Justin-moore-dirt

Justin Moore: ‘This Is My Dirt’ – Album Review

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Justin Moore shares brand new album This Is My Dirt, officially out now, October 11th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Since the earliest days of his career, Justin Moore has been one of country music’s most modern traditional stars. With his deep voice and unwavering dedication to country music as a genre, the Valory Music Co. artist is one of the genre’s most dependable yet under-the-radar superstars.

Produced by longtime collaborators Jeremy Stover, Scott Borchetta, and Paul DiGiovanni, This Is My Dirt features a dozen new tracks, including collaborations with Randy Houser, Blake Shelton, and Dierks Bentley. Additionally, the twelve new songs were all co-written by Moore, pairing him with the likes of Randy Montana, Will Bundy, Casey Beathard, Chase McGill, and more.

For the first time in his recording career, the Arkansas native enlisted his full touring band to play on the record instead of studio musicians, adding a depth and camaraderie to the recordings. From the traditional-leaning anthemic opening notes of the album’s title track to the closing melodies of “You Know It’s Coming,” This Is My DIrt allows Moore to do what he does best.

Collaborations are at the forefront of the LP, with Moore and Houser musing about simpler times on “The Worst.” For the pair, it’s a reflection on growing up with less and learning from it, realizing that it’s key to value whatever you have. Likewise, “Time’s Ticking” with Dierks Bentley is a notable take on embracing the moment you’re in as opposed to rushing through life. “Put a little slow in your roll,” They warn. “Or you’re gonna miss it.”

Moore’s duet with Blake Shelton is a more by-the-book appreciation of country music’s favorite beverage, “Beer Ain’t One.” On the rousing track, they trade playful verses about all of the problems in their lives, and the fact that beer is the only surefire cure. “I got 99 problems but a beer ain’t one,” They muse, voices and styles perfectly complementing each other.

Moore remains true to his roots on songs like “This Is My Dirt,” “Put a Boot In It,” and “Love, Your Hometown.” While “Boot” is a swinging uptempo about the authenticity of real country music, the album’s title track tells the tale of a piece of land that is way more than just dirt, but instead a piece of familial legacy.

“This is my dirt, these are my fields // Where I harvest what I plant // That little pond, I catch bluegill // I built that barn with my two hands // Where I raise my babies, a piece of me // Nah, this ain’t just a piece of land // The money’d be great, but I can’t part ways with a life that works // You can’t put a green bag dollar on what it’s worth // This is my dirt”

“Love, Your Hometown” is Moore and country music at its finest, a love letter from a hometown to those who have left it to serve in the military. While two of the genre’s biggest tropes are small towns and military songs, Moore offers a fresh take here. 

“And there ain’t one day that you don’t Cross my mind like a southern breeze // And I’ll be right here // Waiting on you to come back to me // And I hope you know you damn sure make us proud // Love, your hometown”

Moore experiments lyrically on songs like “Redneck Love” and “F Word,” both of which show a more playful side of his personality. On the tongue-in-cheek “Redneck,” he celebrates a love that may not be the most traditional, but is perfect as is. Meanwhile, “F Word” is a unique love song about a word that doesn’t often have a place in country music. Hint: It’s not THAT “F word,” but instead, “forever.”

“Never Left Me” is a more traditional hometown song, an anthemic ode to the place that raised him, while “Glad to Be Here” is a mid tempo celebration of counting one’s blessings. “The Getting By” may be the most unique song on the album for Moore, allowing him to stretch himself both musically and vocally. On the swinging midtempo laced with slide guitars, Moore’s voice is lush and airy as he deals with the aftermath of a heartbreak, lamenting, “Girl it’s killing me, but I’m getting used to the getting by.”

This Is My Dirt ends with “You Know It’s Coming,” a poignant and gorgeous ballad about the inevitabilities of life and the big moments that take your breath away, no matter how prepared you may be.

“Even though you know it’s coming, like a freight train humming from a mile away // You think you’ll be ready // Life’s lead foot leaning on the clutch and off the brakes // Til What’s down the line, ain’t down the line no more // That’s how time does it, Just crack a beer // ‘Cause someday’s here and dang if you can’t do nothing // Even though you know it’s coming”

For Justin Moore, This Is My Dirt continues to represent who he is as an artist, a songwriter, a father, and a man. While he may not be the genre’s biggest star, he’s a consistent hitmaker, and this LP is evidence why.

