First Impression Archives

Elvie Shane: ‘Damascus’ – Album Review

April 19, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Elvie Shane’s brand new album, Damascus is out now, April 19th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

For Elvie Shane, his sophomore album, Damascus, is a continuation of a story that began with his debut project, Backslider. Released in late 2021, his Broken Bow debut was an autobiography of sorts, sharing his personal journey, while his new LP continues to tell that story while mixing in those of others.

“I feel like I’ve grown a lot since Backslider,” Shane shares in a statement. “I’ve attained just about everything I’ve ever dreamed of…seen the world and made a living with music. I’ve been on top and back down in the mud. In that travel and experience, I’ve paid close attention to people more than anything. I’ve seen a lot of struggle, but in that struggle, I found common ground and inspiration,” he continues. “Damascus is a record that aims to pick a fight with what holds people down. Normal everyday Blue Collar America…my people. These are not all my stories, but they are all stories I believe to be true.”

Throughout the collection, the “My Boy” singer dabbles in hip hop, blues, soul, 80’s, and of course country. He pairs his powerful voice with choirs, female background vocalists, unexpected instrumentation, and even Little Big Town.

Produced by Oscar Charles and featuring thirteen songs written or co-written by Shane, Damascus is truly an album that makes a statement. “It’s just so raw. It makes me feel like I felt when I was a kid, pissed off at the world and rocking headphones on the school bus,” he says. “I don’t wanna ever be put in a box where I can’t explore the craziest music. And this way I had an excuse to put it all on one record.”

The album opens with “Outside Dog,” unexpectedly pairing twangy guitars with a hip-hop-meets-scat-inspired melody that finds Shane an outsider. “I’m an outside dog howling along,” He growls over thumping guitars, comparing himself to a pup who never quite fits in. It’s the perfect opener for Damascus with its unexpected sounds and message of nonconformity.

Much of the album finds Shane exploring similar themes, appreciating his Appalachian roots, while also escaping them. “What Do I Know?” is a clear example of this, a slow and moody track that finds him looking back at his raising over a downtuned guitar. The song builds to an incredible climax as the singer-songwriter growls in an almost prayerful passion, “What do I know?”

“I think red lipstick on a woman’s lips look sexy // I think coke’s okay, but it’s way damn better with Jack // I think the outlaws, Waylon and Johnny are gone forever // I think Jesus // He’s coming back // Oh, but what do I know // what do I know // I’m just a hard-working, beer-working, son of an average Joe // Like to think there ain’t nothing that I can’t fix with a hammer and crescent wrench, oh, but what do I know // what do I know // what do I know”

“Appalachian Alchemy” and “Forgotten Man” are also nods to his upbringing, with the latter a soaring Springsteen-esque anthem. “The color of my neck is still the same as my blood,” He proclaims. “Send me off to school // Try to turn me to a scholar // Can’t unpaint the blue on my collar”

Throughout Damascus, the background vocalists often shine, adding incredible depth to these already-powerful songs. While the vocalists are not always known to the listener, there’s one exception: Little Big Town. The harmonic quartet join Shane on “First Place,” a driving uptempo that finds him drowning his sorrows in the bottle. Here, he’s drinking to forget but this is a song to remember with its incredible vocals. Shane blends seamlessly with the synchrony of the iconic band, providing an epic moment that would be a live show-stopper.

The Kentucky native also touches on more sensitive topics on the album, including prison, addiction, and seeking out a fix. “Jonesin” is a wild up-tempo that finds him on the hunt for what’s next, and what’s bigger or better to give a quick fix. Meanwhile, “215634” is a tune about one’s time spent behind bars. “These 4 cold walls, they don’t change much,” He sings. “Oh My name ain’t my name no more…it’s 215634.”

“Pill” is truly a powerful and poignant moment on the album, dealing with the Opioid crisis and the effect it has on families. “’Pill’ is my story, told from the perspective of a note to me from my little brother in my most trying times. It’s an apology to those I love for the turmoil I put them through,” Shane said in a statement. “But for me this goes way beyond just what my family and I have gone through. I want to be a vessel and share other people’s struggles and experiences, even if it helps one person, that means I did my job.”

“Fan on High” offers a moment of levity on the LP with its dancehall inspired music and incredible sliding piano. Meanwhile, “Winning Horse” is a love song that features driving percussion meant to emulate a horse running as he implores someone to “take this love to the finish line.”

“Baptized” also offers a clever take on a love song, bluesy and punctuated with powerful choir-like background vocals throughout the slow groove of a track. Frankly, Shane is in no rush to discover heaven if it can’t top what he has on earth.

