First Impression Archives

Jordan Rowe: ‘Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy’ – Album Review

August 6, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Jordan Rowe’s debut album, Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy, is out today, August 6, featuring “I Didn’t Sleep Last Night” and “Mama Ain’t Jesus” with Lainey Wilson. Read our full review below as we dig into the new project.

Country newcomer Jordan Rowe has a “bad, bad case of the good ole’ boy,” a theme that weaves its way throughout his debut album of the same name, out today, August 6. Inspired by the likes of Alan Jackson, Joe Diffie, and Luke Bryan, the Georgia native has a sound that’s both modern yet traditional. “I’m so excited to finally be putting out a full independent project. I’ve been working on some of these songs since 2019 and there was a lot of work that went into finding a unique sound,” shared the singer in a statement. “I wanted to keep it young and competitive, but also make good country music like you and I grew up on.”

Produced by Derek Wells and released via River House Artists, Rowe’s influences are apparent on Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy, as he’s tried and true country on each of the album’s eight songs, beginning with its title track. The opener sets the stage for the rest of the album, as he sings of “kickin’ in these boots” and “digging in these roots.” Here, the singer-songwriter is unapologetically himself, embracing both who he is and the life he lives.

“Can’t in a Car” is a tongue-in-cheek ode to a truck and all the things you can’t do in a car, Rowe musing that “once you go truck, you never go back.” Meanwhile, the album’s first single, “I Didn’t Sleep Last Night,” is a new spin on the classic breakup song. Rowe is intent to stick it to an ex and prove he’s moved on by getting drunk and spending the night with someone new. On the twangy mid-tempo, he assures an ex that he didn’t stay up thinking of her, which is clearly a lie as he laments, “No, I didn’t sleep last night // I met me someone new // And we drank ’til we felt right // Hell, she even kinda looked like you // And we watched that sun come up // And you never even crossed my mind.”

While Rowe definitely embraces his raucous side on a few tracks, he shines even brighter on the ballads. On “The Good Ones Do,” he sings of all of the “good ones” in his life, including friends, coaches, pastors, and a special woman. “And every girl don’t dance // Barefoot in the rain // And every girl don’t stay // When she could’ve walked away // And every girl don’t like // A man in worn-out boots // And every girl don’t make you feel // Like she got lucky too // But the good ones do.”

On “Mama Ain’t Jesus,” Rowe celebrates his mother in the heartfelt song, accompanied perfectly by stunning background vocals from Lainey Wilson. Over twangy guitars, the pair sings of a woman who’s as close to Jesus as a human can possibly be.

“I bet she’ll walk them streets of gold with a silver medal // And while the good lord comes back down to get us she’ll fill in // I ain’t been yet, but I’ve got a glimpse of Heaven // Cause Mama ain’t Jesus but she’s a close second.”

The album wraps up with “10-4,” featuring country legends Rhett Akins, Tracey Lawrence, and Eddie Montgomery. This track sounds straight out of the 90’s in the best possible way, as the four-country traditionalists sing from the perspective of truck drivers, traveling the open road.

“If you’re thinking I’m a certified son of a gun // Haul a whole lotta country in my ol half-ton // Work like a dog til the work gets done // Give the beer off my back if you ain’t got none,” they sing. “ If you think I got a bad case of good ol boy // Ya damn right buddy that’s a big 10-4.”

Rowe co-wrote all eight of the tracks on Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy, and it’s safe to say that he’s crafted a perfect introduction of himself to the country world. The collection is a solid one that’s sure to win over droves of new fans with each new song.

Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy Tracklist:

Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy
Can’t in a Car
The Good Ones Go
Who Needs You (feat. Ashland Craft)
I Didn’t Sleep Last Night
Mama Ain’t Jesus (feat. Lainey Wilson)
Had a Ball
10-4 (feat. Tracy Lawrence, Rhett Akins, Eddie Montgomery)

Our Picks:

“Mama Ain’t Jesus”
“10-4”

Jordan Rowe’s new album ‘Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy,’ is out now

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

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

Bad Case of The Good Ole Boy 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.

