Spencer Crandall: Lost In The Wild – EP Review | Country Swag

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Spencer Crandall’s newest project, Lost In The Wild EP is available now, May 28th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

We recently got to chat with rising singer-songwriter Spencer Crandall all about his journey in our Swag Spotlight feature. Crandall is a uniquely passionate artist in the industry. Today, he dropped his newest project, Lost In The Wild EP.

The collection was inspired by Crandall’s last album Wilderness. He decided to remix three of the songs from his last project in a new and fresh way. Additionally, the singer included two brand new songs suggesting that these songs are what was “lost in the wild.”

The record kicks off with arguably the most profound song on the project, “My Person” (Wedding Version). The original of this song catapulted Crandall’s notoriety, allowing him to create even more as an independent artist.

Firstly, “My Person has always been the song that people gravitate towards. It is something I don’t think really has been said, and people love to say it to other people that they love,” shares Crandall in our exclusive interview. The new version of the song is a piano-driven, slowed-down rendition of the hit. He gave the people what they wanted on this track.

Crandall also stripped down his song ‘Things I Can’t Say.” The track is a cheeky love song that we all will get butterflies listening to. With lyrics like “I love you is on the tip of my tongue” and “I want you to want me to be the one,” it’s hard not to smile along to the song. Julia Cole lends her voice to the second verse and chorus, adding an extra element to the already fun-loving song. 

Next up, the project transitions into the two brand new songs off the record. The first, “Apartments in LA”, is one of our personal favorites. Inspired by real-life events, the song conveys all the feelings one feels after a break-up in a new and innovative way. Crandall sings about it being too hard to live in Nashville after a break-up. During our interview, the singer even shared that he really did look on Zillow for apartments in LA, during this time in his life.

“So I’m looking at apartments in LA // Anything to get out of this place // Cause there are too many years, memories here that I just can’t erase”

Additionally, the other song that was ‘lost in the wild’ is a love song called “Nothing To Do With You.” This song proves that Crandall knows romance. The clever wordplay is enough to make every music lover swoon. The artist sings about wanting to spend a whole day doing nothing with his love. It reminds us all of the importance of slowing down and just existing, rather than participating in the everyday rat race.

“All I need is here and now // I want nothing to do with you // I want to waste Saturday in the living room”

Finally, the project ends with “Delete All” (The Nate Dodge Remix). Clearly influenced by his brother’s love of EDM music, the last song is unexpected but enticing. The new version has a vibe that is fresh, and hard not to love. The song transformed into a killer party song, proving that Crandall is a jack of all trades.

It is hard not to love the singer after listening to this project. Spencer Crandall’s Lost In The Wild EP is the real deal. The singer-songwriter is clearly in the right industry. We cannot wait to see his career blossom, as he garners more and more fans!

NYCS Picks:

  1. “My Person” (Wedding Version)
  2. “Apartments in LA”

Lost In The Wild EP Tracklist:

  1. My Person (Wedding Version)
  2. Things I Can’t Say (Stripped)
  3. Apartments in LA (Demo)
  4. Nothing to Do with You
  5. Delete All (The Nate Dodge Remix)
Spencer-Crandall-EP

Spencer Crandall’s new EP Lost In The Wild is available now, May 28th, 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 Spencer Crandall announcements and releases.

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

Lost In The Wild 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.

Adam-sanders-who-is-what-if-i'm-right

Adam Sanders: What If I’m Right – Album Review | Country Swag

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Adam Sanders’ new album, What If I’m Right is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Rising singer-songwriter, Adam Sanders has released his new album What If I’m Right. The 13-track album, each song co-written by Sanders,  shows off not only his talent as a writer but shows his well-rounded talent as an artist.

The album starts out upbeat with the song “All About That”. Written by Sanders, Craig Campbell, and Jacob Rice, it’s a track about enjoying a night out outside and enjoying the moment with a significant other. With warmer weather on the horizon, this song is perfect for summer date night.

“Just One” and the title track “What if I’m Right” are written by Sanders, Rice, and Lynn Hutton. Each song has qualities that just about every listener can relate to. “Just One” is about not giving up on a relationship and asking for that one sign that it isn’t over.  “What If I’m Right”  shares a great dual message. At first listen, you may think it is about two people falling in love. However, the real message is don’t be afraid to put everything on the line and follow your dreams. You can do whatever you set your mind to, you just have to have the passion to get there which Sanders clearly has.

The singer-songwriter shows us who he is as a person throughout the album. Not only does he show us his fun, upbeat self, he lets us into his serious side as well as his connection with religion. “Bible Versus” is a great example. Written by Sanders, Ben Stennis, and Brice Long, this track is for anyone going through a tough time and for them to learn that it’s okay to handle situations in the wrong way as long as you learn from your mistakes.