This Is My Dirt Track List:

  1. This Is My Dirt – (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  2. Put A Boot In It – (Justin Moore, Will Bundy, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  3. The Worst (ft. Randy Houser) – (Justin Moore, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
  4. Glad To Be Here – (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  5. Love Your Hometown – (Justin Moore, Will Bundy, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  6. Beer Ain’t One (ft. Blake Shelton) – (Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Will Bundy, Joe London, Jeremy Stover)
  7. The Getting By – (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  8. Redneck Love” – (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  9. Time’s Ticking (ft. Dierks Bentley) – (Justin Moore, Will Bundy, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  10. F Word – (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
  11. Never Left Me – (Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Will Bundy, Jeremy Stover)
  12. You Know It’s Coming – (Justin Moore, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. This Is My Dirt
  2. Love, Your Hometown
  3. Time’s Ticking (With Dierks Bentley)
  4. Beer Ain’t One (With Blake Shelton)
Justin-moore-dirt

Justin Moore’s newest album, ‘This Is My Dirt,’ 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 Justin Moore releases.

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

This Is My Dirt is 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.

Madeline-merlo-ep

Madeline Merlo: ‘One House Down’ – EP Review

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Madeline Merlo shares brand new EP, One House Down, officially out now, October 11th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new project below.

For Madeline Merlo, her new EP One House Down (from the girl next door) finds her moving on from a breakup and dealing with the aftermath of a broken heart. The six song collection allows the BBR Music Group/ BMG Nashville recording artist to continue her meteoric rise in the genre, pairing poignant lyricism with a pristine storyteller style and pop-country sensibilities.

The 30-year-old Canadian chanteuse co-wrote each of the EP’s six tracks, produced by Zach Crowell, and telling the tale of a breakup and all that comes along with it. With a raw authenticity and prowess for evocative lyrics, Merlo truly crafts portraits of heartbreak, heartache, and grief.

“I’m a very deep feeler. I always say I feel like my heart’s on fire all the time,” Merlo shares in a statement. “It’s a superpower, but it’s also hard because the world can feel really heavy sometimes. This project is my struggle through finding myself and finding myself in love, and I wrote these songs for my younger self – for those moments when she really needed them.”

This is immediately evident on the album’s stirring opener, “Broken Heart Thing,” which pairs her with Dustin Lynch. On the heartache-laden duet, they trade verses about the unfamiliar feelings that come along with the discomfort and shock of a newly severed relationship.

“‘Cause I’m still getting used to this broken heart thing // Sit in the dark thing // Smiling when I’m falling apart thing // Pictures in hallways, hearing our song play // Thinking ’bout you all night and all day // Missing you’s different drinking alone // If you see my name come across your phone // Sorry, baby, I’m still new to this // I’m still getting used to this broken heart thing”

Both “Bar Fight” and “Same Car” find her grappling with relationship devastation, the latter showing the epicly relatable battle between heart and head. “Lonely wants to call him and logic says don’t,” She sings, voice entrenched in emotion. “My heart and my mind are in a bar fight over you.” Meanwhile, “Same Car” is a poetic look at the wild juxtaposition of memories a place like a car can hold, from an amazing first kiss to a devastating breakup.

“On a two-lane road Tracing hearts on the windows // Out with the headlights low // Thought I saw forever in a dashboard glow but // That’s the trouble with promises made in the dark // Sometimes you run out of stars It’s the same front seat // Where I fell for you It’s same cross hangin’ from the same rearview // It’s the same four wheels // Where you broke my heart// It’s hard to believe it’s the same car // It’s the same car”

Both “Middle of the Bed” and “Good Grief” find Merlo desperate to come out on the other side, knowing her decision is right but feeling her subconscious longing for an ex. “Middle” is a catchy and anthemic pop country gem, while “Grief” allows her to traverse the long journey to acceptance.

The collection ends with its title track, a uniquely infectious take on being the one who isn’t quite perfect, but being okay with it. “When I wrote that song, it felt so representative of me and my whole life,” she says. “I always felt like I was one house down from people with perfect lives and perfect families. And I know that’s not true, but that otherness and not feeling good enough has impacted me in different ways. One of them was through love – I feel like I’ve always stumbled my way through it.”

For Madeline Merlo, the six tracks on One House Down reflect a path to healing and acceptance that anyone can relate to, just like the title track. “At the end of the day, if they feel like they are one house down from the girl next door and not enough, I hope this EP can feel really honest,” she shares. “I hope it makes people feel heard, seen and understood.”

One House Down Track List:

  1. Broken Heart Thing (feat. Dustin Lynch) (Madeline Merlo, James McNair, Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman,  Zach Crowell)
  2. Bar Fight (Madeline Merlo, Seth Mosley, Claire Douglas)
  3. Same Car (Madeline Merlo, Sara Haze, Jason Saenz, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne)
  4. Middle of the Bed (Madeline Merlo, Sam Ellis, Kyle Sturrock)
  5. Good Grief (Madeline Merlo, Jimmy Robbins, Anna Vaus, Micah Carpenter)
  6. One House Down (from the girl next door) (Madeline Merlo, Seth Mosley, Emily Weisband, James McNair)
Madeline-merlo-ep

Madeline Merlo shares brand new EP, ‘One House Down,’ 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 Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

One House Down is 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.