“If this ain’t heaven on earth // Not sure what heaven is worth // ‘Cause I damn sure ain’t in a hurry to get there // If there ain’t moments like this // Lost in the rush of your kiss // Found in the touch of your skin, out somewhere // Down that same Wild Creek Road // Where sins get set afloat// Washed by the want in your eyes // Baptized”

The album ends with the powerful “Does Heaven Have a Creek,” which also finds the singer grappling with the afterlife. It’s a Gospel-inspired piano ballad that came from questions he struggled with after the passing of his grandmother. It’s “simply the wondering mind of a believer,” shares Shane. “A testimony of hope that Heaven has a few of the simple pleasures we enjoy here on earth. Is Heaven only for A-List Christians? Is there room for a prodigal ‘Good Ole Boy’ from Kentucky just trying to live a decent life and be a good man?”

Elvie Shane is truly unapologetic yet triumphant on Damascus, blending styles and sounds with incredible vocals and honesty that creates a must-listen for music fans.

Damascus Tracklist

Outside Dog (Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Jonathan Sherwood)
What Do I Know (written by Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Dan Couch, Jonathan Sherwood)
Jonesin’ (feat. Jenna McClelland) (Elvie Shane, Oscar Charles, Ryan Tyndell, Jeremy Spillman)
Baptized (Elvie Shane, Luke Preston, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles)
Forgotten Man (Elvie Shane, Luke Preston, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles)
Pill (Elvie Shane, Lee Starr, Nick Columbia)
215634 (Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Ben Chapman)
Appalachian Alchemy (Elvie Shane, Luke Preston)
First Place (feat. Little Big Town) (Elvie Shane, Adam Wood, Dan Couch, Jakob Miller)
Winning Horse (Elvie Shane, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles)
Fan On High (Elvie Shane, Driver Williams, Hayes Carll)
Chicken Shit (Elvie Shane, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell, Oscar Charles)
Does Heaven Have A Creek (Elvie Shane)

Country Swag Picks:

What Do I Know
First Place (with Little Big Town)
Does Heaven Have a Creek
Forgotten Man

Elvie Shane shares his brand new album, ‘Damascus,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

For tour dates and more, visit Shane’s website here.

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

Damascus 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.

Ernest: ‘Nashville, Tennessee’ – Album Review

April 12, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Dylan Bestler

Ernest releases his brand new album, Nashville, Tennessee, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

Country is cool again, and ERNEST proves that in his new album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. Although renowned for his multi-platinum songs such as “Son of a Sinner” (Jelly Roll), “Big, Big Plans” (Chris Lane) and “More Than My Hometown” (Morgan Wallen), among others, this marks the third studio album for the Nashville-native. ERNEST pays homage to the great city that raised him from childhood to country hitmaker.

With a healthy 26-tracks, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE contains different sounds and themes, as well as a variety of features and covers. Overall, this album is very COUNTRY, which is especially unique for someone who has made his career off more “pop,” even “beachy” country songs. Banjo and steel guitar are littered all over the record, more notably in songs such as “How’d We Get Here,” the somber “Ain’t As Easy,” the fast-paced “Smokin’ Gun,” and “Kiss of Death.”

Humor is another trait ERNEST prominently displays. He first exhibited his comedy on “Drunk With My Friends” on his sophomore album, Flower Shops (The Album): Two Dozen Roses, and we see it again in songs like “I Went To College / I Went To Jail,” “One More Heartache,” “Honkytonk Fairytale,” and the amusing “Redneck Sh*ttt.” In One More Heartache,” the singer admits this love is causing severe emotional bruising, but he has room for one more ‘do me right then do me wrong’ situation. The lonely singer in “Honkytonk Fairytale” sits at the bar wishing his whiskey bottle had a genie inside so it can bring his ex back. “Redneck Sh*ttt” is a super catchy, hip-hop styled anthem about…well, doing redneck sh*t.

“Doin’ redneck sh*t // It’s just how all us rednecks get // When we get around other rednecks // Out where rednecks live // Y’all, it ain’t my fault, there ain’t no asphalt // Way out here in the sticks // Just a bunch of redneck sh*t”

ERNEST brought five friends and one family member on the record. Jelly Roll features in the aforementioned “I Went To College / I Went To Jail,” where the two compare their upbringings. Although they both took very different paths, they both ended up as artists on Music Row. On what might be the greatest vocal moment on the album, Lainey Wilson features on “Would If I Could.” The two lovers want to rekindle their relationship, but known deep-down it is not the best long-term decision. Newcomer, Lukas Nelson provides his vocals on one of the most country songs on the record, “Why Dallas,” where he blames the city for stealing his woman away from him. What will likely be the most popular song (mainly because of the other artists on it) “Hanging On” with Morgan Wallen is a more modern-sounding track that has the man hung up on a one-night fling with a stunner at the bar.

“You left me hangin’ on // By a thread of them blue jeans // Baby now I’m wondering where it all went wrong // You got me hangin’ on on”

ERNEST included a cover of “Twinkle, Twinkle” with his son, Ryman, live at Fenway Park on Wallen’s One Night At A Time Tour. HARDY and ERNEST teamed up for a country cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Given his current career path, it makes sense that he chose HARDY to cover this one with, but we were shocked hearing its traditional country sound rather than HARDY’s new, hard rock vibe. He also covered another non-country song—John Mayer’s metaphoric “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.” ERNEST recorded his own version of Cole Swindell’s “Sayin’ You Love Me,” which he originally wrote for Swindell’s Stereotype record. We wonder, out of all the songs he has wrote for other artists, why he chose this one to include on the record. Whatever the reason, we approve of his rendition!