Showing his love for Nascar, the song “Daddy Jesus and Earnhardt” is one to play before every race. Written by a bunch of collaborators including Sanders and Cole Swindell, the track shows how Nascar isn’t just a sport. It’s a bond that brings families together.

Overall, the album is a great listen and truly shows how hard-working, dedicated, and talented Sanders is. He has written numerous songs for artists including Cole Swindell’s number one “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey” and Dustin Lynch’s Hell of a Night”. Now it’s Sanders’ time to shine and boy does he! We can’t wait to see what’s next for his career.

Adam Sanders' new album, 'What If I'm Right' is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms

Adam Sanders’ new album, ‘What If I’m Right’ is available now, May 21st, 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 Ross Copperman announcements and releases.

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

What If I’m Right 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.

Ross Copperman: Somewhere There’s A Light On – EP Review

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Ross Copperman’s new EP, Somewhere There’s A Light On is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter, Ross Copperman has been one of Nashville’s biggest songwriters over the past eight years, accumulating 29 number-one hits for artists such as Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, and many more. These songs include “Lose My Mind,” “If I Told You,” “Get Along,” and “Living,” to name a few.

While songwriting has been his bread-and-butter, Copperman also has an extensive catalog of his own pop-heavy material. On this project, Copperman teamed up with other big-name writers in the business such as Shane McAnally, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, and even pop-star Ed Sheeran to create five brand new tracks.

“I’ve always liked to write songs to live in any world and not necessarily be too specific to genres,” Copperman shared in a recent press release. “It feels like pop has really been influenced by country writing in the last few years.”

The EP begins with the faith-based tune, “Not Believe.” Copperman admits that it can sometimes be hard to believe there’s something bigger than us out there, referencing God — especially when things are not going your way. However, he meets this wonderful woman who restores his faith and makes him believe. It starts off as a slow piano ballad, but has a large build-up in production when the chorus comes around.

“How can I hurt so long? Finally, come up to breathe // And see the best part of my life standing right in front of me // And not believe”

“Electricity” is a more fun, upbeat track in which Copperman praises this woman, calling her ‘electricity,’ as she lights up his love and his life. He compares her to a strike of lightning because they both rarely happen twice. In “Therapy,” the singer claims he doesn’t need doctors or pills to get him through dark days because this girl’s love is his form of therapy. His smooth, romantic vocals shine on these tracks. Both of these songs were co-written by Copperman, Johnny McDaid, and Ed Sheeran.

Copperman uses the title track as a PSA to what seems to be one particular individual. He is reassuring this person that when life gets you down or you are finished chasing your dream, come home to somewhere there’s a light on, aka, himself. This can be classified as EDM, as there is a bass drop after the chorus.

“When you’re lost, when you’re cold // When you can’t see the road // When the sky runs out of gold and you need a ride home // Take your time, feed your soul // If you ever find yourself alone // And you need a place that feels like home // Somewhere there’s a light on”

Copperman shows his flirty side in the final song, “Holdin’ You,” as it is about the physical aspect of love. The singer ignores the advice of others, who tell him they are moving too fast and that if they want this relationship to last, they have to wait. He responds with “we don’t know what tomorrow is holding. I just know I don’t wanna quit holding you.”

When Copperman writes hit songs, it may be expected of him to just pass them on to another artist. But these tunes were clearly so unique and personal to him that he had to keep them for himself. Although it leans pop, Copperman certainly has five very special tracks here.

“I’m so happy and filled with such a profound sense of joy and optimism for the future. I’ve always felt like my purpose in writing songs that I record would be to share joy and encourage somebody who’s down to know there’s a light on somewhere for them,” Copperman said. “I’m inspired and also, feeling a little vulnerable which feels good. I’m excited. It’s my next chapter.”

Somewhere There’s a Light On Tracklist: 
1.     “Not Believe” (Copperman, Jordan Reynolds, Emily Weisband)
2.     “Electricity” (Copperman, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid)
3.     “Therapy” (Copperman, Sheeran, McDaid)
4.     “Somewhere There’s a Light On” (Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
5.     “Holdin’ You” (Copperman, Ashley Gorley, McAnally)

Ross Copperman's new EP, 'Somewhere There's A Light On' is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms

Ross Copperman’s new EP, ‘Somewhere There’s A Light On’ is available now, May 21st, 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 Ross Copperman announcements and releases.

To keep up with Ross Copperman, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Somewhere There’s A Light On 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.

Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts Releases First Solo Project: ‘One On One’

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Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts offers the first collection of his solo career, filled with incredible collaborations, breath-taking vocals, and an inspiring message. One on One is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Gary LeVox is not only the frontman for one of the most influential and successful groups in country music history, Rascal Flatts, but he is also one of the most impressive vocalists and has one of the most identifiable voices in all of music. His name quite literally means, “The Voice” and it couldn’t be more deserving.

Founded in 2000 with bandmates Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, Rascal Flatts scored 17 No. 1 singles, earned 40+ award show trophies (making them the most awarded country group of the last decade), and sold over 23 million albums and more than 11 million concert tickets. The group celebrated its farewell with Twenty Years of Rascal Flatts: The Greatest Hits in 2020, along with their hit single “How They Remember You”. After a 20 year career with Rascal Flatts, LeVox is pursuing a solo career and has just released his first solo project: One on One.

One on One combines two of LeVox’s biggest passions – music and faith. LeVox’s debut song “The Distance” embodies that mission, expressing the power of belief which is tailor-made for the COVID-19 era. The song is about resilience and LeVox feels the timing of the song is perfect. He shares that, “‘The Distance’ was the first song written for (his) solo chapter… with the struggles and battles so many have gone through this past year and how they’ve taken over people’s everyday lives, it just felt like the true song of hope we need.” Made for fans of both country and contemporary Christian music, “The Distance” is one of five tracks featured on LeVox’s Christian collection.
On the remaining four tracks, LeVox leaned on help from his ‘congregation’ to explore the power of faith and the calling of a higher power. Contemporary Christian hitmakers MercyMe join LeVox for “A Little Love”, GRAMMY-winning gospel talent Jonathan McReynolds for “Never Forget”, LeVox’s daughter Brittany for “While I Wait”, and country-rap trailblazer BRELAND for “All I See”. 
On the collection, LeVox shares: “One On One is my passion project and I have wanted to do this body of work for as long as I can remember. I feel so honored to get to collaborate with such greatness throughout this project. BRELAND is a dream to work and sing with, as is the iconic MercyMe. Jonathon McReynolds, one of the greatest singers of our time and my dear friend, wrote a perfect song for us. And for my daughter Brittany and I to get to sing a song that Tauren Wells helped craft just completed the collection. I couldn’t be prouder of this project, and the songs that we recorded. This is gonna be an amazing new season and I just hope everybody enjoys it as much as we did making”
Gary LeVox's new EP, 'One on One' is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms

Gary LeVox’s new EP, ‘One On One’ is available now, May 21st, 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 Gary LeVox announcements and releases.

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

One On 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.

Jordan Davis Releases Brand New EP, ‘Buy Dirt’ – Full Review

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Jordan Davis returns with his latest release, a brand new EP titled, Buy Dirt. Available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms, check out our full review of the project below.

Almost a year ago to the day, Jordan Davis released his six-track, self-titled EP which contained the fun “Cool Anymore” featuring Julia Michaels, “Detours”, and the current chart-climbing hit “Almost Maybes.” His new project, Buy Dirt is a pandemic-inspired compilation of songs in which Davis got the chance to rediscover his love for songwriting. He admits in his EP announcement video that upon arriving in Nashville, he lost sight of the type of music he wanted to write.

“I’ve always loved artists who take risks. I’m in a different spot in my life than I was when I released Home State. We all are!” he acknowledged in a recent press release. “2020 was a tough time for everyone. I was able to use that time to re-center some things in my world, and I didn’t want those lessons to go to waste. I wanted to create something special. The best way to do that was to write honestly, and we did a lot of that on this record.”

The record starts off with a short cover of John Prine’s “Spanish Pipedream (Blow Up Your TV),” which is not only a nice tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter who passed away last April, it complements the theme of this EP and the world the past fourteen months. It describes the benefit of disconnecting and going off the map for a little while. It allows one to live carefree in the moment and take in all of life’s little pleasures. Davis slowed down the track immensely to emphasize the current meaning of the song.

The title track is the centerpiece of the project and features country superstar Luke Bryan. The song’s narrator is sitting on a back porch with his grandfather, listening to the old man dispense pearls of wisdom between sips of hot coffee. Over a light, string melody, Davis and Bryan summarize the man’s advice in one quote: “you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy dirt.” Life moves fast and you have to appreciate and take advantage of your short time here on Earth. Finding the person of your dreams, doing something you love for a living, practicing your faith, and raising a family are the keys to happiness. Davis talked about working with the singer who he grew up listening to on the radio:

“We sat around the fire after a golf tournament one day, smoking cigars and talking about everything but music,” he recalled. “That conversation always stuck with me. Luke isn’t just a great entertainer; he’s a great Dad, a great husband, and a great friend, too. That’s what ‘Buy Dirt’ embodies. When I wrote ‘Buy Dirt,’ I knew he could relate to the song’s message.”

