Ashley-cooke-ep

Ashley Cooke: Already Drank That Beer – Side A – EP Review

/in , , , /by

Ashley Cooke releases her debut EP titled Already Drank That Beer – Side A,  out today, August 27th on all streaming platforms.  Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

Up and coming talent, Ashley Cooke has garnered millions of fans over the last year. Her heartfelt vulnerability has left a mark on country music lovers everywhere. Today, Cooke released her debut EP Already Drank That Beer – Side A, available on all streaming platforms.

With just eight songs, Cooke manages to showcase her personality, talent, and story all at once. The record kicks off with the song “Gettin’ Somewhere,” written by Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers, and Alysa Vanderheym. The fun-loving opener sets the tone for the songstress’ talent.

“Feels like we’re kinda late to the party // ‘Cause now it’s just getting started tonight // We’ve been riding around this little town // With the window down all night long // We’ve been taking our time // Doin’ fifty-five in a sixty-five to the right songs”

Cooke slows it down for the next two songs on the project, “Under” and “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night.” Both songs were hits with fans on social media before their releases. The former, one of the best on the project, utilizes wordplay to convey heartbreak. While, “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” one of Cooke’s breakout hits, shares how it feels to be missing your ex.

On the title track, the singer-songwriter showcases her vocals and vulnerability yet again. The song expresses how easy it is to fall back in love with someone for just the night, even though it is not good for you. The relatability of this song is somber, yet so real.

“We could drink the night away, chasing that buzz // And talk about Bourbon Street and how hard it was // fall right back together like we don’t know better // Like we, we ain’t been here // It’s too bad, baby, we already drank that beer”

Cooke continues to grapple with that push-pull, break-up on “Opposite of Love.” One of the five tracks that the singer had a hand in writing, the song displays how it feels to still love someone, even though you’re trying not to. Cooke tackles a similar topic in her duet with Jimmie Allen, “Good Goodbye.”

Interestingly, Cooke revels in the moving on on “First Time, Last Night.” The song conveys how good it feels to finally be out at a familiar place and not drinking to forget, but just drinking to have fun. This song reminds us all that eventually, we do move on.

The final song on the new EP is an acoustic ballad titled “Never Til Now.” Cooke pours her heart out to her fans on this song. Co-written by the singer with Matt Roy, the track is arguably the most vulnerable on the project. She shares the joys of love and settling down, something she thought she would never do or find. The song is the perfect way to end the expressive and emotive record.

According to Cooke, “These songs are pages out of my journal put to music. They’re my stories over the last year or so, and they feel like an extension of me.” This is the perfect way to sum up the project. Cooke hits the nail on the head with this stellar debut!

Already Drank That Beer – Side A EP Tracklist:

  1. Gettin’ Somewhere
  2. Under
  3. Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night
  4. Already Drank That Beer
  5. Opposite of Love
  6. Good Goodbye (feat. Jimmie Allen)
  7. First Time, Last Night
  8. Never Til Now
Ashley-cooke-ep

Ashley Cooke’s new EP ‘Already Drank That Beer – Side A,’ is out now

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

To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Already Drank That Beer – Side A 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.

Nelly-60-seconnds

[Interview] Nelly Drops Country-Inspired Album – Full Review

/in , , , /by

Nelly’s brand new country-inspired album Heartland is officially available everywhere you listen to music today, August 27th. Featuring “Good Times Roll” with Jimmie Allen, the top 5 cross-genre hit “Lil Bit” with Florida Georgia Line, and seven other country-inspired tracks, check out our full review and interview below.

If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably heard Nelly all over mainstream radio, known for hit songs such as “Just A Dream,” “Hot In Herre,” “Country Grammar,” and many others. Although hip-hop was his passion, being raised in St. Louis, Nelly was introduced to all types of music. Over the past year or so, Nelly has really been embracing his country roots.

He has previously collaborated with some of Nashville’s biggest stars such as Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Brett Kissel, and Jimmie Allen. Even at the peak of Nelly’s career he was exploring the country genre, having Tim McGraw join him on his song, “Over and Over,” featuring on the remix of Florida Georgia Line’s 11x Platinum smash hit, “Cruise,” and even recording a cover of Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man.” Upon starting his music career, however, he never envisioned that he would be here, making a country-inspired album.

