Riley Green: ‘BEHIND THE BAR’ – EP Review

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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-Gren-New-EP-Cover

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

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “That’s What I’ve Been Told”
  2. “That’s My Dixie”
  3. “That Was Us”

BEHIND THE BAR EP Tracklist:

  1. Behind The Bar
  2. That’s What I’ve Been Told
  3. If It Wasn’t For Trucks
  4. Put ‘Em On Mine
  5. That Was Us
  6. I Let A Damn Good Woman Leave
  7. 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

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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

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

HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP Tracklist:

  1. Honky-Tonk Hippies- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
  2. Wild Again- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Chandler Baldwin, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
  3. Moonlight Mingle- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton & Tate Howell)
  4. I Need A Beer (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
  5. 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’

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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

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

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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

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

Every Small Town EP Tracklist:

  1. Every Small Town – Ben Gallaher, Ash Bowers, Jim Collins
  2. Get On One – Ben Gallaher, Joey Hyde, Mike Walker
  3. Never Get Old – Ben Gallaher, Derrick Southerland, Andrew Jacob Pruis
  4. Town Ain’t Dry – Ben Gallaher, Mark Irwin, Shane Minor
  5. 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

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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

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

  1. “Talk Of This Town” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
  2. “What A Song Can Do” | Charles Kelley, Sam Ellis, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz          
  3. “Like A Lady” | Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson, Brandon Paddock
  4. “Things He Handed Down” | Charles Kelley, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett
  5. “Fire” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Justin Ebach
  6. “Chance Of Rain” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Topher Brown, Justin Ebach  
  7. “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

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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:

  1. Boat Names
  2. Sunburnt
  3. By Boat
  4. Made By The Water
  5. Sunday Service In The Sand
Brian Kelley's new album, 'Sunshine State of Mind' is out now, June 25th

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

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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

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.

SmithField: ‘New Town’ – EP Review

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SmithField’s new EP, New Town, featuring six new tracks by the duo behind “Hey Whiskey”, is out now, June 16th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

With three years behind them since the release of their hit single, “Hey Whiskey,” country duo SmithField is back with a new EP, New Town, out today, June 16. Made up of six new original tracks, the pair of Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith are determined to reintroduce country music fans to the female-male country duo. Interestingly, it’s been over a decade since a mixed-gender pair truly broke out in Nashville, but based on the songs on New Town, Smithfield should be the next twosome to do so.

Both Fielder and Smith grew up in Waxahachie, Texas, with grandparents who went to high school together. The pair first met at age ten but took different musical paths until their journeys crossed a decade ago when SmithField was born. Unlike other duos, the pair established a true partnership with neither member serving as the group’s lead singer or songwriter. Instead, they work together, trading harmonies and vocals to tell two unique sides to every story.

For the pair, New Town tells a unique tale of love and relationships. “Each track tells its own story,” says Smith in a statement. “But the entire EP weaves together to form a larger narrative about relationships. It’s all about the ups, the downs, and the persistence needed to fight through whatever comes at you. That’s our story.”

SmithField’s story begins here with the EP’s title track, a dreamy ode to falling in love in your hometown, allowing it to come alive again. Somehow, everything that was once familiar has become new through the lens of falling in love, and it’s a magical experience. “These stomping grounds have come alive,” They harmonize. “Since you and I // Became you and I.”

On “Something Sexy,” the pair does one of our favorite things in music, name-dropping other famous artists and songs as they embrace the rich romantic history of country music. Although the pair may be “too country for some Barry White,” they mention Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Chris Young by name. A few of the other songs they mention include “I Melt,” “Amazed,” “Raining on Sunday,” “Come a Little Closer,” and “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” among other romantic classics.

On “I’ll Never Stop,” the pair puts out the type of sultry anthem they sang about in “Something Sexy.” Although it’s a song about love lost, it stands out with its soulful, bluesy style. “Sometimes I hate // That I can’t let you go // And sometimes I can’t stand the thought // Of losing your memory,” they admit on the show-stopping ballad. “Oh I may be done loving you // But I’ll never stop.”

While “I’ll Never Stop” and “Burning Wings” are songs about love lost, the collection’s closer “We’ll Figure It Out” and “Sunday Best” are more hopeful. On the latter, they celebrate the everyday imperfections of true love. It’s not about putting on a fabricated facade, but embracing those times when your partner is far from perfect.  Meanwhile, on “We’ll Figure It Out,” SmithField muses that “loving is easy, but it’s the living that’s hard.”