Parmalee: ‘For You’ – Album Review

July 30, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Parmalee’s highly anticipated album For You, out today, July 30, featuring thirteen brand new tracks. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Fans have been awaiting platinum-selling country band, Parmalee’s next full-length project, since the release of their number one single with Blanco Brown “Just The Way.” Today, Parmalee officially released their brand new album For You, featuring thirteen great tracks.

Pushing the boundaries of country music, Parmalee manages to infuse southern storytelling with pop hooks and urban influences throughout the project. The record kicks off with the ultimate love song “Only You.” A ballad, the track will make any listener swoon with romance.

“I love the way your accent comes out when you’re talking to your mama // how you act like you don’t know you’re hot in your pajamas // and the way that you kiss me when I’m drinking whiskey with you // I love the way that we take it downtown on Fridays // easy on them Sundays”

Romance is a clear trend on the new record. Similar to “Only You,” Parmalee wears their hearts on their sleeves on songs like “Take My Name” and “Backroad Girl.” The former is all about finding the one and wanting to wife them up. The latter is a fun-loving country song. It definitely has radio appeal. “I Do” also showcases that romantic element, but with more urban influences. Parmalee tries to win over a girl on the sweet track.

“Just The Way”, featuring one of our current favorites, Blanco Brown, sits in the second spot on the track-list. The song found its way to the number one spot on the charts back in March and for good reason. Written by Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, and Nolan Sipe, “Just The Way” is a song that encourages acceptance and loving people for who they are.”

Similarly, “Greatest Hits” is another song that boasts equality amongst the music industry. The country band sings about how we as people collect music over the course of life. Written as a love song, the real story is the love song to music as the soundtrack to our lives.

“Falling in love to your mixtape // Got your country from your hometown // Hip-hop from your college crowd // and rock and roll from your daddy’s old 45s // Got your Motown from your mama’s soul //Makes me want to hold you close”

Parmalee also leans into how it feels to lose the one you love on vulnerable songs, “Miss You Now,” and “Forget You.” “Miss You Now” tells the story of a broken relationship, recounting all those moments you wish you could relive or redo. The song is painful, yet relatable. “Forget You,” featuring Avery Anna is equally as thought-provoking. The song depicts how it feels to be in the furrows of heartbreak in a raw and emotive way.

Finally, the band makes the transition from raw emotion to fun and live-show-ready songs with the last two tracks on the record, “I’ll Take The Chevy” and the title track “For You.” Though slower-paced, “For You” is the ‘thank you’ letter to fans camouflaged as a love song. It is the perfect song to end the album with.

“We feel most authentic and our best as a band when we feel like we’re having a conversation with the audience. That’s what we really narrowed in on for this album and leaned into what makes Parmalee sound like Parmalee—it’s all based on our connection to the fans,” said the band’s Matt Thomas in a recent press release. “For You is an album for the fans — the ones who’ve supported us for years, and the new ones we’re getting to know every day.”

It is safe to say that Parmalee accomplished their goal with this record. Each song feels distinctively them and comes with its own unique flavor. Kudos to Parmalee for their record!

FOR YOU Tracklist:

“For You” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Justin Wilson)
“Just the Way” – (Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, Nolan Sipe)
“Backroad Girl” – (Matt Thomas, Tommy Cecil, Blake Bollinger, Brinley Addington)
“Take My Name” – (Matt Thomas, Ashley Gorely, David Fanning, Ben Johnson)
“I Do” – (Tyler Hubbard, Matt Thomas, Corey Crowder, David Fanning)
“Miss You” – (Michael Tyler, Matthew McGinn, David Fanning)
“Greatest Hits (feat. Fitz)” – (Matt Thomas, Kevin Bard, Nolan Sipe, Andrew Goldstein, Michael Fitzpatrick)
“Better With You” – (Matt Thomas, Ashley Gorely, David Fanning)
“Forget You – (feat. Avery Anna)” (Matt Thomas, Shane Minor, David Fanning, Thomas Archer)
“Alone Like That” – (Matt Thomas, Tommy Cecil, David Fanning, James McNair)
“I See You” – (Matt Thomas, David Fanning, Justin Wilson, Steven McMorran)
“I’ll Take The Chevy” – (Matt Thomas, Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Zachary Kale, James McNair, Josh Mirenda)
“For You”– (Matt Thomas, Barry Knox, Josh McSwain, Scott Thomas, David Fanning)

NYCS Picks:

“Greatest Hits”
“Just The Way”
“Forget You”
“For You”

Parmalee’s new album ‘FOR YOU’ is out now, July 30th

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

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

FOR YOU 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.