Nate Smith: ‘California Gold’ – Album Review

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Nate Smith shares brand new album California Gold, officially out now, October 4th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Sony Music Nashville’s Nate Smith has already notched an impressive three #1 singles and scored an ACM for New Male Artist of the Year. Now, the rising country superstar is back with his sophomore album, California Gold.

On the sixteen track collection, the California native explores new yet familiar sounds, which he describes as “nostalgic” but with “modern country context.” In fact, much of the album is inspired by and takes cues from some of the biggest pop-rock bands from the early 2000’s, including Lifehouse, 3 Doors Down, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

That influence is heavily felt throughout the LP, weaving its way through many of the anthemic tracks, where his voice sounds perfectly at home. Songs such as the album opener “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “Want Me Back,” “Perfect,” and “I Wish I Never Felt” find Smith firmly settled into that radio-friendly country-rock lane.

Of “Fix,” Smith says, “I’ve always been a huge fan of big epic pop-rock songs of the 2000s…to me, [it] feels like the perfect blend of 2000s rock and heartfelt country. I want to make love songs that cut deep but are still tough. I teamed up with the same crew that wrote ‘World On Fire’ with me: Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes and Taylor Philips. This is easily one of my favorites that I’ve released. It’s a bit of a theme song for this new project.”

Likewise, “Want Me Back” is a driving and catchy uptempo that’s absolutely perfect for radio as he grapples with the aftermath of a woman who’s changed everything about him. “As I miss who I was baby, I want me back,” He muses.

That same early 2000’s pop influence can be heard most noticeably on “Can You Die From a Broken Heart,” which finds him trading verses with pop-punk icon and frequent collaborator, Avril Lavigne. “‘Can You Die From A Broken Heart’ is the epitome of what a heartbreak ballad should feel and sound like,” Smith says.  “The bridge is my favorite part of the song because it’s so epic with the soaring ‘ohs’ and feels like it gives the slightest nod to ‘I’m With You’, which happens to be my favorite Avril song. I think this song will touch hearts in a deep and meaningful way.”

Smith grapples with heartbreak on tracks like “I Wish I Never Felt,” “Faith,” and “Gave It All.” While “I Wish” finds him regretting a relationship due to the heartbreak it led to, “Gave” is a thumping dance-inspired track about giving all to a relationship that just didn’t work out. “Faith” finds him stretching his voice into a powerful growl, cleverly turning lyrics into a double meaning as he sings, “I lost Hope on a Friday night, watched her walk away under neon lights, I found Grace almost made her mine, had to cut her off at closing time… Everything changed as soon as you told me your name, tonight I need a little Faith.”

The California native has a voice that truly shines on ballads, including the powerfully building “Carry You Home” which finds him jumping headfirst into a new relationship, in the hopes that a drunken one night stand will turn into much more if they decide to slow things down the morning after. “Not Of This Earth” is an ethereal and lush love song about a love that’s so great it transcends the natural world, while “Bittersweet” finds him channeling his inner Teddy Swims over mournful piano and strings. Here, he’s lost between love and hate, his raspy voice emoting “The last line of the song of you and me is always gonna be bittersweet.”

The album’s title track is one of the most unique on the album, a sonic detour into a lush and Laurel Canyon-inspired ode to growing up in California. Inspired by a text conversation with a friend, the phrase “California Gold” immediately evoked memories of life in the Golden State, musing, “You can’t put a price on the good times that never get old, California gold.”

While Nate Smith dabbles in new sounds throughout his sophomore album, his voice and style find him at home in whatever he does, and California Gold is truly Nashville gold.

California Gold Track List:

  1. Fix What You Didn’t Break
  2. Want Me Back
  3. What Alone Looks Like
  4. Can You Die From A Broken Heart (with Avril Lavigne)
  5. Perfect
  6. Carry You Home
  7. Goodbye Again
  8. Not Of This Earth
  9. Wish I Never Felt
  10. Faith
  11. Bittersweet
  12. Gave It All
  13. Hurtless
  14. Bulletproof
  15. California Gold
  16. I Like It (with Alesso)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Fix What You Didn’t Break
  2. Want Me Back
  3. Can You Die from a Broken Heart
  4. Carry You Home
  5. California Gold
nate-smith-california-gold

Nate Smith shares new album, ‘California Gold,’ 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 Nate Smith releases.

To keep up with the rising star, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

California Gold is 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.

mitchell-tenpenny-the-3rd

Mitchell Tenpenny: ‘The 3rd’ – Album

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Mitchell Tenpenny shares brand new album, The 3rd, out now, September 20th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

While he may be known to country music fans as Mitchell Tenpenny, the name James Mitchell Tenpenny III is one that the singer-songwriter takes seriously. On his new album, The 3rd, out now, Tenpenny finds himself shouldering the heavy burden and legacy of his name.