“When I did Country Grammar, what I noticed was that I was getting booked in front of different crowds,” he explained in an interview with Country Swag. “One minute I’m booked over here and DMX is headlining and then another minute I’m booked over here but Tim McGraw is headlining, but it’s the same album.” He continued: “I was getting so much love from the country community ever since Country Grammar came out…I didn’t know it would lead me to this moment but I knew it was something special.”

The album starts with the two previously released tracks, “Lil’ Bit” with Florida Georgia Line, and “High Horse” with Breland and Blanco Brown. The latter uses more R&B/funk sounds than country or hip-hop. Brown takes the chorus Nelly raps the verses, and Breland provides backing lyrics, showing off his talented vocals. The trio performed their new song on Jimmy Kimmel earlier this week. Watch below…

“Grits and Glamour” is another track that blends R&B into its sound. Nelly and Kane Brown sing about a woman who can pull off any style and look, from the rough country scene to a night out on the town. She has high standards though, so you might need a little bit of money to take her out.

“She’s grits and glamour from Alabama // She’s small-town chic and that’s all I need // Grits and glamour, she’s got standards // Her love ain’t cheap, so work all week”

City Spud, who featured on Nelly’s 2000 hit song, “Ride Wit Me” joins him and Darius Rucker on “Ms. Drive Me Crazy.” These lyrics portray a common scenario that occurred in many early-2010s country songs—the girl riding shotgun in the man’s Chevy is looking so fine, it makes it hard to focus on the road and steer. Rucker’s deep, southern voice fits very well on this track as he sings the chorus. Tyler Hubbard appears again on the record, providing vocals on “Country Boy Do,” a simple ode to the country boy lifestyle. Both Hubbard and Nelly rap their parts.

 “5 Drinks Ago” is the only song on the record that doesn’t have a feature. In this track, the singer is at a bar trying to have a good time and not think about his ex. Although his intentions were good at first, five drinks later he is back to obsessing about her.

“That was five drinks ago, five drinks ago // When you were just somebody that I used to know // When I was good and sober, we were good and over // said I wouldn’t think about you // but that was five drinks go”

“Follow Me” and “Someone Somewhere” are the most ‘country’ songs on the project, with moments of reflection and adventure and minimal elements of hip-hop. In the former, Nelly sings about slowing things down and taking time to enjoy the things and people in life you love. Country newcomer, Chris Bandi features on this track. The latter is about pouring one out for those who are struggling, going through hardships, or are no longer with us. Nelly and TikTok country star George Birge sing over a modest, acoustic melody. 

“Pour a little out for someone somewhere, try to find a little bit of light in the dark // Someone somewhere, trying to move on from a broken heart // Everyone gotta miss somebody, everybody’s gotta go through a little hell // for the ones that didn’t make it to the party”

“What really allowed me to get to do this project was the pandemic because it allowed to me time to sit down and think about how I was going to take these blessings I was getting from this whole different genre of music and salute them for showing me the love, and that’s basically what this album is: it’s my salute to the whole country world for showing Nelly so much love.”

This project has been a long time coming for Nelly, but to make a country/rap album work, you have to be very creative and willing to adapt. It’s hard to stay relevant in music for over twenty years, but he has been one of the most unique and innovative artists of our time. Whether it’s his first and last country-inspired project or the beginning of a new era, we are 100% on board with this version of the talented rapper.

 “Evolution is inevitable, so people have to get with it or—and I hate to say it—their time is ticking as far as them being remembered. Because if you don’t embrace the change in some way, shape, or form, then eventually when the era of people who supported you are gone, you get left behind as well,” he adds in our recent chat.

Heartland Tracklist

  1. Lil Bit ft. Florida Georgia Line
  2. High Horse ft. Breland and Blanco Brown
  3. Grits and Glamour ft. Kane Brown
  4. Ms. Drive Me Crazy ft. Darius Rucker and City Spud
  5. Country Boy Do ft. Tyler Hubbard
  6. Someone Somewhere ft. George Birge
  7. Five Drinks Ago
  8. Follow Me ft. Chris Bandi
  9. Good Times Roll (Jimmie Allen ft. Nelly)
Nelly-heartland-album

Nelly’s country-inspired record ‘Heartland’ is out now

Nelly will be appearing on a new episode of CMT Crossroads alongside Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Breland, and more, premiering September 1st. He also just announced new tour dates with supporting help from Blanco Brown and Harper Grace. For tickets, head to his website.