“Need To Not” and “Lose You” were both previously released. The former is similar to Dan + Shay’s number-one hit “How Not To,” as they both express the singer’s struggle with letting his former lover go. He knows he should just go home and watch TV, but driving past her block tests his temptation and brings back old, unwelcomed feelings. The latter sprinkles small amounts of steel-guitar over a pop production. The man in the song sees a couple at a restaurant that seems to have had better days. This makes him fear that maybe someday he and his partner will slowly grow apart as well. He confesses he is in this relationship for the long haul and even the thought of losing her is too difficult to process.

“I Still Smoked” tells the story of young love. The singer reminisces on the time when he and his now-wife met. He remembers all the details of that night from the weather, the drink in her cup, and the artist playing on the radio. People doubted their relationship, including her mom, but that only made their love stronger.

“We were runway flames in a backseat fire // Growing up fast on Renegade tires // Didn’t worry about tomorrow and sure didn’t worry about us // Every time I kiss you it feels the same //  I still remember us that way // Don’t it feel just like yesterday you drove that old jeep and I still smoked?”

“Drink Had Me,” is the most upbeat tune on the project, as Davis uses clever word-play to describe how a night out with his buddies ended up. His plans of staying home got interrupted by several messages from his friends and they finally got him to agree to have one drink, but we all know how that story goes. Instead of having the drink, the drink had him calling his ex and spending the night at her place, leading to problematic and undefined feelings. With a catalog containing plenty of slow and mid-tempo songs, this fun track will serve nicely during his live sets.

“The drink had me want one more // Won’t be forgetting what we broke up for // and doing the make-up, wake-up thing // I just went in there to have one drink but the drink had me”

Throughout the record, Davis shows that he has a lot to be grateful for. By combining elements of country, pop, rock, and R&B, yet preserving the southern storytelling and timeless melodies that make country music so profound, Davis creates a sound unique to himself. He has matured so much during his young career and it is shining through his music.

Buy Dirt Track Listing:

  1. Blow Up Your TV (Written by John Prine and Jeffrey Bradford Kent)
  2. Buy Dirt (feat. Luke Bryan) (Written by Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
  3. Need To Not (Written by Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
  4. Drink Had Me (Written by Jordan Davis, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Paul DiGiovanni)
  5. Lose You (Written by Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Josh Kerr, Josh Dorr)
  6. Almost Maybes (Written by Jordan Davis, Jesse Frasure, Hillary Lindsey)
  7. I Still Smoked (Written by Jordan Davis, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton)
  8. Trying (Written by Jordan Davis, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Paul DiGiovanni)
Jordan Davis' new EP, 'Buy Dirt' is available now, May 21st on all streaming platforms

Jordan Davis’ new EP, ‘Buy Dirt’ is available now, May 21st 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 Jordan Davis announcements and releases.

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

Buy Dirt 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.

Alexander Ludwig Releases Debut Self-titled EP

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Alexander Ludwig, the Vikings and The Hunger Games star, makes his entrance to country music with a new self-titled EP, available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms. Read our full review of the project below.

Alexander Ludwig may be best known for his roles as Bjorn on Vikings or Cato in The Hunger Games, but the multi-talented Canadian is now making a foray into country music with his self-titled EP. For his debut project, Ludwig signed with BBR Music Group and joined forces with Jason Aldean’s bandmates, Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison, who produced the project. The EP also features songs co-written by other Nashville heavy hitters including David Lee Murphy, Jonathan Singleton, and Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi.

Although it may seem like a stretch for a Canadian actor to jump into country music, Ludwig grew up on the genre, first picking up the guitar at age nine. Inspired by the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and Aldean, those influences can be heard throughout the five-song project.

The EP opens with “Love Today,” which shows Ludwig channeling his inner Kenny Chesney on the summery anthem. “I’m moving on // yesterday’s gone, I’ve been waiting on // Chin up, drink up, call an old friend up, It’s good to be alive, kinda smile on my face, yeah it’s gonna be okay,” He sings over the infectious melody and driving guitars. “I love today.” The song is the perfect introduction to Ludwig, the artist, as it’s a catchy country anthem, perfect for summer beach days and Instagram captions.

On “Sunset Town,” Ludwig paints a portrait of moving on from a failed relationship in a beachside town of open-air bars, boats, and happy hours. On the power ballad, Ludwig muses that he’ll “probably end up in some sunset town,” and it’s impossible not to picture him on a beach somewhere.

