First Impression Archives

Georgia Webster: ‘First Goodbye’ EP – Review

July 16, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Georgia Webster’s First Goodbye EP is out today, July 16th, on all streaming platforms. Featuring tracks such as “Push & Pull” and “Tell Your Mom,” check out our full review below.

We always look forward to Fridays because of the incredible new releases by country artists. Today, we are extra excited because talented singer-songwriter Georgia Webster makes her major-label debut. The Sony Music Nashville signee may only be 17 years old, but she has all the wisdom you need to make great music. Webster’s debut EP First Goodbye is officially out.

The EP kicks off with two songs that fans might be familiar with, due to the singer’s massive presence on social media. “Tell Your Mom” is arguably the song that made it happen for the songstress. The track went viral on TikTok back in July of 2020, and fans are still obsessed with it today. It is one of those songs that is both lyrically and melodically soothing.

“Summer nights and the way we kissed ya // Thought I was done didn’t know I missed it // But when I heard her voice I couldn’t breathe // Tell your mom to stop calling me // No disrespect, she’s the nicest lady // But she reminds me of you and lately // I’ve been holding myself up from falling // Please tell your mama to stop // calling, calling, calling”

Next up, “Push & Pull” brings us all back to that place of not wanting to end a relationship that your heart is no longer in. Webster admits to just not quite feeling it with her current relationship. Although many artists tackle heartbreak in their music, the singer does so in a way that gives a voice to those relationships that are good, but just not good enough.

The record transitions into another slow song with the title track, “First Goodbye.” Unlike “Push & Pull,” the heartache is truly evident on this song. Webster recounts a high school relationship and all the “firsts.” The song is nostalgic, sweet, and deeply personal. The songstress really lets fans into her heart on this diamond of a song.

“I can’t stop going back and forth // I keep asking myself // if freedom and growing is worth being alone, but I guess it’s too late now // and back then we had it easier, never wanted to leave // I say it and it hurts”

On “UGLY,” Webster shows off her sassier side. The singer describes a physically beautiful teen boy, but still labels him as “ugly” because of the way he treated her. The song feels stage-ready; despite, its melancholy content.

The record wraps up perfectly with “Box of Memories.” Although the song feels somber, we can all relate to that physical box of an old relationship that is pushed away into the back of our closet. “Box of Memories” is a song that paints imagery to that feeling and that physicality. It beautifully puts a bow on the record in a way that feels like a chapter ending.

The entire record is truly made up of what feels like diary entries from the songstress. Mashing up John Mayer vibes with old-school Taylor Swift, Webster finds the sweet spot with her knack for songwriting and her captivating country-pop vocals. Congrats to the singer on an incredible debut!

First GoodbyeEP Tracklist:

Tell Your Mom
Push & Pull
First Goodbye
UGLY
Box of Memories

Georgia Webster’s new EP, ‘First Goodbye’ is available now.

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

To keep up with Georgia Webster, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

First Goodbye EP 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.

Tigirlily: Self-titled EP Review | Country Swag

July 9, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Tigirlily’s debut self-titled EP is out today, July 9, on all streaming platforms. Featuring songs co-written by Shane McAnally, Walker Hayes, Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen, and more, check out the full review below.

There’s something extra special about sibling harmonies, and Tigirlily has that something special in spades. Composed of sisters Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh, the pair named their band Tigirlily after a flower in their parents’ North Dakota garden, the tigerlily. According to Country Now, they changed the spelling to add some girl power to their name.

The ladies of Tigirlily list their inspirations as the Chicks, Sugarland, and Rascal Flatts, and their debut EP has that early 2000’s-inspired sound that’s been missing from country music in the last decade. Produced by Shane McAnally and Louis Newman, the Monument Records debut EP features five tracks co-written by the sisters, along with the likes of McAnally, Josh Osborne, Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen, and labelmates Walker Hayes and Brandon Ratcliff.

The EP opens with the twangy “My Thang,” co-written by Hayes, an airy ode to dealing with all the obstacles that life throws at you. “We wrote ‘My Thang’ as a reminder to ourselves that no matter what life throws our way, we’re going to be alright if we just keep “doin’ our thang,” says the duo in a statement. “This song is everything we’ve experienced in our lives, especially in the last year. From ‘barely making rent’ to ‘killing it at work,’ from ‘swiping on tinder’ to being ‘swept off our feet,’ from feeling like ‘oh no’ to ‘it’s gonna be a good day.’ Life is supposed to be full of ups and downs, it’s how we learn, so we should just enjoy and keep doing our thang.”