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

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

Heartland 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.

king-calaway-midnight

King Calaway: ‘Midnight’ – EP Review

/in , , , /by

King Calaway’s new EP, Midnight is out now, August 27th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

After nearly a two-year hiatus, boyband turned country group, King Calaway has released brand new music; their four-track extended play titled Midnight is out now, August 27th on all streaming platforms via Stoney Creek Records.

King Calaway is a 5-piece band comprised of original members Caleb Miller, Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Chad Michael Jervis, and Austin Luther. They made a splash into the country music scene when they released their debut project Rivers (produced by Ross Copperman and Robert Deaton) in October of 2019. The project featured a mix of romantic love songs, agonizing heartbreak ballads, and fun, pop-inspired tracks, including the top 50 single “World For Two.” The group brings the same energy and vibe with these four new tracks, “Homegrown,” “More People,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Good Time To Me.”

King Calaway tried something on this EP that they didn’t on their debut album; write their own songs. Chad Michael Jervis penned the first track, “Homegrown,” with Kevin Griffin. In this southern-rock anthem, the singer proclaims he can’t wait to head home to his girl after a long time away. The bridge features an extended electric guitar solo.

“Yeah it’s been a long road, need a little homegrown // Little bit of you is all I really need, some of that small-town company // Got a southern summer night, where you dance to make a fuse ignite”

The next two tracks were co-written by Dumas; “More People” and “Heartbreaker.” The former is a calm, acoustic tune in which the band describes what kind of people we need more of in the world—ones who learn to forgive, call a friend on their busiest day, get to know strangers by inviting them over for a beer, and would pay for a single mother’s groceries.

“Heartbreaker” is a very produced track about a woman who only uses guys when she’s lonely. The man in the song gives in to her beauty, even though he knows she will just break his heart in the end. The verses give off an old-western vibe with its backing strings and steel guitar. 

The final song features rising female artist, Lainey Wilson and was penned by Nashville stars such as Corey Crowder (Florida Georgia Line), Steven Lee Olsen (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”), Russell Dickerson, and Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Good Time To Me” has classic country sounds with heavy bass and percussion. King Calaway and Wilson paint the picture of a perfect night at the bar. Her drawl in the second verse and chorus adds to this authentic honky-tonk feel.

“And it sounds like a good time, like music to my beers // Like the soundtrack to a good night, that’s all I want to hear // I love the sound of neon buzzing, whiskey pouring in my drink // If it sounds anything like that it sounds like a damn good time to me”

The band celebrated the release of Midnight with a live show at the Brooklyn Bowl Nashville last night. 

Midnight is the result of many months spent diving into new creative and sonic spaces,” the band said in a recent press release. “We carefully crafted these songs with our live show in mind, and it’s only fitting that we get to share them for the first time live from Nashville.”

Midnight Tracklist

  1. Homegrown (Chad Michael Jervis, Kevin Griffin)
  2. More People (Simon Dumas, Ryan Lafferty, Tina Parol Gemza)
  3. Heartbreaker (Simon Dumas, Neil Medley, Dave Cohen)
  4. Good Time To Me ft. Lainey Wilson (Charles Kelley, Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder, Steven Lee Olsen)

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

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

Midnight 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.

niko-moon-new-album

Niko Moon: ‘Good Time’ – Album Review

/in , , , /by

Niko Moon’s debut album, Good Time is available everywhere today, August 27th. This 14-track project perfectly portrays the positive vibes and ‘glass half full’ perspective that Moon aims to bring to his music and to his fans.  Check out the full review below.

We here at Country Swag have been fans of Niko Moon since he first hit the country music scene. We got to know the talented singer-songwriter back in 2019 with our Swag Spotlight Interview. At the time, Moon had just begun exploring the performing side of his artistry as previously Moon had success solely as a songwriter. At that point, he had already had four number one hits with Zac Brown Band (“Loving You Easy”, “Homegrown”, “Beautiful Drug” and “Keep Me in Mind”) and one with Rascal Flatts (“Back to Life”), but had yet to release the now several songs that we know and love by him, as a recording artist.