On the follow up to 2022’s This is the Heavy, the “Drunk Me” singer is branching out and looking inward, co-writing all but one of the album’s twenty tracks. The lone exception is a cover of the 1998 Goo Goo Dolls classic, “Iris,” a song that the Nashville native lists as one of his main inspirations for pursuing music.

On The 3rd, the uniquely gifted vocalist stretches himself musically and lyrically.  “I would definitely say the album really covers what I have learned in the last few years since getting married and hopefully growing up and hopefully maturing,” He shares. “I want to be personal. I want to be vulnerable. I want people to believe and know that this music is authentic to me, and I mean the words I say.”

“I want this record to be all over the place,” He continued. “I want somebody to be able to find their song in the record, something that helps them or just something stylistically different from everything else. It just encapsulates everything I’ve done and all the genres I’ve loved.”

While Tenpenny remains country at his core, his powerful and distinct voice allows for him to dabble in sounds and styles that may sound out of place for many other artists. He shines on the growl required for “Iris” and continues even further into rock on his unexpected collaboration with Underoath on “Demon or Ghost,” snarling over the rock band’s heavy guitars and rock-screamed choruses as they grapple with a haunting presence. “We began talking about running into people you used to date or be friends with,” he recalls of the co-writing session with the band. “It’s almost like seeing a ghost. Are you haunting me or do I want to see you or are you scaring me because you are bringing up too many bad memories?” 

Tenpenny experiments with pop beats and 80’s-inspired synths on a handful of the album’s most upbeat tracks, including “I Won’t,” “Long Way to Go,” and “Started Stoppin’,” which he describes as “one of my favorite songs I’ve ever done.”

“Someone said the phrase ‘started stoppin’ and it became our hook. It almost wrote itself,” He says. “I love how the song grooves with the bass and drums. It all came together lyrically and sonically. It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever done.”  

The album also finds Tenpenny grappling with his legacy, both as a man and an artist, evidenced on tracks like the title track and its poignant companion, “Set It In Stone.” While the latter has him pondering his memory after death and determined to make each day the best he can, the piano-driven title track finds him aiming to live up to the weight of his family name.

“Is the third time always a charm? // Yeah, sometimes I’m not sure // ‘Cause I got tattoos on my arms // And I barely go to church // I’m still trying to live up to the men I know they were // ‘Cause they could’ve named me anything // But I’m James Mitchell Tenpenny The 3rd”

Matters of the heart are another prevalent theme on the album, the singer-songwriter’s voice effortlessly illustrating break, ache, and everything in between. “Not Today” and “Good Thing Going’” are clear standouts, with the latter flying between an optimistic uptempo before sashaying its way into a ballad on the chorus as he deals with a good thing that got away. Meanwhile, the former is an almost Backstreet Boys-esque anthem that finds him ready to move on, just not quite yet.

“I’ll find a way to forget you // With a bottle, a bible, or a mistake I know I’m gonna move on // I know I’ll be okay // I’ll find a way to forget you // I’m gonna give my broken heart a break // Baby, give me some time // I’ll get you off of my mind // Just not today”

“Well Whiskey,” “Breaking Me Heart” and “Bigger Mistakes” find him with his tongue-in-cheek, using clever lyrics to tell a story. On “Mistakes,” he’s ready to assure an ex that he’s dealt with things much more devastating than a breakup. “I don’t make big things outta small things anymore,” He croons. “Just like the night you walked out that door.”

Lyrically, “Make It Rain” is the most unique and unexpected track on the album, finding Tenpenny experimenting with a true country story song. Here, he deals with the desperations of needing money and taking matters into his own hands. “Put the money in the bag, nobody gets hurt,” He warns. “If God won’t do it, then I’ma make it rain.”

Tenpenny enlists the ethereal-voiced Colbie Caillat to join him on “Guess We’ll Never Know,” an airy and lush ballad that celebrates eternal love and commitment. Their voices perfectly compliment each other, her unique songbird alto accompanying his powerful rasp as they harmonize about a special kind of love. Likewise, “Same Moon” is 2024’s answer to 1986’s “Somewhere Out There,” (yes, the Fievel song) about sharing long-distance love under the same sky.

Of the Goo Goo Dolls cover, Tenpenny admits it’s long been a staple of his set, allowing unfamiliar audiences to get to know him as he proclaims, “I just want you to know who I am.” And in fact, it’s the perfect inclusion on The 3rd, which truly gives insight into who Mitchell Tenpenny is as both an artist and a person.