Of the album’s third track, co-written by Eric Arjes and Tursi, Ludwig reveals that,””How It Rolls” is everything I love about country music. It takes you away and leaves you flying high for three minutes. It teleports you to a feeling, where you’re so enamored by a person that everything in your world appears to be rolling the right way. That’s what all of these songs are — they’re moments in time. We’re just trying to capture those moments properly.”

Of the album’s fourth track, “Malibu Blue,” Ludwig says he played it for his now-wife on their first date. For that reason, the song holds a special place in his heart. “We focused on songs that really resonate,” Ludwig said. “A ‘hit’ isn’t necessarily a No. 1. It’s a song that sticks in your head for years. I remember when I first listened to our recording of ‘Malibu Blue.’ My now-wife and I were on one of our first date together, and I played it for her…I’ll never forget hearing it for the first time.”

The EP closes with “Summer Crazy,” the only track on this project co-written by Ludwig. It celebrates all of the great things that make summertime so magical. The song is akin to a modern version of Kenny Chesney’s “Summertime,” and we can’t wait to blast it at a tailgate.

While many actors try to transition into country music, for some it seems like they’re simply taking on another role. However, for Alexander Ludwig, the EP is truly a passion project. “I’m here for the long haul,” he says. “This isn’t some actor who comes to Nashville and expects the world to be handed to him. That’s not who I am. My heart and soul are in this music, and I’ll do whatever it takes to continue earning my spot in this community.”

Alexander Ludwig's new self-titled debut EP is available now, May 21st on all streaming platforms

Alexander Ludwig’s new self-titled debut EP is available now, May 21st 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 Alexander Ludwig announcements and releases.

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

Alexander Ludwig 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.

Blake-shelton-body-language-deluxe

Blake Shelton: ‘Body Language’ – Album Review

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Blake Shelton’s new album, Body Language, featuring “Happy Anywhere,” “Minimum Wage,” and the title track co-written by The Swon Brothers is out now, May 21st. Read our full review of the project below.

For an artist like Blake Shelton, it would be easy to rest on his laurels, his greatest hits, and his seemingly permanent seat on NBC’s The Voice. However, Shelton has continued to release new music, including a greatest hits collection in 2019 and 2017’s Texoma Shore. Today, May 21, Shelton released his first full-length offering in nearly four years, Body Language.

The album opens with “Minimum Wage,” a hooky uptempo which finds Shelton comparing his woman’s love to money, as that love can “make a man feel rich on minimum wage.” Despite initially capturing some negative and unwarranted social media attention, the song is the perfect intro to Body Language with an anthemic sound that is somehow typical of Shelton while also introducing a new, more confident troubadour. 

The title track features former “Team Blake” members, The Swon Brothers, and was co-written by the 2013 The Voice contestants, along with Matt McGinn and Ryan Beaver. When the duo played the song for their mentor, Shelton was immediately taken aback and asked to record what has become one of his favorite tracks. “It’s such a cool phrase,” Shelton says of the title track. “The song has really proven itself over time. Even after my producer Scott [Hendricks] put the album together and listened and lived with it for a while, it jumped out every time and still never gets skipped listening back.”

The sunny side of Shelton is on display on songs like “Whatcha Doin’ Tomorrow?,” “The Girl Can’t Help It,” “Happy Anywhere” and “Makin’ It Up As You Go,” which is the perfect summer track, despite being a breakup song. “How long does it take for a heart to unbreak?” Shelton croons breezily. “I’m just makin’ it up as I go.” Meanwhile, “Happy Anywhere” features Shelton’s fiance, Gwen Stefani, and highlights airy steel guitar punctuated by Stefani’s background vocals. 

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows on Body Language, however, as Shelton is feeling bittersweet on “Now I Don’t,” reminiscing about his ex and all the ways he’s moved on from his broken heart. Co-written by Jessi Alexander, Alysa Vanderheym, and Michael Hardy, the song has Shelton defiant in the face of heartbreak. “I took a pretty good beatin’ to bounce back // Now I’m back on my feet laughing at the fact // That I ever used to wish I could get you back,” Shelton sings. “‘Cause now I don’t.”

While Shelton experiments with different sounds on Body Language, one of the album’s most tried and true country songs is “Corn,” a tongue-in-cheek ode to the vegetable Shelton has most often surrounded himself with. While it may be silly, it’s a fun and fiddle-filled three minutes. If Luke Bryan’s “Rain Is a Good Thing,” had a long-lost cousin, “Corn” would certainly be it.