Later in 2020, Moon joined us in New York City for a Live Swag Session, where he played some songs for us and sat down for an interview. Check it out in the video below.

With the release of his full-length project, Moon includes previously released tracks that have become fan-favorites and remain standouts on the album. Moon’s very first number one song as a recording artist, “Good Time” serves as the title track of the album and joins his most recent release “Small Town State of Mind” along with “No Sad Songs”, “Paradise to Me”,  “Dance With Me”, “Drunk Over You”, “Way Back” and “Good At Loving You”.

The project adds six additional songs from the artist, including a cover of Travis Tritt’s “It’s A Great Day to be Alive”, a song that perfectly encapsulates Moon’s entire perspective on life and the vibe he brings to his music, and thus is the perfect song to close out his debut album.

Moon’s love for his wife, Anna, who is both a writing partner and a pop artist herself, is woven through the entire project. Songs like “Good At Loving You”, “Dance With Me” and “Last Call” each show this in their own way.

“Yeah I spill more than most people drink // Wake up and don’t remember a thing // The band is playing their last song // While all the lights are coming on // Yeah if lovers are like alcohol, girl you’re my last call”

“Let it Ride” is a chill, go-with-the-flow song much like “Good Time” and “Paradise to Me” but with greater meaning.

“Let it ride, let it roll, feels good just to let it go // No I ain’t got time to think about the things I can’t control // Let it in, let it out, ain’t a thing that I’m worried about // Just gonna sit right here and watch the sun go down “

“Without Saying A Word” is a song for his dad, and is a more emotional and authentic song than what we are used to hearing from Moon. It is about all the lessons that his dad taught him, without saying a word.

“Best believe that I’m still reaching // For that silent bar he set // And I won’t give up, trying to live up // to the things he never said”

Moon is currently on the What A Song Can Do Tour with Lady A, which kicked off this summer and runs through early Fall. For tour dates and tickets, click here.

Good Things Tracklist

  1. No Sad Songs
  2. Way Back
  3. Paradise to Me
  4. Last Call
  5. Dance with Me
  6. Good Time
  7. Let it Ride
  8. She Ain’t You
  9. Small Town State of Mind
  10. Good At Loving You
  11. Without Saying A Word
  12. Drunk Over You
  13. Diamond
  14. It’s A Great Day to Be Alive
niko-moon-new-album

Niko Moon’s debut album ‘Good Time,’ is available now

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

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

Good Time 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.

Boy Named Banjo: Circles – EP Review

/in , , , /by

Boy Named Banjo release their newest EP titled Circles, out today, August 27th on all streaming platforms.  Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

Making their major-label debut, Boy Named Banjo is a country music band that you are going to want to remember. The bluegrass-inspired act are unique, innovative, and their music feels just like home. Today, Boy Named Banjo release their brand new EP Circles.

Kicking off the project with “Only You Know,” Boy Named Banjo show off their Kings of Leon and Mumford and Sons vibes. The opening track is fun, quirky, and catchy. It depicts the story of only one person knowing all your secrets and idiosyncrasies, but it still does not work out.

The band slows it down a bit with “Feel For You.” The previously released song is a beautiful love song. Reminiscent of the romance from The Cadillac Three’s song “White Lightning,” the song is exquisite. Boy Named Banjo showcase their ability to weave together lyrics and craft a song that everyone will want to fall in love to.

“No words are right I can’t describe the sun tracing your outline // And just a touch that’s enough to burn me down and get me high // Yeah, you hit me like a heart attack // Like a lightning crack // Every time you leave you got me being come back”

“Too Close” leans into the more modern-country side of the band’s talent. The wordplay with the phrase “too close” is crafted in such a way that only Boy Named Banjo could do. The song will make you believe in the power of love. Similarly, the title track “Circles” will make you feel and features clever wordplay. However, in this song, the singers share how it feels to get lost in the wake of a breakup.