“Somebody Does” is a powerful message of hope, geared at anyone who’s struggling with day-to-day life. On the heart-stopping ballad, Tigirlily wishes that the listener could see themselves through the eyes of those who love them. It may sound cliche, but this is the type of important country song that the genre needs, offering support and empowerment to its listeners. As cheesy as it may sound, this is the type of song that has the potential to save a life. Over twangy guitars, the pair sings, “I don’t know who needs to hear this // But you should know you’re somebody’s reason // For gettin’ out of bed in the mornin’ // You’re just what somebody’s needin’ // Even if you don’t see it // You better believe you’re somebody’s more than enough // I don’t know who needs to hear this // But I know, somebody does.”

Meanwhile, the trend of struggling through life yet finding solidarity continues on “Everybody’s On Something,” which twists into a love song. Whether it’s a business trip, a diet or a prescription, everybody’s on something, and they “just wish their something was you.”

“Dig Yourself” is a perfectly crafted woman-scorned anthem, the pair singing of an ex who is just a little too full of himself. The girls are moving on here, inviting an ex to dig himself a hole to China, where he may never “find someone who loves you as much as you.” Co-written by Rosen, McAnally, and Osborne, “Dig Yourself” is a polished piece of pop-country perfection, basically engineered for country radio, and that’s not a bad thing.

The Tigirlily self-titled EP ends with “Known You Forever,” a song celebrating enduring friendships and lifelong relationships. The breezy track celebrates those whom “You still know their home phone number by heart // They’ll be there in the end // Because they were there from the start.” Sometimes it takes the perspective of a lifelong friend to make things make sense, and this song truly captures that. “You think you know you // But they know you better,” They sing. “Sometimes you need someone who’s known you forever.”

In a press release, Tigirlily shared “When writing these songs for our EP, we wanted to share hints of who we are as people, artists, and sisters. Our hope is that this EP changes the course of people’s day for the better and brings some light into the world.”

Tigirlily’s self-titled EP does just that, providing songs for the good times and the bad, offering a musical ray of sunshine, perfect for summertime.

Country Swag Picks:

“Dig Yourself”
“My Thang”

Tigirlily EP Tracklist:

My Thang: Written by Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Walker Hayes
Somebody Does: Written by Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Zarni deVette
Dig Yourself: Written by Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Trevor Rosen / Shane McAnally / Josh Osborne
Everybody’s On Something: Written by Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Walker Hayes
Known You Forever: Written by Kendra Jo Slaubaugh / Krista Jade Slaubaugh / Pete Good / Brandon Ratcliff

Tigirlily’s debut EP is out now, July 9th, on all streaming platforms

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

In the next few months, Tigirlily will play shows around Nashville, as well as their home state of North Dakota with some festival stops along the way. For a full list of tour dates, visit their website here.

To keep up with Tigirlily, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Tigirlily EP 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.

Hannah Dasher: ‘The Half Record’ – Review

July 9, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Hannah Dasher’s The Half Record EP is out today, July 9, on all streaming platforms. Featuring tracks such as “Left Right” and “Girls Call the Shots”, check out our full review below.

With a sound and style that’s unapologetically country, Hannah Dasher’s new project, The Half Record, is out today, July 9. Rather than bending to the pop-country sounds that tend to monopolize country radio today, Dasher’s collection of songs is a joyous compilation that pays homage to the biggest names in country, including the likes of Reba, Dolly, Trisha, and Miranda.

Dasher was recently named a member of 2021’s CMT Next Women of Country Music, and The Half Record clearly shows why. Additionally, Dasher co-wrote all but one of the project’s five tracks. She shows her solid writing chops on tracks such as “Leave This Bar,” “Shoes,” and “You’re Gonna Love Me.”

The Half Record opens with the sultry “Leave This Bar,” a rocking mid-tempo telling the tale of the Friday night bar prowl, an ode to looking for someone to head home with. “The beers are real cold // The band sounds good // Everything feels like a Friday night should,” she sings. “Got drinks in the air // We’re dancing in the dark // But everybody’s looking for a reason // To leave this bar.” While some female country singers would probably hesitate to sing on such a seemingly taboo topic, Dasher embraces it here, providing the perfect intro to this EP.