“Monday Mornin’ Missin’ You” is Shelton at his most Shelton, with its modern meets traditional country sound, while “Neon Time” is another beachy anthem. Co-written by Jaron Boyer, Michael Tyler, and Ben West, the track is a musical vacation, an ode to slipping into a bar and escaping real life for the weekend. “Yeah, we’re living on neon time // Smoking up the room and clearing our minds // Little lean back and kick it // Little cold beer with it,” Shelton croons. “Let it hit ya just right, yeah // Something ’bout the way the neon shines // It goes perfect with a Friday night // You ain’t thinking ‘bout 9 to 5 // When you’re living on neon time.”

The album ends with “Bible Verses,”  a somber and introspective look at a complicated relationship with religion. “As far as saving me goes, it’s a battle up a hill,” Shelton admits as he tries to find solace in the Bible, feeling like he’s not measuring up to what’s inside. For now, Shelton is trying to give himself a little grace, as he longs for a better day. “That I can open up the good book // And heaven don’t look like it’s out of reach // When it feels like those apostles are giving me the gospel // And not the third degree,” He reflects on the stunning track. “Like bible verses and not the bible versus me.”

On Body Language, Blake Shelton stays true to himself, releasing a classic Shelton collection that still manages to sound new and fresh. With songs like “Bible Verses,” “Happy Anywhere,” and “Neon Time,” Shelton has ensured that he’ll achieve the one goal he had with putting out this album. “I want to have some great country songs to sing,” he revealed. “I want people to hear the album and enjoy it.”

Shelton will be hitting the road later this year for the Friends and Heroes Tour 2021, kicking off August 18 in Omaha, Nebraska. The tour will hit Philadelphia on September 2, featuring special guests Martina McBride, Tracy Bryd, Trace Adkins, and Lindsay Ell.

NYCS Picks:

  1. Body Language
  2. Happy Anywhere
  3. Corn
  4. Neon Time
Blake Shelton's new album, Body Language is available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms

Blake Shelton’s new album, Body Language is available now, May 21st, 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 Blake Shelton announcements and releases.

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

Body Language 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.

Alan Jackson: ‘Where Have You Gone’ – Album Review

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After nearly six years, Alan Jackson is back with a full-length collection of new music through his 14th studio album, Where Have You Gone, available now, May 14th on all streaming platforms. Take a look as we discuss maintaining country roots, the beauty of less being more & the grace portrayed by this esteemed country music veteran.

With ample subheaders emerging from the development of country music, it is indeed a breath of fresh air to be shipped back to the roots. The worn-down cowboy boot, wide-legged jean, and slow-dancin’ in your living room to the record type of country. It’s like a long-overdue return back home. Alan Jackon’s 14th studio album, Where Have You Gone is a time capsule that has been unchained at a seemingly stand-still yet fruitful moment in time.

In fact, the title track, which simultaneously acts as the album intro song, lays an intensely beautiful violin arrangement over a pining, wistful-eyed vocal component that speaks truth to the re-emergence of traditional country.

“It’s been way too long since you slipped away // I just can’t forget, I can’t pretend it’s okay // No other one could ever replace you // So I’ll keep on believing and dreaming of you…”

“Merle and George and Hank, A lot of young people liked that music when I was growing up, but it felt like nobody was making it. Somebody had to go to Nashville to make that kind of country,” Jackson explains in a recent press release. “Randy (Travis) did and was great. But real country music is gone. It feels like 1985 again, and somebody has to bring it back.”

Though, Jackson does not solely want to wear dusted off yet incredibly well-suited boots. “I Can Be That Something” suggests, rather subtly hints at, the versatility within this GRAMMY-winning, Entertainer of the Year that holds an outstanding record of thirty-five #1 hits as well as well-maintained classics such as “Remember When”, “Chattahoochee” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffet.

“But I can be that whiskey in your bottle // I can be that smile that takes away your tears // I can be the place you just want to run to // I can be that something to get you through…”

While Where Have You Gone politely yet sternly requests a return to country music origins while widening the scope to incorporate a desirable taste for any occasion, Jackson has stayed true to himself. “I never felt the need to chase anything different than I did,” Jackson confesses. “I just did what I liked and was lucky enough to connect with people who love the same kind of country music I do. My heart was in the real country music, that was what I wanted to do.”

The new album showcases a broad range of “Things That Matter”, a song that teeters on a similar wavelength as his 2003 single “Remember When”, which climbed to the top of the charts and remains a timeless, responsive piece. From the raw sentiment of writing a song for his daughter’s wedding, flirting with an excess of bourbon, a manual on making love last in “The Boot” and a farewell to his mother who passed in 2017, this only scratches the surface of the complete collection of music released by this astounding and unwavering entertainer.