Love and heartache are other major themes on the album in other songs such as “Never Said I Love You,” “You Don’t Have To Die,” “Too Late,” and “Summertime Flies.” The album closes with “Bars On My Heart,” and “Dollar To Cash,” with the former being an uplifting way to reflect on all that heartbreak. The singer credits this honkytonk for getting her off his mind. In the latter, the singer goes over his will, concluding that he owes his entire life to country music. So, he decides that his final dollars will go into the jukebox to play Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Cash songs.

“Play some Loretta // And dial up some Jones // Don’t rock the jukebox // Play old country songs // Can’t take it with me // When I’m six feet under that grass // So give my last paycheck to Paycheck // And my last dollar to Cash”

Although massive albums are the norm now, it’s impressive to have a collection of songs that are so different and unique. What’s even more extraordinary is that ERNEST co-wrote 20 of the 26 tracks. ERNEST did right with his tribute of Music City, and if cities could speak, Nashville would be proud of NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

Nashville, Tennessee Tracklist:

I Went To College / I Went To Jail (feat. Jelly Roll) (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Rivers Rutherford, Luke Bryan)
Ain’t As Easy (Ernest Keith Smith, Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Chandler Paul Walters)
Why Dallas (feat. Lukas Nelson) (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Grady Block, Jordan Merrigan, Lukas Nelson)
One More Heartache (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
Hangin’ On (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rhys Rutherford, Jacob Durrett, Rafe Tenpenny)
Did It For The Story (Ernest Keith Smith, John Byron, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
How’d We Get Here (Ernest Keith Smith)
Never Said I Love You (Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Paul Walters)
Would If I Could (feat. Lainey Wilson) (Dean Dillon, Donald Ewing II)
Honkytonk Fairytale (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Dallas Wilson, Brad Clawson)
Smokin’ Gun (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Grady Block, Ryan Vojtesak, Blake Pendergrass)
Twinkle Twinkle (Live At Fenway Park) [feat. Ryman Saint] (Jane Taylor)
Life Goes On (Ernest Keith Smith, Ashley Gorley, Ryan Vojtesak)
If You Don’t Know By Now (Clint Daniels, Dale Dodson)
You Don’t Have To Die (Clint Ingersoll, Chris Stapleton)
Redneck Sh*ttt (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
Small Town Goes (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Cody Lohden, Ryan Vojtesak, Chandler Paul Walters)
Kiss Of Death (Ernest Keith Smith, Andy Albert, Ryan Vojtesak)
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room (John Clayton Mayer)
Ain’t Too Late (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Chandler Paul Walters, Jordan Merrigan, Cody Lohden)
Sayin’ You Love Me (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, James McNair)
Summertime Flies (Ernest Keith Smith, Rafe Tenpenny, Grady Block, Jacob Durrett, Ross Portaro)
Ain’t Right Ain’t Wrong (Ernest Keith Smith, Rhys Rutherford, Ryan Vojtesak)
Creep (feat. Hardy) (Colin Greenwood, Jonathan Greenwood, Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood, Edward O’Brien, Philip Selway, Thomas Yorke)
Bars On My Heart (Ernest Keith Smith, Mark Holman, Nicolle Galyon)
Dollar To Cash (Ernest Keith Smith, Grady Block, Rafe Tenpenny, Brett Tyler)

Country Swag Picks:

“Redneck Sh*ttt”
“I Went To College / I Went To Jail”
“Small Town Goes”
“One More Heartache”
“Dollar To Cash”

Ernest shares his brand new album, ‘Nashville, Tennessee,’ out now on alls streaming platforms.

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

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

Nashville, Tennessee is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Here Is Walker County’s Debut Album ‘Painted Ponies’

April 12, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Walker County releases their brand new debut album, Painted Ponies, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

After making waves in the country music industry, Walker County are finally releasing their brand new debut album and re-introducing themselves. The duo comprised of sisters, Ivy and Sophie Walker share their new, eleven song project, Painted Ponies, out today (4/12). Each of the songs speak to their incredible songwriting prowess, their knack for crafting a relatable song, and of course, their journey thus far as they navigating the windy road that is the music industry.

The sister duo created this record with the support of producer, Paul Sikes who encouraged them to make the record they always wanted to make. “We needed to break free,” says the duo in a recent interview with People. “We want to run with this passion that we have for music, and we’re finally taking that opportunity to run. These songs definitely correlate with our whole journey with becoming an independent artist.”

Listen to the brand new album now, Painted Ponies now to get a taste of what Walker County are all about!