“Left Right ” is asking a man to step up and propose or she’s out. Dasher is through with a wishy-washy dude here, and she sells it perfectly. “It’s time that you made up your mind // Are you in or out?” She asks on the incredibly catchy and clever tune. “You better put a ring on her left right now.”

On “You’re Gonna Love Me,” Dasher embraces who she is, unapologetically herself. “I ain’t for everybody, but I don’t try to be,” she admits on the track. Meanwhile, on “Shoes,” she knows that she’s a catch, as she invites an ex back for a second chance. “If I were in your shoes // Baby, I’d come running back to me.”

Dasher shows her softer side on the EP’s lone ballad, “Girls Call the Shots.” It is a ballad about the impact of women on a man’s life. Nonetheless, guys may buy the drinks and think they rule the roost, but when it comes down to it, it’s girls who make the rules.

In her official bio, Dasher reveals that she was once fired from a job at Bass Pro Shop for writing songs while working. We’re so glad she was. On this debut project, Dasher isn’t introducing herself with a whisper, but with a resounding and welcomed shout. Overall, on The Half Record EP, Dasher is unabashedly herself, equal parts grit and glam, and the result is magical.

Country Swag Picks:

“Left Right”
“Shoes”
“Girls Call The Shots”

The Half Record EP Tracklist:

“Leave This Bar” (Hannah Dasher/ Brandon Hood/ Tim Nichols)
“Left Right” (Hannah Dasher / Wynn Varble / Brandon Hood)
“You’re Gonna Love Me” (Andy Albert / Thomas Archer / Hannah Dasher / Gordie Sampson)
“Shoes” (Hannah Dasher/Trannie Anderson/Jake Rose)
“Girls Call The Shots” (Brad Warren, Brett Warren, David Frasier, Lance Miller)

Hannah Dasher’s ‘The Half Record’ is out now, July 9th

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

To keep up with Hannah Dasher, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

The Half Record 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.

Riley Green: ‘BEHIND THE BAR’ – EP Review

July 2, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Riley Green’s new EP, BEHIND THE BAR, is out today, July 2nd on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Riley Green has been busy during quarantine and since the release of IF IT WASN’T FOR TRUCKS. Over the last year, the singer-songwriter spent time reconnecting with his Alabama roots. The newfound connection is expressively clear on his new project. Green’s brand new EP BEHIND THE BAR is officially out for fans to enjoy.

The record kicks off with the title track. An upbeat and fun song, “Behind The Bar” is an ode to the good life. Green sings about country living, where everyone is drinking and having fun “under the neon stars.” The rowdy song will be the perfect addition to the singer’s setlist.

As the EP transitions, Green begins to pull back the layers, unveiling the life lessons he has learned to the listeners. “That’s What I’ve Been Told” is a simple, poetic country song. The singer shares all the lessons and experiences he has learned throughout his life from influential people through different stages.

“If you’re just saying prayers, then you ain’t praying // If both men ain’t shook hands, then it ain’t sold // When daddy don’t say nothing, you better listen // ‘Cause he won’t be here for long // and that girl ain’t coming back if you let her go // At least that’s what I’ve been told”

Next up is Green’s previously released single “If It Wasn’t For Trucks.” The nostalgic song is an appreciation for everything a truck symbolizes for a good-ole country boy. Without being generic, the singer finds a way to embody love, loss, grief, and risk, while using the common thread of having his truck through all of those emotions.

Continuing to showcase his undeniable talent, “Put ‘Em On Mine” showcases the more flirty and romantic side of the singer. Green flirts opportunity and a potential love interest on the sultry song. Similarly, sentimental and pure, “That Was Us” showcases the love of a place and a person. Green enlists the help of songstress Jessi Alexander, up-leveling the clever song to a duet.

“Like a Tennessee river // A little reckless and a little hell bound // We were tailgate talking about forever // Like our boots would never hit the ground // At the end of that trail of tears and a cloud of dust // Baby, that was us”

The story-telling continues to be the center of the EP with the last two songs off the project. A fan-favorite, “I Let A Damn Good Woman Leave,” showcases Green lamenting about past mistakes in love and in life. Finally, the closing track “That’s My Dixie,” tackles the notion that although country music and country living is laced with prejudice and a checkered past. Green declares that that’s not the country-living he knows.