“Am I ever gonna get out // Am I ever gonna get out? // Here I go // I’m standing right outside your door // Say I won’t // I probably will a thousand more // Here I go // I’m standing right outside your door”

Next up, “Where The Night Goes” features almost bluegrass mixed with slight electronic vibes. The love song is simple, yet special. On “Keep Lying To Me,” Boy Named Banjo explains how it feels to experience unrequited love. With lyrics like “chasing down a moon rock” and “I’m just a stepping stone to get you where you want to go,” the band reflects on not wanting to let go.

Finally, the record ends with one of our favorite songs off the project, “Go Out Dancing.” Although it is unclear if the singers wrote the song in the wake of the pandemic, it feels extremely pertinent. With a society that is so unclear and many natural disasters happening, “Go Out Dancing” is the simple song we all needed. The opening lyric “we woke up to a world on fire,” is the perfect way to start the song. Poetic and emotive, the love song is definitely a standout.

Overall, Boy Named Banjo delivers a record that is unlike anything else out there right now. The men are both talented and innovative. With a clear passion for music and multiple genres, Boy Named Banjo, and their EP Circles, is the pinnacle of artistry.

Circles EP Tracklist:

  1. Only You Know (Barton Davies, Jon Sherwood, William Reames) 
  2. Feel For You (Barton Davies, William Reames, Michael Whitworth, Dan Fernandez)
  3. Too Close (Barton Davies, William Reames, Tim Bruns, Jon Sherwood)
  4. Circles (William Reames, Oscar Charles, Jon Sherwood)
  5. Where The Night Goes (Barton Davies, William Reames, Benjamin Simonetti, Jon Sherwood) 
  6. Keep Lying To Me (Barton Davies, William Reames, Benjamin Simonetti, Jon Sherwood)
  7. Go Out Dancing (Barton Davies, William Reames, Oscar Charles, Jon Sherwood)

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

To keep up with Boy Named Banjo, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Circles 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.

Nelly-60-seconnds

5 Things to Expect from Nelly’s Country-Inspired Upcoming Album

/in , , , /by

Superstar Nelly is going country! His country-inspired album, Heartland is due out this Friday, August 27th. It features collaborations with country artists like Blanco Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Darius Rucker, Chris Bandi, and more. After chatting with the megastar, we are giving you the inside scoop about what to expect from the brand new project.

Nelly - Heartland

Nelly’s country-inspired project ‘Heartland’ is due out this Friday, August 27th

  1. Nelly may not have listened to country music growing up, but he was still a country music fan.

“The way that I kinda got turned on to country music,” he shares, “my uncle was the one that turned me on to music, but what he made sure to do was he taught me to appreciate all music. All music is good.”

 

  1. His hit record Country Grammar inadvertently inspired his connection to country music and country music fans.

“I was getting so much love from the country music community ever since Country Grammar came out, they had been rocking with me. I didn’t know it would lead me to this moment, but I definitely knew that it was something special.”

 

  1. Heartland came to fruition due to the time Nelly got to create during the pandemic.

“What really allowed me to do this project was the pandemic. It allowed me time to sit down and think about how I was going to take these blessings from this whole different genre of music and salute them for showing me the love.” He declared later, “This album is my salute to the whole country world for showing Nelly so much love.”

 

  1. The new record is country-inspired because Nelly will never quite identify himself as a country artist.

 “I’m just trying to tell my story and rock out, but the thing is my story connected with so many people that it allowed me to do this project today.”

 

5. The incredible collaborations were done intentionally!

“There’s no doubt about it that the majority of my features are these young African Americans [Breland, Kane Brown, Jimmie Allen] in this business of country music. That is definitely on purpose.”

 

Check back here on Friday, August 27th for our exclusive interview and full album review of Nelly’s Heartland.

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

* Interview Conducted by: Stephanie Wagner // Written by: Erica Zisman for Country Swag

Runaway June: backstory – EP Review

/in , , , /by

Runaway June are back with their newest EP titled backstory, out today, August 20th on all streaming platforms.  Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

We have been big fans of all-girl trio Runaway June since their inception. The ladies first hit the country music scene with the release of their debut project back in September 2018. Now, Naomi Cooke, Natalie Stovall, and Jennifer Wayne come together with three perfectly executed songs on their brand new EP backstory.