Painted Ponies Tracklist:

20%
The Thing About Fences
Hits Home
Settling’s for Dust
Double-Wide World
Skeletons
Small Pond
What You Don’t Get
Handwritten
Two Birds
Painted Ponies

Walker County shares their new album, ‘Painted Ponies,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

Painted Ponies is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Tyler Hubbard: ‘Strong’ – Album Review

April 12, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Tyler Hubbard releases his brand new album, Strong, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

For Tyler Hubbard, much of his sophomore album, Strong, was inspired by Keith Urban. The former Florida Georgia Line frontman spent months touring with the Aussie superstar while writing this project and honing his craft. “We were watching him play every night, and his live show is just high energy, fun and a great time,” shares Hubbard. “We wanted to write songs good enough to make Keith jealous (laughs).”

Of the album’s thirteen tracks, Hubbard wrote or co-wrote all of them, while also co-producing alongside Jordan Schmidt. For the EMI Nashville artist, the album represents a natural growth and solidification of his sound as a solo artist. Here, he examines themes of love, loss, heartbreak, nostalgia, and celebrating life.

The album opens with “Wish You Would,” an 80’s-tinted mid-tempo that was crafted purely with a good time in mind. Written as a live show opener, the track also makes the perfect album opener, as Hubbard implores someone to “Be my up all nighter and my morning light, be my shotgun rider, my every Sunday drive.”

Of the track, he reveals, “We were aiming for something fun with a fresh sound and a little different – channeling a show-opener type of vibe. This song was just a natural, fun song, and not much of it changed from the demo to the studio, which is always great.”

That type of vibe is prevalent throughout the album, weaving its way through songs like the semi-autobiographical “Park,” “A Lot With a Little,” and “Night Like That.” The latter was specifically crafted with a live show in mind, and the result is the perfect party starter. “It’s now just one of those songs where you want to hear it on a Friday night — just get the party started and set the mood right,” shares Hubbard in a statement. “We’ve all been there and just needed a night like that in some form or fashion.”

Hubbard also taps into themes of nostalgia and longing for simpler times throughout Strong, evident on song like “Back Then Right Now,” “American Mellencamp,” “Summer Talkin’” and “Take Me Back.” While “Summer Tallkin’’ is an ode to a fleeting summer romance, “Back Then Right Now” finds him dreaming of simpler times and feeling nostalgic for his younger days. “Back then, it was simple, it was slow,” He muses. “We didn’t worry ‘bout what we didn’t know.”

“Take Me Back” is a clever mid-tempo love song to his hometown. While Hubbard admits that he left there at a young age, it’s his hometown that made him who he is, and he hopes they can forgive him, their prodigal son.

“I think about you when a summer rain falls // I sing about you when I’m writin’ these songs // Didn’t forget about you for a minute // I know I hurt you and it hurts to admit It // I hate that I left you without a goodbye // Would you forgive me, give it one more try // Do I stand a chance if I ever come back around // Would you take me back, hometown?”

The introspective singer-songwriter also takes things down a more personal route with “‘73 Beetle,” a song he considers a continuation to “Miss My Daddy.” Hubbard wrote the song about his deceased father and one of their favorite pastimes. “This song is written about a really personal part of my life. It’s part of one of the things my dad and I loved to do together,” he shares. “I still have that car – that ‘73 beetle. It’s not completely finished, but it’s close. Every line is a true story in this song. And, it’s the only song on this album I wrote solely by myself.”

“Vegas” is a fun standout, a whimsical take on love at first sight that has Hubbard prepared to take a girl to Vegas and wife her up immediately. Meanwhile, “BNA” is another standout with its sunny instrumentation that allows the Georgia native to experiment with a new sound. He admits that the goal of the airport-inspired tune was to have an “80s/1975 undertone vibe” and that the super catchy tune does just that.

The album closes with its titular track, a lyrical representation of Hubbard’s love for his wife, Hayley. “It’s kind of a cool way to express that in a country boy-type of way. There’s something powerful about talking about the strength of the things I touch on in the song, but ultimately, it’s how I have felt since the beginning with her,” he shares.

In addition to representing his relationship with his wife, Hubbard admits that “Strong” is a true representation of this LP and his career at the moment. “It represents the overall project and where I am. It’s also how I’m feeling. And, hopefully, it helps and encourages others to kind of channel their inner strength in a way that can be fun. We are all probably a lot stronger than we think. Yes, it has multiple layers, but I do love the heart behind this song…I’m glad this made the record, and I’m so glad this song is going to get to live in a live show.”

Strong Tracklist:

Wish You Would (Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder and Chris LaCorte)
Park (Tyler Hubbard, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley and Canaan Smith)
A Lot With A Little (Tyler Hubbard, Casey Brown and Parker Welling)
Night Like That (Tyler Hubbard, Andy Albert and Jordan Schmidt)
Take Me Back (Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder and Chris LaCorte)
Back Then Right Now (Tyler Hubbard, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia and Geoff Warburton)
Vegas (Tyler Hubbard, Andy Albert and Jordan Schmidt)
Turn (Tyler Hubbard, Casey Brown and Josh Miller)
American Mellencamp (Tyler Hubbard, Jaren Johnston and Jordan Schmidt)
BNA (Tyler Hubbard, Chase McGill and Jordan Schmidt)
Summer Talkin’ (Tyler Hubbard, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley)
‘73 Beetle (Tyler Hubbard)
Strong (Tyler Hubbard, Matt Dragstrem and Josh Miller)

Country Swag Picks:

Take Me Back
BNA
Vegas
Strong

Tyler Hubbard saures his brand new album, ‘Strong,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

This summer, Hubbard will be hitting the road with Kane Brown’s In The Air Tour. For tour dates and more, visit his website here.