“It’s who I am // Mr. give a damn // For the ones that came before me // That broken part of a southern heart is more than just Old glory // It’s a star of mind that’s deep and wide and strong as the Mississippi // We sing Amazing Grace and curse the heat // Yeah, that’s my Dixie”

Overall the seven-song project cements Green’s staying power in country music. First and foremost, the artist is a storyteller and songwriter, the true essence of country music. Congrats to Green on a solid record!

Riley Green’s new EP ‘Behind The Bar’ is out now, July 2nd

Country Swag Picks:

“That’s What I’ve Been Told”
“That’s My Dixie”
“That Was Us”

BEHIND THE BAR EP Tracklist:

Behind The Bar
That’s What I’ve Been Told
If It Wasn’t For Trucks
Put ‘Em On Mine
That Was Us
I Let A Damn Good Woman Leave
That’s My Dixie

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

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

BEHIND THE BAR EP 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.

LANCO: ‘HONKY-TONK HIPPIES’ – EP Review

July 2, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

LANCO’s new EP, HONKY-TONK HIPPIES, is out today, July 2nd on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

If there is anything fans should know about the men of LANCO, it is that they love nothing more than performing and recording music. Their new project HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP is the love child of those two priorities. As soon as it was safe, the singers headed to the FAME Studios to record these five songs that they feel fully embody the feeling of performing on stage.

The record kicks off with the title track, a stage-ready hit. “Honky-Tonk Hippies” is groovy, fun, and an exciting sound for LANCO. The new song is gritty, swampy, and has that down-home energy that is hard not to fall in love with. It was clear the band was thinking of how fans would react to it when they wrote and recorded it.

The next song “Wild Again” is a different type of mood, but the energy is still evident. Although slower-paced, the track screams nostalgia. LANCO simultaneously reminisces on past memories, while also looking forward to the new moments. Clearly a quarantine-inspired track, the singers remind us all of our crazy-beautiful memories, while still, making us all look ahead to the wild memories we have yet to make.

“I’ve lived some life, but I think the best is yet to come // Make a quick stop at the Quickstop, grab a cold one // Cause tonight, yeah tonight // I’m going to call my baby and all my friends, tell them let’s get it started”

The vibe is continued with the next two songs “Moonlight Mingle” and “I Need A Beer.” Like the other songs on the record, both of these killer jams were tracked live to showcase the real energy of the band. The former is a dance-ready track, while the latter will put every listener into a party-ready mood.

The record culminates with “Price to Pay,” an acoustic song. With simple vocal and guitar strumming, the song is mesmerizing. Of course, a minute in, the band layers all of their vocals in to add to the unique appeal. We bet that fans will be singing this song along with the group during their live shows!

“So you like all the songs on your country radio // If you want to sing along there’s some things you should know // May not be for all but if you want to call it the dream // There’s a different side of this life in the songs that we sing”

LANCO outdid themselves with HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP! The record is pure heart, fun, and joy. It is clear that the guys poured themselves into these five songs, and we can only imagine how much better it will all be in person during a live show! Congrats to the entertainers on an incredible project.

LANCO’s new EP, ‘Honky-Tonk Hippies’ is out now, July 2nd

HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP Tracklist:

Honky-Tonk Hippies- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
Wild Again- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Chandler Baldwin, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
Moonlight Mingle- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton & Tate Howell)
I Need A Beer (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
Price You Pay (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Chandler Baldwin, Jared Hampton, Eric Steedly, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)

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

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

HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP 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.

Jimmie Allen Releases Gold Edition of Collaboration Album: ‘Bettie James’

June 25, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Caleigh DeCaprio

Jimmie Allen adds nine collaborations to his already successful project, Bettie James on the new Gold Edition. Available now, June 25th, on all streaming platforms, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

The original seven-track project was an incredible collaborative piece on its own including duets with Nelly, Mickey Guyton, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Charley Pride, Tauren Wells, Rita Wilson and The Oakridge Boys, and Noah Cyrus. Now, Allen adds 9 more tracks to the collection including collaborations with LOCASH, LANCO, Pitbull, Breland and Lathan Warlick, Monica and Little Big Town, Neon Union, Lindsay Ell, and Babyface.