Parker McCollum: ‘Gold Chain Cowboy’ – Album Review

July 30, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Lucie Bernheim

Parker McCollum’s new album Gold Chain Cowboy, out now July 30th, serves as his major-label full album debut. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the 10-track project.

McCollum opens the album with the upbeat number “Wait Outside” written by McCollum, Jon Randall (who produced it), and Randy Rodgers. While identifiably country, there are hints of alternative rock in the production and McCollum’s vocal delivery.

The second track is “Dallas” – a heartfelt country-rock moment featuring fellow Texan Danielle Bradberry. Her harmony is sweet and subtle, and the use of organs in the song is very compelling.

“To Be Loved By You” is McCollum’s current single to country radio, and to put it quite simply, something about the song truly makes it absolutely addicting. “Hell, maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong // Finding out why shouldn’t take this long // Easier said than done, I guess // I’m a little bit harder to love than the rest”. The lyrics fall off the tongue so effortlessly, even if a little bit angry and pleading – it makes you want to listen to the song again and again.

What Parker McCollum does best on Gold Chain Cowboy is refrain from sounding like everyone else on country radio. On the record, there are moments intense enough to remind one of Death Cab for Cutie; lyrics as evocative as Jason Isbell; and phrasing as existential as John Mayer.

“I want to have Luke Bryan success, singing Chris Knight-caliber songs,” he shares in a press release. “To have longevity, you can’t sacrifice integrity to get on the radio. People know the difference, look at Willie, look at Strait. I knew I could do Texas and never leave, or come to Nashville and do the pop-country thing. My goal is to ride the middle.”

You hear all of that on a song like “Falling Apart”, which lives in the middle of the album. A Miranda Lambert co-write, you can hear they are songwriters from Texas who also love their 80s music. For fans of Mayer’s recent album Sob Rock, this is a must-listen.

“Heart Like Mine” is a standout, with a rhythm that is classically Americana and lyrics that leave you aching. The drums are soft, and the harmonies add just the right amount of depth that is needed.

“With ‘Heart Like Mine,’ I’d had that first verse for four years”, McCollum says. “I’d been saving it, because I always knew it was special. I’d almost pulled it out a couple of times in co-writes that weren’t working. But I knew not to. When I sat down with Tony, I knew he was the one. I told him those lines, and he went, ‘That’s fucking badass.’ We finished it in an hour… It was unbelievable.”

“Rest Of My Life” is a solo McCollum write, and it’s incredibly introspective. “I’m shakin’ like winter but I just can’t eat // It’s just one of those late nights that I’m never gonna beat //And I lay down for a moment and my eyes start closin’ // I can’t help but wonder why, yeah it’s just the rest of my life”. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to find clarity, and that is definitely apparent in this song.

Gold Chain Cowboy is sonically more polished than his first two albums, but the heart of it stays the same. He is young but well-traveled. The album is equal parts Texas and Tennessee, and that combination makes it all the more successful. For an album that walks the line of an identity crisis to finding yourself all over again, there is a precision and cohesiveness to the record that makes it clear why McCollum is country music’s next big thing.

Gold Chain Cowboy Tracklist:

Wait Outside (Parker McCollum, Jon Randall, Randy Rogers
Dallas ft. Danielle Bradbery (Parker McCollum, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers)
To Be Loved By You (Parker McCollum, Rhett Akins)
Drinkin’ (Parker McCollum, Lee Miller)
Falling Apart (Parker McCollum, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Randy Rogers)
Heart Like Mine (Parker McCollum, Tony Lane, Ben West)
Why Indiana (Parker McCollum, Erik Dylan, Randy Montana)
Rest Of My Life (Parker McCollum)
Pretty Heart (Parker McCollum, Randy Montana)
Never Loved You At All (Parker McCollum, Corey Crowder, Brian Kelley)

Our Picks:

“Heart Like Mine”
“To Be Loved By You”
“Rest Of My Life”

Parker McCollum makes his major-label debut with his new album ‘Gold Chain Cowboy.’