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

Strong is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Riley Green: ‘Way Out Here’ – EP Review

April 12, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Riley Green releases his brand new EP, Way Out Here, out now, April 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

On his new EP, Way Out Here, Riley Green continues to establish himself as one of the genre’s most consistent hitmakers. The seven song collection, released April 12, allows the singer-songwriter to get recorded versions of these songs into the hands of his fans.

“We’ve been playing these new songs on the road and wanted to get them to the fans as soon as possible,” said Green of his decision to release the EP. “I’m always working on new music and have more coming throughout the year.”

On the follow up to 2023’s Ain’t My Last Rodeo, the Alabama native wrote or co-wrote five of the collection’s seven tracks. Here, he pairs his modern traditional sound with poignant and personal lyrics.

The EP opens with “Jesus Saves,” a perfect song for Green that tugs at the heartstrings much in the vein of “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” On the sparse ballad, he tells the story of an encounter with a homeless man, sharing stories of how things ended up that way. It’s a story similar to Emerson Drive’s “Moments,” reminding listeners that appearances can be deceiving. “It’s hard to see all that when you’re driving by,” He sings of the man’s story. “So I just write down ‘Jesus Saves,’ ’cause there ain’t no way I could fit that on a sign.”

The EP also features the previously released “Way Out Here” and “Damn Good Day to Leave,” both of which are Green at his finest. On the latter, he’s tongue in cheek as he deals with a breakup with a positive attitude, while “Way Out” is a catchy celebration of all the best things about country life.

“We don’t take a dime if we ain’t earned it // When it comes to weight, brother, we pull our own // If it’s our backwoods where you live and you’re concerned with // Well, you can leave us alone // ‘Cause we’re about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere // Way out here”

“Good Morning from Mexico” is an immediate standout, a beachy and playful letter to the girl who broke his heart. On the tropical tinted tune, he lives it up in Mexico, saying “adios” to his ex. “Well good morning from Mexico, I found a little senorita, and she don’t wanna let me go, we got us a bungalow, and I’ve been living off of coconut and Modelo,” He muses. “Thought I never would recover, find another lover, Hey I guess you never know, so good morning from Mexico.”

“Pick A Place” is a mid-tempo ballad that’s dedicated to escaping the trappings of everyday life and finding somewhere to escape to in order to rekindle an old flame. “Just pick a place where hearts don’t break and I’ll open up a tab, somewhere we don’t know a soul and we can wash away the past,” He implores. “Somewhere it don’t hurt, girl, just say the word and I’m on my way, All you gotta do is pick a place”

Rounding out the EP is the swampy and blues-laden “Worst Way” and a fan favorite from Green’s live shows, a countrified cover of Bruce Springsteen’s classic, “Atlantic City.”

Way Out Here Tracklist:

Jesus Saves (Riley Green)
Way Out Here (Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy, Josh Thompson)
Atlantic City (Bruce Springsteen)
Good Morning from Mexico (Riley Green)
Damn Good Day to Leave (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jonathan Singleton, Nick Walsh)
Pick a Place (Riley Green, Erik Dylan)
Worst Way (Riley Green)

Country Swag Picks:

Good Morning from Mexico
Jesus Saves
Way Out Here
Riley Green shares his brand new EP, ‘Way Out Here,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

Green will make a stop at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh on April 24. Tour dates and more can be found here.

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

Way Out Here is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Blanco Brown: ‘Heartache & Lemonade’ – EP Review

April 5, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Dylan Bestler

Blanco Brown releases his new EP, Heartache & Lemonade EP, out now, April 5th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

The viral dance craze, “The Git Up,” put Atlanta native, Blanco Brown on the map in 2019. Fast forward five years, and fans finally have a follow-up to the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter’s debut album. The single “Sunshine Shine,” was released back in February. It’s ear-catching blend of playful melodies and good vibes are reminiscent of his number one single.

Brown branches out from his winning formula on the remaining three tracks with romance being the major theme. In the short opener, the singer is conflicted about what caused his most recent breakup and how he feels about it. “Tailgating In The Sun” and “As Good As It Gets” are love ballads. In the latter, there is a dramatic build-up as the chorus comes in; the singer expresses how much fun life is with his woman. In the bridge, Brown channels in his inner rock star, screeching the final word in front of an electric guitar. While “Tailgating In The Sun” sounds like another party anthem, it’s a mellow tune about how love prevails over everything. He speak-raps the final line:

“Yeah, I remember those summer days // It seemed like I could never get away // I thought I knew what love was // but now I understand what it means // To love even when you’re at the lowest”

Through Heartache and Lemonade, Blanco Brown reaffirms his reputation as a boundary-breaking artist. His ability to seamlessly blend genres enables him to craft a distinctive sound that makes listeners want to dance, cry, love, and everything in between.