Not only has Allen established several relationships with artists across the genre and the industry, but this collective work alone has demonstrated his musical range across genres and his infectious personality based on his credibility and relationships with some of the best in the industry. Allen adds his own unique style in each song that meshes differently based on the other artist’s sound, making this project a unique mix of one-of-a-kind sounds.

Allen’s songs with LOCASH and LANCO, “Get Country” and “Home Sweet Hometown”, respectively are lyrically classic country songs but form into each group’s own distinctive sound in country music. They’re about getting back to your roots and what you know and going back to and never forgetting your hometown.

“Home Sweet Hometown // where you keep your first sins // your amens // your kinfolks // your old friends // Home Sweet Hometown // everybody’s got one // or forgot one // aor maybe they’re still calling one // yeah we all try to leave this place and chase some big dreams down // but the world could leave a bitter taste without // Home Sweet Hometown”

Allen’s song with Keith Urban, “Boy Gets A Truck”, is a cover of a deep cut from Urban’s Ripcord album. The two artists duet on the song bringing new life to an already incredible song. It’s a love story told through a hand-me-down truck.

“A boy gets a truck, truck gets a girl, girl gets a midnight feeling he’s the one // one night turns to love, love turns into one knee down, down payment on a three-bedroom house // filled with the sound of little feet, then you blink and he’s asking for the keys to pick her up”

“Somebody” with Breland, already a trailblazer in country music, and Lathan Warlick is a cross-genre song with notes of trap and pop. Allen then slows things down in “Pray” with Monica and Little Big Town and broadcasts his vocals in ways that have been less common for him thus far in past works.

No two songs of this project sound the same or follow the same path yet Allen is able to combine them all into this incomparable project and form them to his own sound. As if the original album didn’t get us excited enough for future Allen music, his Gold Edition speaks for itself in his ability to make a name for himself and carve his own space in country music.

Jimmie Allen’s ‘Bettie James Gold Edition’ is out now, June 25th

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

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

Bettie James Gold Edition 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.

Ben Gallaher: ‘Every Small Town’ – EP Review

June 25, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Ben Gallaher’s new EP, Every Small Town, is out today, June 25th on all streaming platforms. Featuring “Never Get Old” and the anthemic title track, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

For Quartz Hill Records artist Ben Gallaher, June 25 marks the release of his debut EP, Every Small Town. The singer-songwriter-guitarist co-wrote all five songs on the collection, which includes the anthemic title track. Produced by Mickey Jack Cone and Derek George, the album also features songs co-written by Nashville heavyweights including Ash Bowers, Joey Hyde, and more.

The EP opens with the title track, an electrifying ode to the small towns that make up the backbone of America. This song is perfect for summer and it’s impossible not to picture it behind a moving video montage showing off the best of humanity in the U.S.A. We cannot wait to hear this one in concert as it’s the kind of track that lends itself perfectly to a live show.

“In every small town // In America, we’re the backbone // We’re the rock this country was built on // We’re the underdog // We’re the little guy // With the flag flying high 365,” he sings.

“We’re the wake up with the sun // Go and get the job done // Cold beer crowd // In every small town in America”

“Get On One” came from a guitar riff Gallaher couldn’t stop playing that became a full song in two hours during a writing session with Hyde and Mike Walker. Unlike most love songs, “Get On One” is an uptempo and not a ballad, but the sentiment is still there. Meanwhile, “Town Ain’t Dry” deals with heartbreak, Gallaher seeking to mend a broken heart in the bottom of a bottle. As he thinks about drinking his sorrows away, he muses how grateful he is to not live in a dry town.

“Never Get Old” celebrates the things in life that are timeless to us, impossible to get tired of.

“But cold beer, hot summer nights // Good guys winnin’ fights // Friday hittin’ five, cashin’ that paycheck // Born in the USA // Advice my old man gave // Amazing grace and the letters in red // A bottle of whiskey, the way that you kiss me,” he sings.