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

To keep up with Parker McCollum, you can find him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Gold Chain Cowboy 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.

Ryan Kinder: ‘Room to Dream’ – Album Review

July 30, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Ryan Kinder’s first independent release Room to Dream is out today, July 30, on all streaming platforms. Featuring ten new tracks, nine of which he co-wrote, check out the full project here.

With a beautifully weathered voice that drips of a life well-lived, Ryan Kinder lends his soulful sound to Room to Dream, his new album out today, July 30. Featuring ten new tracks, the independent release reveals Kinder at his most authentic to date. “I had a lot of time to figure out what I wanted to do after a certain time in my life, and all these songs came together with different aspects of who I was when I wrote them,” he reveals in a statement. “It was a beautiful realization that some of the bad things and not-so-fun situations led to the opportunity for me to have the room to dream, and to really be myself.”

The album opens with “Something,” the only new track not co-written by Kinder. Written by Jon Green, Dave Barnes, and Laura Veltz, the song is a slow burn of a midtempo reflecting a similar slow-burning friendship that just might be something more. The couple finds themselves at a pivotal point in their relationship between staying just friends or exploring more than that, as Kinder asks “How long can we go on saying it’s nothing? // Maybe it’s something.”

Kinder explores similar themes on “Friends” and “Nothing But Time.” On the latter, co-written by Luke Sheets and Paul DiGiovanni, he sings of a relationship that has already crossed the line, while the pair claims to be just friends. “Friends don’t look at their friends the way you’re looking at me right now,” he sings. “Friends don’t do with their friends things I wanna do right now.”

Meanwhile, on “Nothing But Time,” the album’s sparsely gorgeous final track, his voice aches with the longing to be with someone, accompanied beautifully by background vocals from Brittany Kennel. In a stirring twist, the song ends purely a capella, closing the album with nothing but Kinder’s beautifully haunting voice as he sings “We’ve got nothing but time.”

On “Hell Is,” Kinder explores the darker side of a relationship that he admits was inspired by a locker room conversation. The singer-songwriter said he began taking notes in that very YMCA, bringing them to a writing session with Clare Dunn and Kevin Bard that evolved into this track. Here, they explore the end of a relationship, admitting that “hell is anywhere without you.”

He explores a similar subject on “Blame,” one of the album’s heaviest tracks, on which Kinder channels his inner Eric Church. Full of driving guitars and a hand-clapping, stomping beat, the song is an immediate standout on the album. “Southbound” also has a similar sound, preventing the album from slumping in the middle as he sings of the joy of returning home after being gone for too long.

“Jane” was co-written by Kinder and Nashville heavyweights Ross Copperman and Josh Osborne, and might be the most country-leaning song on the album with its twangy guitar picking. The song puts a clever spin on the idea of a “plain Jane,” as he sings, “there’s nothing plain about Jane,” musing that he can’t believe her parents even named her that.

While the majority of songs here are about relationships, Kinder also sings about his career on “Want” and the album’s title track. With “Want,” he reveals that it was written during a dark time, where he’d be signed and then record labels would try to change him. “I was feeling disillusioned about being a signed artist. I’d been through multiple record deals. Every time I’d get signed and they’d say ‘we love what you’re doing,’” he reveals. “Then, as soon as I’d sign the papers, they begin this slow process of trying to make me into something different. It was unbelievably frustrating.”

Meanwhile, “Room to Dream” was inspired by a Bruce Springsteen documentary that both he and co-writer Jonathan Singleton watched. Inspired by Springsteen’s one-line tidbits of knowledge, the pair explored the idea of hitting the open road and finding space to just dream. “My favorite line I had was ‘Every wish has got a star to hang on,’” Kinder says. “It embodied the new chapter of my career. It said really simply…keep chasing. There’s room for you out there. There’s room to be you. There’s room to dream.”

There is definitely room for Kinder to be himself, evidenced beautifully on “Room to Dream.” While he may no longer be a signed artist, the singer-songwriter is chasing his dream in a way that’s authentic and true, and the proof is in the music.