“This EP feels a bit different for me,” Brown said in a recent press release. “I’ve now traveled the world, looked death in the eyes and somehow made it back alive. Bitter moments never lasted, sweeter moments brought me back to purpose…Heartache & Lemonade brings about a new chapter. Try turning some of your worst moments into a smile every once in a while.”

Heartache & Lemonade EP Tracklist:

Energy
Tailgating In The Sun
Good As It Gets
Sunshine Shine

Blanco Brown shares new EP, ‘Heartache & Lemonade,” out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

Heartache & Lemonade EP is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Sam Hunt: ‘Locked Up’ – EP Review

April 5, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Sam Hunt releases his brand new EP, Locked Up, out now, April 5th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

Sam Hunt is the type of artist who truly beats to his own drum. His rhythmic way of approaching music Chas garnered him millions of loyal fans, since he came on the country music scene. While it has been a windy road for the artist, Hunt has remained honest and true to his music through his songwriting and storytelling. Today, the singer-songwriter shares more of his own experiences and his talent in his brand new EP, Locked Up.

The new EP features four songs that feel like a teaser for what’s to come from Hunt. The record kicks off with the title track, written by Hunt with Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne. “Locked Up,” a catchy, mid-tempo song, depicts Hunt’s experience being charged for a DUI back in 2019. Throughout the song, he owns up to his “rowdy days” and shows appreciation for his wife for standing by his side. The song is a nice display of accountability hidden in an ear worm of a song.

Much like the final song off the EP, “Country House” feels reminiscent of older Hunt songs like “Body Like A Back Road.” The song celebrates where Hunt is in his life right now, settled down with a family to call his own. On the other hand, the other new song off the project, “Last Hurrah,” shows Hunt in a more introspective light. The song displays a man reminiscing about what happened to a wild girl he once new. “Last Hurrah” draw the listener in with the haunting vibes and relatable lyrics.

The four-song project wraps-up with his previously released song, “Outskirts.” On the surface, the single feels like just another fun song (and it is), but under the surface, the song depicts the story of a single man in the city, who finds himself reminiscing about what could have been with a lost love.

Locked Up Tracklist:

Locked Up (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
Country House (Sam Hunt, Ross Copperman, Michael Lotten, Josh Osborne)
Last Hurrah (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
Outskirts (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, Josh Osborne)

Sam Hunt’s new EP, ‘Locked Up’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

Locked Up is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Chayce Beckham: ‘Bad For Me’ – Debut Album Review

April 5, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Chayce Beckham releases his new debut album, Bad For Me, out now, April 5th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

Since winning the 19th season of American Idol in 2021, Chayce Beckham has been establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in country music. On the heels of his first radio #1, “23,” the California native released his debut album, Bad For Me, out now.

Featuring thirteen new songs, nine of which he wrote or co-wrote, the album allows the introspective and unapologetic vocalist to soar. Produced by Bart Butler, the album features songs co-written by some of Nashville’s biggest names, including Brett James, Parker McCollum, Andy Albert, Natalie Hemby, Randy Montana, and more.

“Once I finished recording this album and had time to live with it, I felt the title Bad For Me fit perfectly. It sums up a lot of my own faults,” reveals Beckham in a statement. “I like a lot of stuff that’s bad for me, even though it ends up being kryptonite but that’s all a part of being human. I am so proud of this record. I just hope there’s a song on this album that makes somebody feel something.”

Accepting his vices is a common theme of the LP, as Beckham struggles with moving on from a broken relationship, drowning himself in alcohol, dealing with addiction to a toxic woman, and so much more. The album’s title track is an introspective ballad that finds him doing just that, growling through lines like “Tonight I want something bad for me that’s gonna keep me up and losing sleep” and “I want that poison in her kiss to run right through my veins.”

Likewise, the rousing “Waylon in ‘75” and the album’s opening track, “Devil I’ve Been” continue with that outlaw vibe. “Devil” is a blistering and stomping ditty that allows the singer-songwriter to show off his vocal grit. On the Brothers-Osborne-meets-Eric-Church barn burner, he’s an outlaw trying to outrun his past. “Right now I need some saving // This much I know… Trying to outrun the devil I’ve been.”

Beckham is introspective and apologetic on the stirring, “Mama,” which is a letter of apology for all of the mistakes he’s made. Written while he was competing on Idol, the penitent tune is sparse and heartfelt, as he recognizes both his mistakes and her sacrifice. “A woman shouldn’t have to carry anyone, let alone her own son…” He croons. “I’m sorry Mama, a woman shouldn’t have to do the things you’ve done.”