“The war stories grand-daddy told // They never get old”

The album’s closing track, “Til’ It’s Yours,” allows Gallaher to show off a different side from the full-throttle uptempo songs on this power ballad. Like “Every Small Town” and “Never Get Old,” “Til’ It’s Yours” is a track about appreciating the smaller things in one’s life. According to an interview with WITF Music, Gallaher was inspired to write the song on a trip through Kansas. “It just got me thinking. Things, in general, mean more to you when they’re yours…To somebody else, it doesn’t have any value but if it’s yours it means everything. And I couldn’t get that concept out of my head.”

For Gallaher, this EP is a celebration of life. “To me, country music is the soundtrack to everyday life,” he says in a statement. “That’s what these songs are about: the American spirit, family, community, love, loss, God, hard work, and being proud of who you are and where you’re from.”

Every Small Town is an EP about embracing and enjoying the simple things in life. From celebrating small towns to enjoying the things that are truly yours, Gallaher embraces them all here, and we expect to be blasting these songs all summer long.

Ben Gallaher’s new EP, ‘Every Small Town’ is out now, June 25th

Every Small Town EP Tracklist:

Every Small Town – Ben Gallaher, Ash Bowers, Jim Collins
Get On One – Ben Gallaher, Joey Hyde, Mike Walker
Never Get Old – Ben Gallaher, Derrick Southerland, Andrew Jacob Pruis
Town Ain’t Dry – Ben Gallaher, Mark Irwin, Shane Minor
Til’ It’s Yours – Ben Gallaher, Billy Montana, Jared Mullins

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

To keep up with Ben Gallaher, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Every Small Town 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.

Lady A: ‘What A Song Can Do (Chapter One)’ – Review

June 25, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Lady A’s new project, What A Song Can Do (Chapter One), is out now, June 25th on all streaming platforms. Featuring seven new tracks by the GRAMMY-Award winners, including “Like A Lady,” take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Lady A is going back to basics, embracing what made the band a success in its earliest days on their new collection of music, What A Song Can Do (Chapter One), out today, June 25. Produced by the legendary Dann Huff, the seven-track project features the harmonies and musical styles that made Lady A one of country music’s hottest groups.

Fueled by the events of 2020, each song on What A Song Can Do is co-written by at least one member of the band, alongside some of country’s biggest hitmakers. Other big-name writers on the EP include Ryan Hurd, Natalie Hemby, Nicolle Galyon, Dave Barnes, Thomas Rhett, and more.

On the EP’s title track, the trio celebrates the amazing powers of a great song, as they muse “Ain’t it crazy what a song can do?” Featuring Charles Kelley on lead with Hillary Scott’s perfect accompaniment, the track is Lady A at its finest. A simple song has the power to change one’s mood or even change one’s life, and this song, written by Kelley, Sam Ellis, Hurd, and Laura Veltz, does just that, immediately sure to lift a listener’s spirits.

The collection’s first track, “Talk of this Town,” shows Lady A dealing with heartbreak in a unique way. Over the melancholy music and haunting drumline, Scott and Kelley trade verses about how they no longer want to be the topic of town gossip. Written by Scott, Kelley, Dave Haywood, Galyon, and Jordan Reynolds, the song finds the pair praying for anything to happen in their small town to distract people from their breakup. “Baby I could get over you,” They sing.“If you and I could be old news.”

“Like A Lady,” is a perfect female empowerment track, as evidenced by the band’s performance at the CMT Awards, which featured other female powerhouses including Carly Pearce and Lindsay Ell. Meanwhile, “Chance of Rain” wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Lady A’s earliest albums, and that’s a good thing. Written by Haywood and Kelley with Topher Brown and Justin Ebach, the song is about taking chances and embracing life.

“Never going all in ’cause you’re scared of goodbye // Is like never seeing Paris ’cause you’re scared to fly,” they sing.“Never falling in love’ cause a chance of pain // Is like never seeing summer ’cause a chance of rain.”

Lady A is more introspective on “Things He Handed Down” and “Worship What I Hate.” On the former, they sing about the wise words of wisdom handed down from a father or grandfather, in a way that’s remnant of Chris Young’s “Voices.” Meanwhile, on the EP’s final track, “Worship What I Hate,” Lady A tackles tougher subjects, including body image, alcoholism, and technology addiction. With Scott on lead, the track is a moving and much-needed look at how easy it is to fall into unhealthy habits and begin worshipping the things we claim to hate. “I keep looking at myself in the mirror // Hoping it will change,” she sings. “And I keep wishing for a brand-new body // That I didn’t have to blame.”