“These three songs tell the stories and paint the picture of the heartbreak, joy & freedom that comes along with growing up & moving forward. They represent the road to loving yourself and ultimately someone else,” Runaway June shares on their Instagram. It is clear that the songstresses knew exactly what messages they wanted to convey with their new project.

The first song “Forgot About That” is one of those nostalgic songs that will get suck in your head. Lyrically, the song expresses all the feelings and the memories that rush to the surface, when you run into your ex. The concept is as relatable as can be. We all know what it is like to forget the bad and only remember the good.

“Down The Middle” is a heart-achingly beautiful ballad. The song is palpable, conveying how we all feel when our heart gets broken. Runaway June do not try to sugarcoat or gloss over the heartbreak. They simply share that pain is something you have to go through in order to find your way back to love.

Finally, “T-Shirt” is the up-tempo track off the record. The song is all about female empowerment. The ladies of Runaway June take charge of their lives, refusing to go back to a relationship that no longer serves them. The songstresses express how it feels to find your voice and finally learn your worth in a relationship and in love.

backstory is the perfect reintroduction to Cooke, Stovall, and Wayne. Runaway June showcase, where they have come from with this there-song EP. We cannot wait to learn more about where they are now and where they are headed through their music in the future.

The new project comes just in time for the ladies to hit the road for their stint on Luke Bryan’s ‘Proud To Be Right Here Tour.’ For tickets and more information, head to runawayjune.com.

backstory EP Tracklist:

  1. Forgot About That (Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Corey Crowder, Emily Shackelton)
  2. Down The Middle (Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Hannah Mulholland, Barry Dean, Tofer Brown)
  3. T-Shirt (Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Adam Hambrick, Mark Trussell
runaway-tune-backstory-new-ep

Runaway June’s brand new EP ‘backstory,’ is out today, August 19th.

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

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

backstory 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.

dan-and-shay-good-things-album

Dan + Shay: ‘Good Things’ – Album Review

/in , , , /by

Dan + Shay’s new album Good Things, released today, August 13th is officially available on all streaming platforms. The record features number one songs “Glad You Exist”, “10,000 Hours” with Justin Bieber, and “I Should Probably Go To Bed.” Check out the full review below.

In a time of chaos and uncertainty in the world, we could all use some good things, and Dan + Shay have certainly delivered. With the release of their fourth full-length album, the aptly titled Good Things, out now August 13, the harmonic pair have provided the perfect summer soundtrack. With twelve new tracks of buoyant and bouncy country-pop, Dan + Shay are offering up a hearty dose of ‘good things’.

The record follows in the footsteps of their 2018 smash self-titled album, which included “Tequila,” “All to Myself,” and “Speechless.” When announcing the new release back in July, the pair took to Instagram, writing, “We poured every bit of our hearts into this project and have never been more excited for anything in our entire lives.”

Each song on Good Things was produced and co-written by Dan Smyers, while Shay Mooney also leant his hand to co-writing on eight of the album’s tracks. Other co-writers and co-producers include Nashville heavy-hitters Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley, Dave Barnes, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds, and Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi. For the project, Dan + Shay also enlisted some big names from the pop world, including Julia Michaels, Shawn Mendes, and Justin Bieber on the previously released, “10,000 Hours”.

Opening with the album’s airy and melodic “Good Things,” Dan + Shay wish an ex well. With its anthemic chorus over rousing beats, the song is both the perfect album opener and the perfect introduction to this era of Dan + Shay. On this track, they’re eternally optimistic, moving on but wishing her well.

“When it’s late at night // And you’re still wide awake // If you’re with your friends or you’re lonely // When you hear somebody start to say my name // Oh when you think of me // I hope you think good things”

That almost tropical feel continues throughout the album, highlighting its way through songs such as “Steal My Love,” and “Body Language.” Likewise, “Irresponsible” is a mid-tempo yet sultry ode to a booty call that may be wrong, but feels oh-so-right. “I’m still gettin’ over the last time, we said it’s the last time,” they admit of their tryst, wondering “How’d we end up here, in the same room?”

While the album definitely embraces up-tempo tracks, the duo’s softer side is still evident on Good Things. “You” is the type of song that fans have come to expect from Dan + Shay, as they celebrate the love of a lucky woman. “If all else goes wrong // Baby, I’ll be alright // ‘Cause I got you.”

