”

One of the album’s absolute standouts is “Stars Fall Down,” a track that shows Cooper take on another role: Dad. In the moving love letter to his young daughters, the singer-songwriter shows his softer side, encouraging his daughters to always shoot for the stars.

“So when you take aim // Baby shoot for the sky // If you miss, it’ll be alright // I’m gonna love you no matter what // ‘Cause that’s just what a daddy does // Don’t be scared if you burn bright, but you burn out // Baby keep on shining // ‘Cause even stars fall down”

Likewise, the album’s title track reads like a love letter to Cooper’s wife, Jillian, who the singer-songwriter has known since third grade. Cooper tells Taste of Country, “I knew since the last record was more of a sad record about my dad passing away that I wanted this record to be more about where I am in life right now. I’m extremely blessed in every way: I’m married to the girl of my dreams, I’ve got two perfect little girls, and I get to go play shows for people that want to sing every word. So, I wanted to get that across on this one.”

“She made me better // She made me stronger // She made me want this dream so bad // She made me wish that forever wasn’t all the time we had // She showed me every single thing I didn’t know about me // And I thank God everyday that that girl found me // ‘Cause He made a plan // She made a choice // They made a man out of a boy from Anderson county”

Kolby Cooper may just be a “Boy from Anderson County,” but his career is certainly destined for the moon and beyond. Based on this album, we’re certain he’s going to end up amongst the brightest stars.

Kolby Cooper – Boy From Anderson County To The Moon Track List:

“Are We On Fire” (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker)
“Excuses” (Kolby Cooper, Brett Tyler, Jordan Walker)
“Breaking News” (Kolby Cooper, Troy Verges, Jake Mitchell)
“Storm’s Coming” (Kolby Cooper, Brett Tyler, Ross Cooperman, Michael Hardy)
“Woke Up Hungover” (Kolby Cooper, Hunter Phelps, Brent Anderson)
“Stars Fall Down” (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker, Jacob Davis)
“Way To Go” (Kolby Cooper, Mike Walker, Josh Jenkins)
“Just A Door” (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker)
“This Song Don’t Make No Sense” (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker, Matt McKinney)
“Her Favorite Songs” (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker, Jacob Davis)
“Good For You” (Kolby Cooper, Jameson Rodgers, Brent Anderson)
“Boy From Anderson County” (Kolby Cooper, Jordan Walker)
“To The Moon” (Kolby Cooper, Thomas Archer, Jordan Walker, Ray Fulcher)

*Produced by Philip Mosley

Country Swag Picks:

Excuses
Are We On Fire?
Stars Fall Down
Boy From Anderson County

Kolby Cooper’s debut album, ‘Boy From Anderson County To The Moon’ 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 Kolby Cooper releases.

Kolby Cooper will make his Grand Ole Opry Debut on September 10, and is currently both headlining his own shows and supporting Koe Wetzel.

To keep up with Kolby Cooper, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Boy From Anderson County To The Moon 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.

Steve Moakler: ‘Make A Little Room’ – Album Review

August 12, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Steve Moakler’s brand new album, Make A Little Room, is out now, August 12th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With his patented singer-songwriter-meets-country twang, Steve Moakler is releasing his seventh studio album, Make A Little Room. For the Pennsylvania native, the ten track collection is an autobiographical one, with each song written or co-written by him.

“It really is the overarching theme of the record,” Moakler says in a statement of the album’s title, when it comes to making room in one’s life for the important things. “You can hang it all on that, this shift toward what ultimately matters. It’s the people around you and the little things. Having some margin in your life, and some space for magic to happen.”

Produced by Andy Skib, collaborators here include Nashville hitmakers like Luke Laird, Marcus Hummon, Kelly Archer, and Lucie Silvas, who lends her ethereal background vocals to the nostalgic and anthemic, “Autumn Came Back.”