The 3rd Tracklist:

  1. The 3rd (Mitchell Tenpenny, Andy Albert, Devin Dawson, Paul DiGiovanni)
  2. Good Thing Going (Mitchell Tenpenny, Matt Alderman, Josh Melton, Dallas Wilson)
  3. Bigger Mistakes (Mitchell Tenpenny, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear, Michael Whitworth)
  4. Woke Up in a Dream (Mitchell Tenpenny, Thomas Archer, Kyle Fishman, Michael Tyler)
  5. Iris (John Rzeznick)
  6. I Won’t (Mitchell Tenpenny, Kyle Fishman, Rafe Tenpenny)
  7. Guess We’ll Never Know (feat. Colbie Caillat) (Mitchell Tenpenny, Jaten Dimsdale, Christian Griswold, Jimmy Robbins, Dallas Wilson)
  8. Not Today (Mitchell Tenpenny, Chris DeStefano, Claire Douglas, Michael Whitworth)
  9. Smoke (Mitchell Tenpenny, Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Schmidt)
  10. Set It in Stone (Mitchell Tenpenny, Andy Albert, Chris DeStafano)
  11. Make It Rain (Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Zach Kale)
  12. Started Stoppin’ (Mitchell Tenpenny, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Jordan Schmidt)
  13. Well Whiskey (Mitchell Tenpenny, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Whitworth)
  14. Same Moon (Mitchell Tenpenny, Paul DiGiovanni, Derrick Southerland, Dallas Wilson)
  15. Breaking My Heart (Mitchell Tenpenny, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Jordan Schmidt)
  16. Long Way to Go (Mitchell Tenpenny, Thomas Archer, Kyle Fishman)
  17. Head Start on a Heartbreak (Mitchell Tenpenny, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
  18. Fall Back in It (Mitchell Tenpenny, Jared Mullins, Ben Stennis, Michael Whitworth)
  19. Demon or Ghost (feat. Underoath) (Mitchell Tenpenny, Spencer Chamberlain, Aaron Gillespie, Jordan Schmidt)
  20. Tennessee in Me (Mitchell Tenpenny, Matt Jenkins, Dallas Wilson)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. The 3rd
  2. Not Today
  3. Started Stoppin’
  4. Guess We’ll Never Know (ft. Colbie Caillat)
  5. Tennessee in Me
mitchell-tenpenny-the-3rd-album

Mitchell Tenpenny shares new album, ‘The 3rd’ 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 upcoming Mitchell Tenpenny announcements and releases.

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

To keep up with Mitchell Tenpenny, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or Twitter.

The 3rd 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.

dacha-deluxe

Dasha: ‘What Happens Now? Deluxe’ – Album Review

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Dasha extends her debut album with a new deluxe version called, What Happens Now? Deluxe, out now, September 13th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

When rising star, Dasha came on the scene, she was instantly embraced by country fans for her one-of-a-kind talent and charisma. While her viral song, “Austin” may have put her on the map, her debut album, What Happens Now?  showcases that she is much more than one viral song. Today, Dasha celebrates her return to her roots by releasing the deluxe version of her project, What Happens Now? Deluxe.

“I’ve never really felt at home in any other space until the country genre. Releasing the deluxe version of What Happens Now? Feels like the end of an era,” shared Dasha in a recent press release. “I’m really proud of this project and the chapter we created together, and it has set me up for even better and brighter things in the future. The world of country generously opened their arms so big for me and my debut. Artists like Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini and Keith Urban have really encouraged me to go bigger and bolder while doing what I love as a human and an artist. For that, I’ll be forever thankful.”

When she chatted with Country Swag last November, Dasha revealed, “I had this epiphany and was like ‘I have to go back to my roots and start making country music again’, so in the last nine months to a year, I’ve really dove into that […] I have never had such an amazing time making music before. Music has never come so effortlessly to me before as it has with this music. It’s the beginning of this new country era.”

The deluxe version of the project houses five new songs, including, “Didn’t I?” Each of the songs showcase her talent, as she leans into her incredible songwriting prowess. Songs like “Leaving Don’t Mean Goodbye” and “Ain’t No Friend of Mine” capture the essence of her artistry. Both songs read like diary entries, as Dasha unapologetically shares her truth in all of her music.

Each new song keeps with the heart of the debut project, while embedding even more honesty into an already authentic project. With each and every release, Dasha plants her feet firmly into the country music soil, where she belongs.

What Happens Now? Deluxe Tracklist:

  1. What Happens Now?
  2. 42
  3. Austin
  4. King of California
  5. Drown Me
  6. Talk Of The Town
  7. Share this City
  8. Even Cowboys Cry
  9. Share This City
  10. Bye Bye Bye*
  11. Way Too Drunk*
  12. Didn’t I?*
  13. Ain’t No Friend of Mine*
  14. Leaving Don’t Mean Goodbye*

*new songs

dasha-deluxe

Dasha shares new extended version of her debut album, ‘What Happens Now? Deluxe,’ 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 Dasha releases.