“I know I’ve changed, but I’m still pretty much the same person who came to Nashville all those years ago,” Jackson simplifies. “I still eat beans and cornbread.”

Jackson has indeed brought country “Back” where it belongs with his hat and boots in tow.

Alan Jackson's 'Where Have You Gone' is available now, May 14th

Alan Jackson’s ‘Where Have You Gone’ is available now, May 14th

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

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

Where Have You Gone 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.

Kenny Chesney: ‘Here And Now Deluxe’ – Album Review

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Kenny Chesney’s Here And Now Deluxe Album is available now, May 7th, everywhere you buy or stream music. Read our full album review and check out the new music below.

Kenny Chesney's 'Here And Now Deluxe Album', is out now May 7th

Kenny Chesney’s ‘Here And Now Deluxe Album’, is out now May 7th

Last May, eight-time Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney released his 18th studio album Here and Now, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced singles “Tip of My Tongue,” the title track, “Happy Does,” and its current single, “Knowing You.” On March 25th, Chesney announced some disappointing, but understandable news to his No Shoes Nation when he postponed the much anticipated Chillaxification Tour for the second straight year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, three days later he boosted our spirits with the announcement of a deluxe version of the album. On Friday, May 7th, fans got to listen to those four brand new songs, which include “Wind On,” “Fields of Glory,” “My Anthem,” and “Streets.”

“With ‘Knowing You’ finding its way up the charts, and so much music on Here And Now for people to still explore, there was all this music we’ve made,” he said in a recent press release. “I decided I didn’t want to wait for the next album. I wanted these four songs to be part of what Here And Now is – making Here And Now Deluxe maybe shows a little bit of a now we never saw coming.”

Even when Chesney explores more sensitive topics on this album, like on “Everyone She Knows” and “Someone to Fix,” they still promote an easy-listening vibe; these new tracks are no different. “Wind On” is an upbeat song about taking a ride and leaving all your worries behind. He reminds the listeners of the importance of living care-free on occasion. Penned by Rodney Clawson and Chesney’s good friend, David Lee Murphy, its simple lyrics and long, rocking instrumental at the end make this a fun, party song.

In the more mellow track, “Fields of Glory,” Chesney pays homage to literal fields–football and corn. He recollects on the sport, specifically going to the state championship, as well as summer nights with his friends–staying up late, sitting in truck beds, looking at the stars, and talking about the rest of their lives. Chesney has sung about his football career before, most notably on “Boys of Fall.”

“My Anthem,” written by Jason Gantt, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally, is a percussion-driven, pop-country love story about two teenagers trying to outrun their youth. The girl’s parents in the story were always fighting and the boys were making life decisions for him—they used each other as an escape from all of that. Sonically and lyrically, it’s reminiscent of “Setting the World on Fire,” his collaboration with P!nk from the Cosmic Hallelujah album.

In the final track, “Streets,” which Chesney wrote alongside Tom Douglas, he sings about life in the post-pandemic world. Throughout this powerful, uplifting, piano ballad, he highlights an average night in three cities, New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. In New York, two people find love in Time Square, the Yankees are at bat, Billy Joel is headlining the Garden, and all is well. In L.A., tourists are back taking pictures at the Hollywood sign, locals are surfing, people are in line at Disneyland, and all is well. In Nashville, lower Broadway bars are open, young artists are beginning their musical journey, and all is well.

“Faith believes when it can’t see // In who we are and who we’re gonna be // Our lady in the harbor shinin’ like a citadel // And on the streets of America // All is well”

Like so many artists over the past fourteen months, Chesney has used this time off to reflect on the people he loves and the things in life that bring him joy, which translated into new music that came straight from the heart of this Eastern Tennessee native.

“It’s funny what you learn when you’re forced to stop,” Chesney began. “I have always loved songs and songwriters, being in the studio with the most creative people. But over the last year, as much as I’ve loved making music – I always have, I’ve realized how much I truly live and breathe songs.”

Kenny Chesney – Here and Now Deluxe tracklist:

1. “We Do”
2. “Here and Now”
3. “Everyone She Knows”
4. “Wasted”
5. “Knowing You”
6. “Heartbreakers”
7. “Someone to Fix”
8. “Happy Does”
9. “Tip of My Tongue”
10. “You Don’t Get To”
11. “Beautiful World”
12. “Guys Named Captain”
13. “Wind On”
14. “Fields of Glory”
15. “My Anthem”
16. “Streets”

Although there will be no tour this summer, we can almost guarantee he will be back on the road next year. Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets for the Chillaxification Tour, as they will be valid for the 2022 date.

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

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

Here And Now Deluxe 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.