The 19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG artist shows his more country-leaning side on tunes like “Everything I Need,” “Drink You Off My Mind,” “Addicted and Clean,” and “Smokin’ Weed and Drinkin’ Whiskey.” The latter is a full out honky tonk tune which finds Beckham celebrating the finer things from both his homes, California and Tennessee.

Meanwhile, “Drink You Off My Mind” pairs musical sunshine with more downtrodden lyrics in a clever juxtaposition, while “Addicted” is a mid-tempo that finds Beckham a walking contradiction, his voice softer and full of emotion as it subtly shimmies over slide guitar. “Everything” finds him celebrating the simpler things in life, celebrating that the wins are more common than the losses.

“I’m alive and I’m breathing, out here breaking more than even // I ain’t leaving, there’s no place I’d rather be // Ain’t no worry on my mind // Might even roll me one tonight, Let the smoke rise in the moonlight by the creek // And when the sun comes up, I’ll let it dawn on me, I’ve got everything I need.”

“Glitter,” “Something Worth Holding On To,” and “Whiskey Country ” each allow Beckham to show a hint of his more bluesy side, with the latter a romantic invitation for someone to join him down in Nashville. Meanwhile, “Glitter” truly shines, the lyrics painting a poetic picture of appearances being deceiving. “You can’t water silk flowers, expect them to grow or pretend it’s a diamond, when it’s a rhinestone // Yeah, we made it look perfect, like a magazine cover // Shine bright for the pictures, but not for each other // Love wasn’t real, kiss was for show, Baby it was only glitter, it was never gold.”

Pairing an incredible collection of songs with his warm soulful rasp, Bad For Me truly allows Chayce Beckham to shine in a way that’s way more than glitter… It’s gold.

Bad For Me Tracklist:

Devil I’ve Been (Chayce Beckham, John Pierce, Lindsay Rimes)
Addicted And Clean (Chayce Beckham, Emily Landis, Justin Morgan)
Waylon In ‘75 (Jon Randall, Brett James, Parker McCollum, Lee Thomas Miller)
Bad For Me (Joe Fox, Randy Montana, Tyler Chambers)
Drink You Off My Mind (Chayce Beckham)
Everything I Need (Chayce Beckham, John Pierce, Lindsay Rimes)
Whiskey Country (Chayce Beckham, John Pierce, Lindsay Rimes)
Glitter (Joey Hendricks, Mark Trussell, Natalie Hemby)
Smokin’ Weed and Drinkin’ Whiskey (Chayce Beckham, Andy Albert, Mark Trussell)
Something Worth Holding On To (John Pierce, Brandon Kinney, Micah Wilshire)
Mama (Chayce Beckham)
If I Had A Week (Chayce Beckham, Scooter Carusoe)
23 (Chayce Beckham)

Country Swag Picks:

Glitter
Smokin’ Weed and Drinkin’ Whiskey
Waylon in ‘75
Addicted and Clean
Everything I Need

Chayce Beckham’s debut album, ‘Bad For Me’ is officially out now on all streaming platforms.

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

For tour dates and more, visit his official website.

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

Bad For Me is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

George Birge: ‘Cowboy Songs’ – EP Review

April 5, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

George Birge releases his brand new EP, Cowboy Songs, out now, April 5th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

RECORDS Nashville recording artist, George Birge is one to look-out for in the country music landscape. He has found a way to bridge the gap between Texas-country music and more modern-country, while making sure to keep with his signature sound. Today, fans get a taste of his talent with his brand new EP, Cowboy Songs, out now.

The new record features seven songs, including, “It Ain’t Austin” and the title track, “Cowboy Songs.” On “It Ain’t Austin,” Birge reveals a deeper side, as the song expressing a longing for a relationship that has run its course. On the other hand, on the smokey-feeling, “Cowboy Songs,” the singer-songwriter showcases a more edgy version of his talent. The track is mesmerizing upon first listen, much like, track 6, “Hard on the Bottle.”

“‘Cause she only dances to cowboy songs // Loves to get lost in a moment // She comes alive when the neon’s on // Don’t wanna leave ’til it’s closing // So I’ve got a twenty on the jukebox to keep it playing // Anything that sounds like Waylon // And right here’s where I’ll be staying all night long // ‘Cause she only dances to cowboy songs // She only dances to cowboy songs”

Themes of love and loss continue to duel and blend in a perfect way throughout the record. On “Made You, Made Me,” Birge shares candidly about how different two people can be, putting the girl on a pedestal, and pondering how God could make both of them. The song feels different in a way that will have listeners wanting to listen to the song again and again. Similarly, on “Damn Right I Do,” Birge dives into the introspective nature again, yet this time, in a more relatable, nostalgic way. The singer-songwriter continues to delve into his feelings and nostalgia on “OK Breakin’ Up.” While the song depicts heartbreak, Birge appears to find solace, as the lyrics unfold in a beautiful story-telling way.