On What A Song Can Do (Chapter One), Lady A truly embraces the EP’s title, offering a collection that embodies everything music can do. There are songs here that can make you dance, make you cry, shake the ground, and steal your breath. Ain’t it crazy what a song, and a great chapter of music, can do?

Lady A’s new project, ‘What A Song Can Do (Chapter One)’ is out now, June 25th

What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) Track List

“Talk Of This Town” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
“What A Song Can Do” | Charles Kelley, Sam Ellis, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz
“Like A Lady” | Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson, Brandon Paddock
“Things He Handed Down” | Charles Kelley, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett
“Fire” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Justin Ebach
“Chance Of Rain” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Topher Brown, Justin Ebach
“Worship What I Hate” | Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Natalie Hemby, Amy Wadge

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

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

What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) 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.

Brian Kelley: Sunshine State of Mind – Album Review

June 25, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Dylan Bestler

Brian Kelley’s debut solo album, Sunshine State of Mind is out now, June 25th, on all streaming platforms. This beach-inspired project features seventeen tracks, including the four off the EP, BK’s Wave Pack. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the collection of music.

Back in April, we got a taste of what style of music Brian Kelley, who serves as one half of the GRAMMY-nominated duo, Florida Georgia Line, was gearing up to release with his forthcoming solo project. This time without long-time bandmate, Tyler Hubbard. Although the same feel-good vibes are present throughout the record, Kelley’s lyrics are delivered in a much calmer and tropical essence. He truly embraces his Florida roots in this collection of island-themed tracks.

The album starts off with the relaxing “Boat Names,” in which the singer takes his girl to the dock to check out all the boats. He promises her that one day he’ll have his own boat he can name after her. This is followed by the previously released “Made By The Water,” as he portrays a perfect day at the beach with the love of his life.

Aside from island life, love is another major theme on the album. Kelley shows gratitude for his wife on numerous tracks including “Fish All Day,” “Say The Word,” and “Songs For You.” Kelley puts his country roots on display in the traditional sounding “Fish All Day.” According to Kelley, fishing all day and loving all night is the perfect recipe for a wonderful day.

“Say The Word” is a low-tempo, sexy song in which the couple just got home from their beach vacation, referring to it as “heaven on earth.” However, they immediately miss the sun, waves, and sand beneath their feet. He reassures her by agreeing to go back anytime she wants. In “Songs For You,” the singer serenades his girl by playing the songs he wrote for her. With the sun going down behind them on the beach, he describes this as “a picture-perfect end to a day.”

Country singers often sing about driving their truck down backroads and on highways with their lover riding shotgun, but in Kelley’s songs, they’re on the water and he and the girl are captain and co-captain of the ship. In “Highway On The Water,” he explains why this is his preference — there’s never any traffic and they can float at their own pace. Kelley understands that boats can bring out different moods in different people; some like to party and some just like to relax. The tempo changes song by song. While this song is upbeat and contains a heavy amount of fiddle, “Boat Ride” is much calmer and includes a backing ukulele. “By Boat” is a mid-tempo track in which Kelley is in awe of his view from his boat of the sunset kissing the ocean, and if he’s ever going to get to heaven, it won’t be by stairway, it’ll be by boat.

Although the general sound on this album is much different than the typical Florida Georgia Line one, several songs, such as “Real Good Day” and “Party On The Beach” are reminiscent of it. The former leans hip-hop and simply describes what makes a good day; drinking by a bonfire and listening to George Strait on the speaker with good friends and attractive women. “Party On The Beach,” which was previously released, includes sounds from a traditional Hawaiian luau and a screeching seagull. Both are perfect songs to throw on your beach playlist.

“Good times, good vibes, good people // Sittin’ ’round a fire, gettin’ higher than a seagull // Every flip floppin’ day of the week // Yeah, it’s a party on the beach”

Kelley brings the good vibes across this entire album, but there are a few songs that are very personal to him, including “Sunburnt,” “Don’t Take Much,” and the album’s closer “Florida Boy Forever.” “Sunburnt” sounds like a true story about their relationship. They met by the water, fell in love by the water, and celebrated their marriage by the water. In “Don’t Take Much,” he reflects on his seven years of marriage, realizing that all he needs is her, some sand, and a blanket full of stars above them. In the final track, driven by banjo, he discusses what growing up in Ormond Beach was like; catching crayfish and playing baseball. Although he had to leave to pursue his career and see the world, he knows that he’ll never stray too far from his roots.