Travis Tritt: ‘Set in Stone’ – Album Review

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Travis Tritt’s new album, Set in Stone, is available now, May 7th, everywhere you buy or stream music. Read our full album review and check out the new music below.

Travis Tritt's new album, 'Set In Stone', is out now May 7th

Travis Tritt’s new album, ‘Set In Stone’, is out now May 7th

For country legend Travis Tritt, Set in Stone marks his first studio album in thirteen years. Produced by acclaimed producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, The Highwomen), the album is Tritt through and through, featuring eleven new songs, eight of which were co-written by the Opry member. 

The album opens with “Stand Your Ground,” a rocking uptempo inspired by a conversation between Tritt and Waylon Jennings. “There ain’t no substitution for the truth,” Tritt wails, clearly inspired by the likes of Jennings and Hank Williams Jr, “Don’t ever let them turn your head around // Just stand your ground.” Tritt recalls Jennings giving him the following advice that led to the song, “Don’t pay any attention to what those people say. They’re not the ones that buy your tickets to your shows. They don’t know your audience the way that you do, so you just stick with your program.”

This is a theme that follows through much of the album, as Tritt remains true to the sound and style that has endeared him to fans for decades. On the album’s title track “Set in Stone,” Tritt sounds remarkably similar to Chris Stapleton, which is never a bad thing. On the twangy mid-tempo track, Tritt celebrates his legacy, “I don’t worry about when I’m gone // My legacy is set in stone.”

On “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More” and “Smoke in a Bar,” Tritt is longing for the olden days. While the former is a twangy up-tempo about cars and women, the latter is a sentimental ode to simpler times. “They say we’ve come a long way,” Tritt argues. “But I’d say it’s a little too far // From when the world turned slower // And you could smoke in a bar.”

“Smoke in a Bar” is one of the album’s finest moments, hearkening back to the storytelling days of 90s country music, which Tritt says was the intention. “For so many years country music told the greatest stories of any kind of music genre out there and we’ve gotten away from that. People are nostalgic not only for that kind of music but also for that way of life…It’s all nostalgia,” He says. “This is a song that is talking about longing for a time gone by when you could sit on your front porch and talk, go to bed without locking the front door, and just simple things like that. Those days seem to be gone forever.  Songs like this are songs that people can relate to that yearn for those simpler times and good ole days.”

“Leave This World,” which Tritt co-wrote with Ashley Monroe, is another slow-burn waltz of a track, his vocals shimmying carefully over the sounds of a steel guitar. It’s the ultimate love song as Tritt begs to leave this world hand-in-hand with the love of his life. “I’d do anything I have to do // But I don’t want to leave this world without you.”

The album’s driving first single, “Ghost Town Nation” invites the listener to make the best of a bad situation, inspired in many ways by the pandemic. “It ain’t no big deal,” He muses. “It’s just armageddon.” On the uptempo track, he escapes to the wilderness to escape real life, “making the best of a bad situation, getting by fine in a ghost town nation.”

The album ends with the bonus track, “Way Down in Georgia,” a stomping bluesy ode to his home state that reminds us of Marc Broussard’s “Home.” It’s the perfect conclusion to an album that shows Tritt evolving musically while still staying true to his roots.

On Set in Stone, Tritt stays true to his soulful grit and country sound, while also managing to sound much like a modern-day outlaw. With driving guitar licks, twangy piano, soulful background vocals, and Tritt’s tried and true country voice on full display, Set in Stone is a must-listen for all country fans.

TRACKLIST:

  1.     “Stand Your Ground” (Travis Tritt, Wayne B. Durrett III, Channing Wilson)
  2.     “Set In Stone” (Travis Tritt, Brent Cobb, Adam Hood)
  3.     “Ghost Town Nation”(Aaron Raitiere, JB Strauss)
  4.     “Smoke In A Bar” (Jeremy Bussey, Derek George, Tim Montana)
  5.     “Leave This World” (Travis Tritt, Ashley Monroe)
  6.     “They Don’t Make Em’ Like That No More (Travis Tritt, Matthew Dillon Carmichael)
  7.     “Better Off Dead” (Travis Tritt, Adam Hood)
  8.     “Southern Man” (Travis Tritt, Channing Wilson)
  9.     “Open Line” (Travis Tritt, Brent Cobb)
  10. “Ain’t Who I Was” (Brent Cobb, Adam Hood)
  11. “Way Down In Georgia” (Travis Tritt, Dennis Anthony Robbins, Troy Seals)

NYCS Picks:

  1. Smoke in a Bar
  2. Stand Your Ground
  3. Way Down In Georgia

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

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

Set In Stone 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.