SmithField’s New Town EP feels a lot like having a conversation with friends, which according to Fielder, was the goal “We’re big coffee people,” she says. “Whenever we perform a song, it’s like we’re grabbing a cup of coffee together, and the audience gets to be the third person who sits down with us and hears the whole conversation. They get to hear both sides. They get to understand how both parties feel. You don’t get that perspective from a solo artist. We’re opening up our hearts from both sides of the story, and the listener gets to hear our coffee talk.”

On their new EP, SmithField truly embraces every side of relationships, from the beautiful to the messy to the complicated. New Town is honest. It’s real, and it’s musically a truly great story from start to finish.

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SmithField’s new EP, ‘New Town’ is available now, June 16th, 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 SmithField announcements and releases.

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

New 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.

Kylie Morgan: Love, Kylie – EP Review

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Kylie Morgan’s debut EP, ‘Love, Kylie’, is available on all streaming platforms now, June 11th. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Country newcomer, Kylie Morgan released her debut Extended Play (EP) titled Love, Kylie today, June 11th at midnight. The six-track project contains three brand new songs and three previously released songs, “Shoulda,” “I Only Date Cowboys,” and the lead single “Break Things.”

A career in music is what Morgan dreamed of since she was three years old. Now twenty-five, she has landed a record deal and released her first EP appropriately titled Love, Kylie. Listeners who are unfamiliar with her just yet can learn more about her and her bubbly personality in these six fun, yet personal songs.

“You know how every little girl dreams and plans their wedding all their life? Well, this is what I was planning: my debut body of work,” Morgan told listeners in her teaser video. “Every song and every line is a chapter in my story and of my life and my prayer is that it relates to yours.”

Starting off the project with a previously released track, “Shoulda” is an edgy, up-tempo song about her poor decisions. After a messy breakup, she regretfully answers a phone call from her ex, which ends up with her waking up in his bed. Although the alcohol supported the choice, she knows she just should have stayed home. The clever songwriting and rock-inspired instrumentals make this an anthem for all people who struggle cutting ties with their former love interests.

Morgan lets her Oklahoma twang loose in the second song, “I Only Date Cowboys.” She admits she has dated every type of man, from bad-boys, city-boys, and the football stars, but no one gets her like a cowboy. Morgan shows her true country roots in this upbeat track, and even name drops several prominent cowboys such as Jesse James, John Wayne, and Billy Ray Cyrus in “Old Town Road.”

“Break Things” was released in March of 2020 and has been her most popular song across all streaming platforms to date. In this energetic, yet vulnerable tune, Morgan confesses that she may be the reason her relationships don’t work out. She warns listeners and potential lovers to keep their feelings in check because she “breaks things,” including hearts.

So don’t stand too close // oh no don’t fall too hard // I ain’t a promise in the dark // ‘cause I break things // You think you do but you don’t // I tend to take it too far // So don’t hand me your heart // ‘cause I break things

Morgan made fans wait for the slower, more mild-tempo tracks on this project. In the acoustic-driven “Outdoor Voices,” she tells all dreamers that in order to achieve their goals, they need to use their outdoor voices, a knock to the classic parenting phrase “use your inside voices.” She puts her powerful vocals on display in this empowering message.

Out here no one can tell us we can’t use your outdoor voices // Don’t be afraid to live loud // I know that all voices tell you to keep it down, keep it down, keep it down // but I can hear you know, hear you now

In “Cheating on You,” the singer feels her and her lover are growing distant because things feel different when they talk, kiss, and lay in bed together. She expresses her concern over a snap-track beat, comparing this feeling to one of being with a complete stranger. Even though they are in the same room, their hearts are already out the door.

In the final track, “Mad I Need You,” Morgan explains the difference between physically and emotionally needing someone. In the first verse, she gives examples of how independent she is when it comes to changing a tire, or finding a way home from the bar, but when she is alone her body aches for this person. It frustrates her how badly she emotionally needs him.

Love, Kylie Track Listing
1. Shoulda (Kylie Morgan, Shane McAnally, Ben Johnson)
2. I Only Date Cowboys (Kylie Morgan, Nate Kenyon, Jay Allen)
3. Outdoor Voices (Kylie Morgan, Emily Falvey, Benjamin Joel Johnson)
4. Break Things (Kylie Morgan, Aaron Eshuis, James McNair, Nicolette Hayford)
5. Cheating On You (Kylie Morgan, Benjamin Joel Johnson, Geoffrey Warburton, Jeffrey Garrison)
6. Mad I Need You (Kylie Morgan, Nicholas Oliver Ruth, Emily Weisband) 

It has been quite the month for Morgan, who not only released her debut EP but also got engaged to her longtime boyfriend and fellow country artist, Jay Allen. With this collection of music, Morgan proves her staying power in the genre and we believe Kylie Morgan is on the road to becoming a household name. To learn more about Kylie Morgan, check out our interview with the artist here.