To keep up with Dasha, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. 

What Happens Now? Deluxe 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.

jackson-dean-album-dreams

Jackson Dean: ‘On The Back Of My Dreams’ – Album

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Jackson Dean’s sophomore album, On The Back Of My Dreams is out now, September 6th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

Young rising star, Jackson Dean blew fans and the country music industry away when he released his debut album, Greenbroke back in 2022. About two and half years later, the Big Machine Records recording artist is refining his sound with a brand new project. Dean’s new album, On The Back Of My Dreams is officially out today.

The singer named his record with purpose. According to Dean, “The title can be interpreted from a few different angles but the face value of that phrase is that in-between state, when you’re in the process of waking up, but reality hasn’t quite set in and each song on this project has a little bit of that magical surreal feeling…its drawn from a lyric in the song ‘Jane,’ this kind of otherworldly, misty or ethereal tune that immediately embedded into my brain.” shared the singer in a recent press release. “I’ve intentionally lived a lot of life and have watched a lot of life be lived and each of these songs were written from a single frame of life, almost as vignettes, drawn from daydreams, nightmares and everything in between.”

The thirteen song project showcases Dean’s gritty voice and bluesy tone, as well as, his songwriting prowess. Amongst the thirteen songs, the singer is a writer on every single one. Songs like “Big Blue Sky” and “Sweet Appalachia,” combine his captivating vocals with an incredible production that adds to ambiance of the record.

Alternatively, Dean’s talents shine in quieter moments too. Tracks six through nine showcase the power of story-telling, honesty, and authenticity in music. Standouts include “Train,” a haunting track and, of course, “Heavens To Betsy.” The latter, written when Dean was just nineteen yers old, is heart achingly story of a regret-filled man who its seeking redemption.

Another stand track, “Another Century” reads like a church hymn. With little guitar to back him, Dean’s voice takes center stage. As a listener, you cannot help but to hang on every word he sings. The track is an emotive and honest song that feels important and raw all at the same time. It also has a special incredible surprise in the last 45 seconds of the track.

Every single song off On The Back Of My Dream is exactly what music is all about. Dean takes fans on an emotional and honest journey, weaving us all through love, heartbreak, redemption, and reflection. His talent is a former kind of talent, and this record deserves its flowers!

On The Back Of My Dreams Tracklist:

  1. Big Blue Sky – Jackson Dean, Brandon Aksteter, Rich Kolm, Sean Mercer
  2. Duct Tape Heart – Jackson Dean, Casey Beathard, Luke Dick
  3. Talkin’ To Backroads – Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Ryan Tyndell
  4. Daddy Raised – Jackson Dean, Tucker Beathard, Bryan Simpson, Ryan Tyndell
  5. Long Goodbye – Jackson Dean, RL Burnside, Trent Dabbs, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde
  6. Real Real – Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Josh Osborne
  7. Heavens To Betsy – Jackson Dean, Benjy Davis, Driver Williams
  8. Train – Jackson Dean, Brandon Aksteter, Luke Dick, Rich Kolm, Sean Mercer
  9. Free – Jackson Dean, Blake Chaffin, Luke Dick
  10. Sweet Appalachia – Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Ryan Tyndell
  11. Jane – Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Ryan Tyndell
  12. Heaven – Jackson Dean, Luke Dick, Laura Veltz
  13. Another Century – Jackson Dean, Brian Koppelman, Jon Sherwood

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Another Century
  2. Train
  3. Heavens To Betsy
  4. Talkin’ To Backroads
Jackson-dean-album-dreams

Jackson Dean’s new album, ‘On The Back Of My Dreams,’ 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 upcoming Jackson Dean announcements and releases.

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

On The Back Of My Dreams 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.

corey-kent-album

Corey Kent: ‘Black Bandana’ – Album Review

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Corey Kent releases his newest album, Black Bandana out now, September 6th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new project here.

Having cut his teeth in the Texas music scene, Oklahoma native Corey Kent continues to push the genre forward with his unique mix of arena-ready country rock meets the humble beginnings of red dirt. On his new album, Black Bandana, out now, Kent builds on the momentum put forth by his 2023 debut album.

For the “Wild As Her” hitmaker, his signature black bandana represents what he stands for, as both an artist and a man, making the album title an easy choice.  “It started from riding motorcycles and wanting something over your face so you didn’t swallow a bug,” he shares in a statement. “But then it turned into a staple I wear on stage, and then a symbol of the path through my career, and life. Through all the ups and downs, the one constant thing was this relentless hope – this relentless pursuit of believing that if I don’t give up, I can get where I’m going.”