Finally, Birge ends the record with a mid-tempo song called, “Miss Missin’ You.” Throughout the song, the singer shares an all-to relatable experience of a relationship that is no longer. Despite missing things about the relationship, the idea of missing someone is no longer something he misses. The song is both a perfect addition to the record and a perfect way to end the EP.

Cowboy Songs truly has a song for every country music lover. All seven of the songs display different threads that make up George Birge’s unique knack of story-telling and sharing his art. The EP is a perfect addition to his growing catalog of music.

Cowboy Songs EP Tracklist:

Cowboy Songs
Made You, Made Me
Damn Right I Do
It Ain’t Austin
OK Breakin’ Up
Hard on the Bottle
Miss Missin’ You

Country Swag Picks:

“Cowboy Songs”
“Made You, Made Me”
“OK Breakin’ Up.”

George Birge shares his brand new EP, ‘Cowboy Songs,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

To keep up with George Birge, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Cowboy Songs is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Josh Ross: ‘Complicated’ – EP Review

March 29, 2024/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Josh Ross releases his new EP, Complicated EP, out now, March 29th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

For Canada native, Josh Ross, today marks the release of his U.S. debut EP, Complicated. Featuring eight new tracks, seven of which he co-wrote, the UMG Nashville/Universal Music Canada artists takes listeners on a journey through his head and his heart, both lyrically and musically.

“For me, things can kind of go all different directions,” Ross says. “Whether it’s healthy or not, I’m a complicated person, and the music is all different, too. It’s not straight traditional, or even rock or pop – it’s complicated, and I’m not afraid to let it stand out. … But that’s just me.”

Throughout the EP, Ross experiments with different sounds, occasionally veering into rock or pop but always staying country. The collection opens with the building, earwormy and effusive “Single Again,” which finds Ross dropping hints that he’s the one that a girl wants to settle down with once she dumps her current beau. It’s an immediate piece of ear candy that invites listeners to have another and keep listening.

“When you’re single again // and you’re Thinking of me // Ya know I got that same ole Tennessee // 615 that you used to hit up // Half past where you at pick me up // When you’re all over him // I hope you’re all over me // I got a king size bed // Just missing a Queen // Make me your first call // after your last call with him // And you won’t ever be single again”

The EP’s title track finds Ross thinking outside the box melodically with a sound he describes as “The Weeknd meets country pop.” On the synth-laced, 80’s inspired track that finds Ross experimenting with something outside of his typical twang, he cleverly juxtaposes darker lyrics over upbeat music, creating the ultimate contradiction as he wonders how a relationship went awry. “Why’d we have to go and complicate it?” He asks. “Weren’t we supposed to be the ones who made it?”

Heartbreak is definitely at the forefront of Complicated, weaving its way through songs like “Tell Me A Lie,” “Burn Back,” and “Truck Girl.” Each allows the singer to sample different sounds and themes, with “Lie” setting a moody and dark tone as he pleads with someone to lie to him about the fate of an ill-fated relationship. LIkewise, “Truck Girl” finds him dealing with an ex who’s moving on, while the R&B-tinted “Burn Back” finds him wondering how to get the heat back in a relationship that’s lost its spark.

“She Don’t Smoke” deals with a toxic woman who’s full of lies that he can’t quite quit, while “Trouble,” already a hit in Canada, finds him in a dark place, missing someone. “Trouble” truly allows him to flex his vocals, growly rasp on full display as he throws back a few drinks. Here, his voice sounds almost whiskey-drenched as he proclaims “Baby I’m in trouble” over darker instrumentation.

“For me, I would not have picked any other song to be the first identifying song for me,” Ross says of “Trouble.” “It’s the most honest song I had released up until now, and watching what it does for other people? Some of the stories I hear are heartbreaking, but it’s really nice to feel like your music helps heal.”

The EP ends with “Matching Tattoos,” a nostalgic piano ballad that looks wistfully at what’s left of young love. “I wonder where you are now // Sometimes I still think of how // We said something ‘bout forever,” He croons. “But what’s that mean at 22? // ‘Cause all that lasted are some matching tattoos”

“I always like to say the songs are where I’m at in my life, and I think this project is like that,” Ross says. “I want to keep people on their toes.” On Complicated, he does just that.

Complicated EP Tracklist:

Single Again (Josh Ross, Joe Fox, Brad Rempel)
Tell Me A Lie (Cameron Bedell, Lauren McLamb, Johnny Clawson)
Truck Girl (Josh Ross, Johnny Gates, Mason Thornley, Jared Griffin)
Complicated (Josh Ross, Heath Warren, Mason Thornley, Matt Geroux)
She Don’t Smoke (Josh Ross, Joe Fox, Brad Rempel, Mason Thornley)
Trouble (Josh Ross, Mason Thornley)
Burn Back (Josh Ross, Mason Thornley, Sam Martinez, Benjamin Stoll)
Matching Tattoos (Josh Ross, Joe Fox, Brad Rempel, Mason Thornley)

Country Swag Picks:

Single Again
Complicated
Matching Tattoos

Josh Ross shares new EP, ‘Complicated,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

Complicated EP is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.