Kylie Morgan debut ep love Kylie out now

Kylie Morgan’s debut EP ‘Love, Kylie’ is out today, June 11th 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 Kylie Morgan announcements and releases.

To keep up with Kylie Morgan, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Love, Kylie 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.

Nate Barnes: You Ain’t Pretty – EP Review

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Nate Barnes’ debut EP, “You Ain’t Pretty,” including the viral title track and others co-written by Steve Moakler, Jason Sellers, and more, is out now, June 4th. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

As the flagship artist on Quartz Hill Records, country newcomer Nate Barnes is off to a strong start. Following the late 2020 release of his acclaimed single “You Ain’t Pretty,” the singer/songwriter released his debut EP of the same name today, June 4th.

Featuring five new tracks, including songs co-written by Steve Moakler, Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher, and more, the You Ain’t Pretty EP is a solid batch of music to introduce Barnes to the country music world. “This collection of songs is near and dear to my heart. There are some up-tempo barnburners as well as some soulful ballads. Whether I wrote them or not, each song tells a story that I can personally relate to and each song is a little piece of me,” says Barnes in a recent statement. “We had a lot of fun making this project and I feel so fortunate to have worked with some of the best songwriters and producers in the business to craft my first-ever EP!”

The EP is focused around the title track, which has garnered quite a bit of attention, including 15 million TikTok impressions and over 1.2 million streams since its release, and rightfully so. Co-written by Barnes, Jimmy Yeary, and Sellers, “You Ain’t Pretty” is a stirring romantic track celebrating a woman that’s always pretty in his eyes. “I ain’t ever seen you looking any less than a ten // Every time it’s like an angel walked in // Stealing my heart, again and again, baby,” he croons. “I’ve seen your hair up girl, and I’ve seen it fall // Makeup on, and makeup off // Inside out, I’ve seen it all, believe me // But I ain’t ever seen you girl // When you ain’t pretty.”

On the You Ain’t Pretty EP, the theme of “ain’t” carries through three of the five songs, including the collection’s opener, “Ain’t Got a Shot” and “If This Ain’t Heaven.” While the latter is a romping celebration of love for a beautiful place, the former puts a spin on the typical country breakup song. Written by Ron Hatch, Moakler, and Aaron Eshuis, “Ain’t Got a Shot,” opens with a bluesy guitar riff, Barnes’ soulful voice crooning of love lost. Like many country songs, he’s seeking solace at the bottom of the bottle to heal his broken heart, but even that’s not enough. “If Tennessee straight // Can’t make her memory fade // Tell me what kind of chance do I got,” He laments, “Even whiskey ain’t got a shot.”

One of the EP’s highlights is “Right About Me,” a catchy song about opposites attracting. Written by Michael Delaney, Thrasher, and Sellers, “Right About Me” celebrates the kind of love that may not make sense on paper, but somehow, works. The song is a throwback to early-2000s country with a perfect chorus crafted for a live show call out. “Right about me, wrong about you,” Barnes sings in a way that’s just begging for a microphone to be outstretched to an adoring audience. 

Although Nate Barnes may be a relative newcomer to the country music scene, the You Ain’t Pretty EP is a solid introduction to the rising star.  With over 15 million TikTok impressions on his first single, it’s clear that the singer-songwriter has hit a chord with country fans, and we expect even bigger things in his future.

You Ain’t Pretty EP Track List:

  1. Ain’t Got a Shot (Rob Hatch, Steve Moakler, Aaron Eshuis)
  2. Right About Me (Neil Thrasher, Michael Delaney, Jason Sellers)
  3. You Ain’t Pretty (Nate Barnes, Jimmy Yeary, Jason Sellers)
  4. If This Ain’t Heaven (Taylor Davis, Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers)
  5. I Love You Too (Lance Miller, James McNair, Brandon Day, Jason Sellers)
Nate Barnes debut EP, 'You Ain't Pretty', is available now, June 4th, on all streaming platforms

Nate Barnes debut EP, ‘You Ain’t Pretty’, is available now, June 4th, 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 Nate Barnes announcements and releases.

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

You Ain’t Pretty 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.