For the Sony Music Nashville recording artist, the bandana represents hope, offering fans an alternative to surrender. “When the going gets tough and  you feel like waving the white flag, I hope this record inspires you to raise a black bandana instead.”

Kent’s new album features ten new tracks, six of which he co-wrote, alongside the likes of Ryan Hurd, Jacob Davis, Casey Brown, and Michael Tyler. The collection features a wide sonic range, pairing radio-ready country rock with beautifully impassioned ballads.

The LP opens with the roaring “Ain’t Gonna Lie,” an ode to a broken heart and the fact that he can’t quite move on. Punctuated by a female vocalist, Kent’s growling rasp is on full display as it builds to an epic climax, and drowns his pain in various vices. “I ain’t gonna lie, I’m up every night, Talkin’ to God, prayin’ he’ll change your mind,” He proclaims over driving guitars. “I ain’t gonna lie, I wish the truth was, you weren’t over me and I ain’t missin’ you, but I ain’t gonna lie.”

Heartbreak and an inability to move past it is a recurrent theme on Black Bandana, weaving its way through songs like “Break Like That,” “This Heart,” “Nothing But Neon,” and “Damn Good Country Song.” While the quartet of tracks may share common lyrical themes, they are each sonically unique, with “This Heart” and “Break Like That” country rock anthems, while “Nothing But Neon” is a whiskey-soaked heartache ballad.

Meanwhile, “Damn Good Country Song” is a tongue-in-cheek take on an inevitable heartbreak, as he seeks a muse to inspire his saddest songs. With its mid-tempo melody, listeners can focus on the lyrics, which find him admitting that “girls like you make a damn good country song.”

“So go on and leave me in some corner booth // Only thing’ll be left is four chords and the truth // I’ll go home and write it all down // They’ll play it every night in every small town // ‘Cause girls like you don’t stay long // And girls like you make a damn good country song”

“Now or Never” finds Kent trading verses with Lauren Alaina on a duet that channels some of the great country power ballads of the 80’s and 90’s. They exchange melodies over a powerful and relatable message: make the relationship work or move on. “‘Now or Never’ is a song about drawing a line in the sand for yourself,” shares Kent. “It’s about loving somebody but refusing to let them continue to hurt you by taking a stand and asking your partner to make up their mind… ‘You either love me or you don’t.’”   

While Kent shines on uptempo tunes, his slower moments are just as poignant and powerful. This is evidenced on songs like “Black Bandana” and “Never Ready.” The title track is an anthemic cry for the everyman, inviting listeners to stand up, stand out, and stand strong in the face of adversity and despair.

“Hold on tight, don’t let go // Let your heart stay rock n roll // And don’t worry ‘bout when they misunderstand ya // Stand your ground, go for broke // Give ‘em hell, don’t give up hope // Change the game if you don’t like the cards life hands ya // And don’t be afraid to fight back // In a world of waving white flags// Be a black bandana”

Meanwhile, “Never Ready” is a gorgeous ballad about how you can never be prepared for the biggest moments in one’s life. Likewise, “Rust” celebrates the kind of love that can weather any storm, while the album’s closing track, “So Far” is a simple and sparse celebration of the accomplishments that he’s already achieved and what hasn’t happened yet.

“Yeah, ‘cause I’ve been through hell, it’s been a hell of a ride // Been spinning my wheels but now I’m hitting my stride // Got these feet off the ground but still ain’t reached those stars // Who’d have thought a dream could take a boy from Bixby so far”

While “So Far” celebrates Corey Kents achievements to date, it’s clear from his sophomore album, Black Bandana, that there’s much more to come.

Black Bandana Tracklist:

  1. Ain’t Gonna Lie
  2. Damn Good Country SOng
  3. Black Bandana
  4. Never Ready
  5. Break Like that
  6. Nothing But Neon
  7. Now or Never ft. Lauren Alaina
  8. Rust
  9. This Heart
  10. So Far

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Black Bandana
  2. Never Ready
  3. Now or Never
  4. This Heart
corey-kent-black-bandana

Corey Kent shares new album, ‘Black Bandana,’ 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 Corey Kent releases.

For tour dates and more, including an October 16 stop at NYC’s Gramercy Theater, visit Kent’s official website here. 

To keep up with Corey Kent, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Black Bandana 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.

Conner-smith-smoky-mountains-sessions-ep

Conner Smith: ‘Smoky Mountains Sessions’ – EP Review

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Conner Smith releases his new EP, Smoky Mountains Sessions, out now, August 2nd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

For rising star Conner Smith, his new EP, Smoky Mountain Sessions, finds him getting back to the basics. With a stripped down approach, the Nashville native focuses on lyrics and melody on the four tracks, all of which he wrote or co-wrote.