Room To Dream Tracklist:

Something – Jon Green, Dave Barnes, Laura Veltz
Hell Is – Ryan Kinder, Kevin Bard, Clare Dunn
Room To Dream – Ryan Kinder, Jonathan Singleton
Tangled Up – Ryan Kinder, Luke Sheets, Fred Wilhelm
Blame – Ryan Kinder, Luke Sheets, Fred Wilhelm
Southbound – Ryan Kinder, Luke Sheets, Fred Wilhelm
Want – Ryan Kinder, Luke Sheets, Fred Wilhelm,
Friends – Ryan Kinder, Luke Sheets, Paul DiGiovanni
Jane – Ryan Kinder, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne
Nothing But Time – Ryan Kinder, Luke Sheets, Renee Meyers

Our Picks:

“Blame”
“Nothing But Time”
“Jane”

Ryan Kinder’s new album ‘Room To Dream’ is available now.

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

To keep up with Ryan Kinder, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Room to Dream 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.

Drake Milligan: Self-titled EP – Review

July 23, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Drake Milligan’s self-titled EP is out today, July 23, on all streaming platforms. The project is produced by country legend Tony Brown and Brandon Hood, and features five new tracks co-written by Milligan. Check out the brand new music and our full review below, but first, visit the link below on Instagram to enter to win a personalized video message from the budding star!

From the opening notes of Drake Milligan’s debut EP it’s clear there’s something different about the 23-year old country crooner. The Texas native isn’t leaning into popular trends here, but is instead embracing a sound that can be best described as “old school in a new way.” Joining a class that includes the likes of Midland, William Michael Morgan, Josh Turner, and Mo Pitney, Milligan is putting a modern spin on country music that has a more traditional sound.

Recently signed to BBR Music Group/ Stoney Creek Records, the EP marks Milligan’s first release of original music. The singer-songwriter moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Nashville at the age of nineteen and has spent the last four years honing his craft alongside some of Music City’s biggest names. “The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers, and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Milligan in a statement. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!”

The EP, produced by country icons Tony Brown and Brandon Hood, opens with “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’,” a classic-sounding country drinking song. With twangy fiddle and mid-tempo country guitars, Milligan sings of the chaos that happens in a honky-tonk when the crowd’s got one thing on its mind.

“Don’t Look Down” is a romantic ode to getting lost on the dancefloor with someone special. Musically, the track has a swinging tempo, slide guitars, and an almost ethereal sound as Milligan sings of being “in love with the rhythm of holding you girl.” He invites her to enjoy the special moment, “Don’t look down // Just keep your eyes on me,” he implores his dance partner. “I wanna be all you see // While we’re spinning around.”

“Kiss Goodbye All Night” continues the theme of enjoying and savoring a special moment, showing Milligan’s fun side. The music and tempo is reminiscent of Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance?”, and the song is pure country fun. Milligan shines on this flirty ode to a night that turns into morning. “Let’s just kiss goodbye all night,” He sings with a swagger that convinces the listener he isn’t often turned down. “And kiss a little more in the morning.”

Milligan shows his softer side on “She,” a sparse yet beautiful song about one special woman. “She walks in a room // And turns every head on a dime // She’d be something to lose // She’s nothing like you’ll ever find // She’s so beautifully beautiful as can be // And I can’t believe that she’s mine,” he croons. “Oh I wish that she // Could see what I see.”

The EP ends with “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” a driving up-tempo about the lengths a man will go when he’s in love. While Milligan is a true storyteller on the slower songs, he also excels on songs like this that allow him to show his fun, young, and quick-singing side.

On his debut EP, Drake Milligan perfectly introduces himself to the country music world in a way that’s unique and different. He proves that you don’t have to be old to embrace tradition, managing to put a modern spin on the genre that’s sure to endear him to listeners of every age.

Check back on Monday, July 26th at 7:30PM ET for an exclusive interview and performance from Drake Milligan live from New York City, on our Facebook Page.

Drake Milligan’s debut self-titled EP is out now, July 23rd.

Drake Milligan EP Tracklist:

Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’ (Drake Milligan, Brice Long, Brett Beavers)
Don’t Look Down (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
Kiss Goodbye All Night (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, Phil O’Donnell, Josh Jenkins)
She (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do (Drake Milligan, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)

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

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Drake Milligan 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.

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.