Meanwhile, “One Direction” is another such track, and despite its name, it’s sadly not an ode to Harry, Niall, Liam, and Louis. Instead, it’s a love song that shows Mooney flexing his vocal chops, proclaiming his desire to carpe diem in a relationship. “Cause time only moves in one direction // These are the nights we won’t get back // Don’t wanna waste one single second // Don’t want the starts to fall so fast,” they sing. “Cause someday we’ll be sayin’ how // We wish we could turn back around // Time only moves in one direction // Come on, get closеr, come, let me hold you now”

Getting over an ex is a theme on many of the album’s songs, including “Let Me Get Over Her,” a moody piano-driven prayer of desperation to move on. Meanwhile, “Lying” takes on a similar topic in a very different musical way. If there’s something oddly familiar about the track, it’s the piano melody of the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me” that weaves its way through the song. “I don’t miss you in my bed // I don’t hear you in my head,” they sing. “I don’t love you, I’m not cryin’ // And I swear, I’m not lyin.”

With a mix of airy up-tempo songs and the ballads that Dan + Shay have become known for, Good Things is the perfect album title, delivering good things in spades.

Good Things Tracklist

  1. Good Things (Dan Smyers, Ross Copperman, Jason Evigan, Ashley Gorley)
  2. Steal My Love (Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Reynolds)
  3. You (Dan Smyers, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)
  4. Body Language (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes, Jordan Reynolds)
  5. Give In To You (Dan Smyers, Julia Michaels, Jordan Reynolds)
  6. Irresponsible (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Julia Michaels, Jordan Reynolds)
  7. Lying (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds, Bill Withers)
  8. One Direction (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds)
  9. Let Me Get Over Her (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Kyle Fishman, Jordan Schmidt, Brad Tursi)
  10. Glad You Exist (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ryan Lewis, Tayla Parx, Jordan Reynolds)
  11. 10,000 Hours (with Justin Bieber) (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd)
  12. I Should Probably Go To Bed (Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Sean Douglas, Jason Evigan)

 

Our Picks:

  1. “Good Things”
  2. “One Direction”
  3. “You”
  4. “Lying”
dan-and-shay-good-things-album

Dan + Shay’s brand new album ‘Good Things’ is out now, August 13th

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

New York/New Jersey Dan + Shay fans can catch the duo later this month as they will be a part of the Barefoot Music Fest in Wildwood, New Jersey from August 19-22 and tickets are available here. They’ll also be headlining Madison Square Garden on September 16 and New Jersey’s Prudential Center on December 5th.

To keep up with Dan + Shay, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Good Things 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.

kolby-cooper-ep-gabriel-muniz

Kolby Cooper: ‘Boy From Anderson County’ – EP Review

/in , , , /by

Kolby Cooper’s EP Boy From Anderson County is out today, August 6th, on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

There is nothing like witnessing an artist’s debut project. Today, singer-songwriter, Kolby Cooper is on full display. The rising artist officially dropped his debut EP, Boy From Anderson County. Cooper wears his heart on his sleeve on the release, sharing all sides of his personality and his story with fans.

The record kicks off with one of the most personal songs on the EP. The title track depicts the love story between Cooper and his wife. The singer thanks his wife for making him the man he is today, teaching him all about life and himself, and of course, convincing him to follow his dreams.

“She made me better // She made me stronger // She made me want this dream so bad // She made me wish forever // Wasn’t all the time we had // She showed me every single thing I didn’t know about me // and I thank god every day that that girl found me”

Next up, “Good For You” showcases the rough and rowdy side of Cooper’s vocals. Written by Cooper along with singer-songwriter Jameson Rodgers and Brent Anderson, the song feels radio-ready. It has the right mix of grit and rhythm. Lyrically the premise of the song is relatable, as Cooper sings about pining after a girl, who did not want him.

On “Excuses,” Cooper slows it down again. This time, the singer somberly shares how it feels to watch a relationship come to its end. The old “it ain’t you, it’s me” is just the start of all the excuses. Similarly on “Way To Go,” Cooper expresses the end of a relationship, but this time putting the blame on himself. The singer’s honesty and vulnerability is evident on this standout track.