“Carolina, Mississippi, always keep that sunshine with me // Sure as waves crash on the shore, I’ll be a Florida boy forever, I know”

If you like conflict in music, you won’t get it on this album. However, listeners can learn a lot about Kelley on these seventeen tracks. Since Florida Georgia Line burst into country music in the early 2010s, Hubbard has been the predominant voice on most of their songs, especially on their last two albums. It was nice to hear Kelley be the center of attention for a change.

Maybe one day, we’ll see Kelley on the road as a solo artist. His tropical presence would match up perfectly with artists such as Kenny Chesney or Jake Owen. For now, Kelley and Hubbard will tour as Florida Georgia Line this fall on their I Love My Country Tour with Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina, and Redferrin. For tickets, head to their website.

Country Swag Picks:

Boat Names
Sunburnt
By Boat
Made By The Water
Sunday Service In The Sand

Brian Kelley’s new album, ‘Sunshine State of Mind’ is out now, June 25th

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

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

Sunshine State of Mind 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.

LAKEVIEW: ‘Small Town Famous’ – EP Review

June 25, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

LAKEVIEW’s debut EP, SMALL TOWN FAMOUS is available now, June 25th, on all streaming platforms now. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

For the last year and a half, we have been loving everything the duo LAKEVIEW has to offer. The singer-songwriters showcase their undeniable charm and talent in each and every song they release. Today LAKEVIEW’s Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy officially dropped their debut EP project, perfectly titled SMALL TOWN FAMOUS.

In just five songs the men manage to share exactly who they are as artists, heavily leaning into their rock influences on the tracks. Every song off the record was co-written and co-produced by the pair. The project kicks off with their party-ready jam, “Poor Me.” The song begins slow but steadily transitions into an epic melody. The track also boasts the record’s title in a lyric.

“Take one down, pass it around // ‘Cause damn we need another round // Drinks on ice and the Friday night lights // The boys and me we shut it down // We say hey yeah, living like we’re small town famous // Out here we just take one down, pass it around // Oh poor me, pour me up another round”

The record transitions into another high-energy song “Hits Different.” Fans really hear the country come out in this song, and we’re sure it’s going to be a crowd favorite at live shows. The song is a tribute to country living.

Another fan-favorite is of course, their song “She Drove Me To The Bar.” Although it is a song about drinking to get over heartbreak, the men somehow manage to bring a unique perspective to the lyrics. The clever wordplay is enough to make us fall in love with the tune.

“‘Cause I swear she’s messin’ with my head // Turnin’ every single street light red // But when I see that neon sign // I know I’ll be alright // I’m going to the bar tonight”

The EP also includes two brand new tracks, “Do It All Again” and “Drink With My Friends.” The former is a nostalgic song you’re going to want to groove to. When the chorus hits, it feels reminiscent of Florida Georgia Line’s sound in the best way. Similarly, “Drink With My Friends” makes you feel nostalgic for simpler times. The song has summer written all over it even though the lyrical content starts off more melancholy in the beginning. We cannot wait to blast this one through the speakers!

Overall, LAKEVIEW’s debut project is super solid! Every single song makes you want to hear more from the singers. We’re excited to see what comes down the pipeline next for the duo.

LAKEVIEW’s new EP ‘Small Town Famous’ out now, June 25th

SMALL TOWN FAMOUS EP Track List:
1. “Poor Me” (Jesse Denaro, Luke Healy, Cody Quistad)
2. “She Drove Me To The Bar” (Jesse Denaro, Luke Healy, Dave Thompson)
3. “Hits Different” – (Jesse Denaro, Luke Healy, Quint Collins, Jake Rose)
4. “Do It All Again” (Jesse Denaro, Luke Healy, Cody Quistad)
5. “Drink With My Friends” – (Jesse Denaro, Luke Healy, Quint Collins)

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

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

SMALL TOWN FAMOUSEP 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.