Throughout the album, Moakler weaves a mix of introspection and nostalgia with a mantra to seize the day and enjoy the time we have, from the big to the simple things. This is evident on the album’s title track and opener, as he sets a stage for appreciating what life has to offer.

“Make a little room // For the sunshine and the good times and the Saturday nights // Make a little room // For the real talks and the long walks and the color outside the linеs // Put a little more space bеtween living and dying // For more of what money can’t buy you // Cut loose dancing, a little romancing // Before it slips right through your hands man // Make a little room”

Moakler weaves his love of a “Tennessee Girl” into a celebratory track about his wife, Gracie, while embracing his own roots on “Northerner.” On the latter, he sings of where he grew up and where he ended up, proclaiming “Jersey baby and a rust belt boy…I’ll always call it home, I just couldn’t stay too long.”

“You Being You” is a clear standout moment of the album, written just weeks into the singer-songwriter’s first stint at fatherhood. “As I said, I wrote this song in the middle of the night, two weeks into being a dad,” He shared on Instagram. “Not that I was getting much sleep anyway, but this one woke me up. I remember whispering the lyrics into my phone while I sat on the stairs. I feel like becoming a parent has opened rooms in my heart that I didn’t even know were there, so I guess this is the sound of one of the doors swinging open.”

When it comes to doors swinging open, “Pack It Up” centers on packing up one home and moving to another in search of something bigger and better, Moakler musing “Seems like a good place to grow up, since we have to.”

While there’s a lot of introspection and family reflected on Make a Little Room, Moakler’s “Let’s Go to the Lake,” is about a relaxing day on the water, while “Start A Band” is a tongue-in-cheek ode to a foray into the life of a musician. Not to be confused with the Brad Paisley and Keith Urban duet of the same name, “Start A Band”’ shows Moakler channeling his inner Urban, both vocally and with the tune’s guitar sound.

Another of the album’s most prominent moments is “Better Days,” an anthem for looking ahead to a time when things will be better. With hints of yacht rock, Moakler raises a toast to the future, proclaiming, “Better days somewhere up around the bend // They ain’t here now // But it’s not the end // I’ve been losing ground but we can’t lose faith // Gotta believe there will be better days.”

The album ends with “Numbered,” the perfect bookend to “Make A Little Room,” with hints of Kenny Chesney’s classic, “Don’t Blink.” Here, Moakler encourages listeners to enjoy every moment before they’re gone.

“You breathe in and breathe out // Then the sun’s up and it goes down // There are times you get to live // And times you just get through // Every long kiss, every heartbreak // Every bull’s eye, every mistake I guess we decide just what they all add up to // But it feels a little sweeter going by // Soon as you realize these days are numbered.”

For Steve Moakler, Make A Little Room is the perfect continuation of an already impressive body of work, positioning him as one of music’s most honest and consistent singer-songwriters.

Steve Moakler – Make A Little Room Track List:

“Make a Little Room” (Steve Moakler/Kelly Archer/Nathan Spicer)
“Tennessee Girl “(Steve Moakler/Oscar Charles)
“Pack It Up” (Steve Moakler)
“Autumn Came Back” (Steve Moakler/Andrew DeRoberts/Lucie Silvas)
“Start a Band” (Steve Moakler/Neil Mason)
“Better Days” (Steve Moakler/Marcus Hummon/Neil Medley)
“Let’s Go to the Lake” (Steve Moakler/Luke Laird/Barry Dean)
“Northerner” (Steve Moakler/Stephanie Chapman)
“You Being You” (Steve Moakler)
“Numbered” (Steve Moakler/Andy Skib/Jacob Davis)

Country Swag Picks:

Better Days
Numbered
You Being You

Steve Moakler drops a brand new album, ‘Make A Little Room,’ 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 Steve Moakler releases.

Moakler will hit the stage at NYC’s City Winery on August 12 as part of his Make A Little Room Release Tour. To keep up with the singer-songwriter, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Make A Little Room 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.