Picking the tempo up yet again, “The Song Don’t Make No Sense” is an ode to a complicated ex and break-up. The high-caliber innovation within this song is both refreshing and fun to listen to. The innovation continues with the last song off the record, “Her Favorite Songs.” Cooper has the last laugh on this song, as he sings about his nemesis’ girl singing all his favorite songs.

“Cause now when you get home // Your speakers are full-blown // Your girl is singing at the top of her lungs // Spin in the kitchen // Hey baby, listen // You tell her how you never heard this one // I know that you heard it // I know you know who it is // Ain’t the first song she’s played this playlist”

Cooper’s debut project is nothing short of fantastic. He is the real deal, both as a vocalist and as a songwriter. Fans should keep the singer on their radar.

Boy From Anderson CountyEP Tracklist:

  1. Boy From Anderson County
  2. Good For You
  3. Excuses
  4. Way To Go
  5. The Song Don’t Make No Sense
  6. Her Favorite Songs
kolby-cooper-ep

Kolby Cooper’s new EP ‘Boy From Anderson County,’ is out now

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

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

Boy From Anderson CountyEP 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.

who-is-laci-kaye-booth

Laci Kaye Booth: Self-titled Debut EP – Review

/in , , , /by

Laci Kaye Booth’s debut self-titled EP is out today, August 6th, on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the new music below.

Earlier this week we introduced you to a new singer-songwriter that we are loving. Laci Kaye Booth is a name you are going to want to remember. The American Idol contestant has transformed her AI fame into a promising career for herself in country music. Today, Booth released her debut major-label self-titled EP, Laci Kaye Booth.

With eight songs, the songstress showcases her talent, her beautiful voice, and her songwriting chops. Each track conveys different sides of her artistry and influences. Every song feels straight from the heart as if the lyrics were ripped straight from Booth’s diary.

The opening track, “Used To You”, makes a quiet, yet beautiful entrance. The song conveys a relationship that is comfortable and steady; despite, the fact that things are not as good as they used to be. It feels bittersweet and comforting at the same time.

“Don’t know what I’d do // You’re the road that I know // Your name sounds like home automatic // I’m a creature of habit // And how could I ever undo the way that I’m used to you”

On “Broken Heart Still Beats” Booth sings about heartbreak. The song features the incredible Charles Kelley, adding dimension to the already exquisite song. As a listener, you will hang on to every word that Booth and Kelley sing. The songstress proves her storytelling ability as each lyric unfolds.

Booth showcases her voice in a different way on the next track, “On The Fence.” With a similar indecisiveness, the singer shows off her personality in the song. The track screams pop country, as is perfect for the singer’s quiet and ethereal voice. She conveys the message behind being sure of a person, even though you are usually unsure of a lot of things. Similarly, “Shuffle” is another more upbeat song on the record. Leaning into the Stevie Nicks influence that Booth often talks about, “Shuffle” is a song for the ladies. We especially love how the songstress namedrops many great country songs on the incredible tune.

The record melds into another somber song thereafter. “If He Would’ve Stayed” is one of the most mesmerizing songs on the album. The simple instrumentation allows Booth’s voice to be on full display. The emotive heartbreak song is hard not to feel deeply. Anyone who has ever suffered a loss of any kind will find solace in this track.

“Would I follow my heart even if its heart // If he would’ve stayed // Would I have all these questions // Like God how could he leave // and just do what I please // If he would’ve stayed”

Lastly, “Heart of Texas” sits as the final song on the EP. A Texas native, Booth pays homage to her home state with this killer ballad. The song feels like it is straight off of The Marfa Tapes by Miranda Lambert in the best possible way.

Overall, Booth has such unique artistry. Fans are sure to flock to her for that reason and many others. Congrats to the singer on a solid debut project!

Laci Kaye Booth's debut EP is out now, August 6th

Laci Kaye Booth’s debut EP is out now, August 6th

Laci Kaye Booth CollectionEP Tracklist:

  1. Used To You
  2. On The Fence
  3. Treasure
  4. Broken Heart Still Beats (ft. Charles Kelley)
  5. Shuffle
  6. If He Would’ve Stayed
  7. Visions
  8. Heart of Texas

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

To keep up with Laci Kaye Booth, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Laci Kaye Booth 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.