For the Valory Music Co. project, Smith enlisted musical heavyweight Dwight A. Baker to produce the project in just four days. Working with his touring band, the EP was recorded at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, North Carolina.

“Smoky Mountains Sessions came from a desire to get back to the core of songwriting. With these new songs, two of which I wrote by myself, I wanted to create them in a way that felt very raw and honest,” shares Smith. “Working with Dwight Baker for the first time on this project, we took my band up to Echo Mountains in Asheville and brought these songs to life over the course of four days. This collection is just the beginning of more new music on the way I can’t wait to share!”

The EP opens with “Boys in the Picture,” a snapshot of small-town living, surrounded by friends and all the troubles boys get in as they grow up. Likewise, the catchy “Songs for Tennessee” takes Smith back to his roots in a swinging and fun celebration of Smith’s home state. Chock full of slide guitars and fiddles, the track is an immediate standout, grabbing a listener’s attention. “This song’s for the homeland, The good ol’ folks that made me,” He sings. “The song in my heart is a song for Tennessee.”

“Thousand Miles Away” is a romantic ode to a long-distance relationship, and dreaming of the day they can be together in the same place. “I won’t have to spend most my days feeling like my heart is a thousand miles away,” He croons longingly, before the EP ends with a new take on Smith’s collaboration with Hailey Whitters, “Roulette on the Heart.” While the duet itself is powerful in any form, the stripped down versions adds a new depth of ache as the pair deal with the woes of an on-again, off-again dalliance. 

“Are you tryin’ to love me // Are you tryin’ to kill me // Every night with you is a shot in the dark // You touch me with a whisper, kiss me like a stranger // Holdin’ somebody shouldn’t be this hard // Oh and I know this game ends one of two ways // Are you gonna break me // Are you gonna save me // Lovin’ you baby is roulette on the heart”

On his new EP, Smoky Mountain Sessions, Conner Smith breaks things down and goes back to the basics with a simple song-focused collection that shows a different side to the rising star.

Smoky Mountains Sessions Tracklist:

  1. A Thousand Miles Away | Written by Conner Smith
  2. Song For Tennessee | Written by Conner Smith
  3. Boys In The Picture | Written by Conner Smith, Rodney Clawson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Matt Jenkins
  4. Roulette On The Heart (featuring Hailey Whitters) (Smoky Mountains Sessions) | Written by Conner Smith, Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill, Mark Trussell
Conner-smith-smoky-mountains-sessions-ep

Conner Smith shares new EP, ‘Smoky Mountains Sessions,’ 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 Conner Smith releases.

For tour dates and more, visit the singer-songwriter’s website here. 

To keep up with Conner Smith, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Smoky Mountains Sessions 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.

Ella Langley: ‘hungover’ – Debut Album Review

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Ella Langley releases her debut album, hungover, out now, August 2nd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

With a uniquely honeyed tone and an uncanny vulnerability, Ella Langley has been routinely labeled as one to watch in country music. With the release of her debut full-length album, hungover, out now, she proves why.

The collection features fourteen new tracks, all written or co-written by the Alabama native, alongside Nashville heavyweights like Will Bundy, Brett James, Rhett Akins, Laura Veltz, and more.

“This has been my dream for my whole entire life, so releasing my very first record is a really good feeling, and I’m so proud of it,” Langley says of the Sawgod Records/Columbia LP. “Before this record was even finished, I remember driving around in my car listening to ‘Hungover,’ and it hit me that it was the perfect title to encapsulate this era of my life and all the feelings I’ve poured into the songs. There’s a lot of different ways you can be hungover, but Lord knows every hangover hurts.”

That hurt is a prominent theme throughout the collection, weaving its way in different ways through Langley’s emotive grit and soulful sound. Her lyrics are smart and clever, telling incredibly vulnerable stories in a way that’s both poignant and triumphant.

The titular track is an immediate example of Langley’s prowess as both a songwriter and a vocalist, her stunning tone punctuating the mournful ballad that burns with the ache of a toxic relationship. Over bluesy electric guitars, her soulful vocals cascade through the ode to last call mistakes and the subsequent hangover that comes the next morning.

“Yeah I’m hungover // Still a long way from sober // Dammit I’m hurtin’ // This morning I’m learning // How much that Bourbon in your kiss don’t lead to closure // And yeah I’m hungover // This on again, off again is takin’ its toll // I try but I can’t seem to tell myself no”

“Love You Tonight” tackles a similar theme, as she deals with the aftermath of “doing what I swore I wouldn’t do.” It’s a modern day retelling of Lee Ann Womack’s “I May Hate Myself in the Morning,” as she proclaims, “Gonna love you tonight, gonna hate me tomorrow.”

Heartache songs are foremost on the album, but no two are alike. “I Blame the Bar” is one of the most unique lyrical breakup tracks in recent memory, blaming the place of the meet cute for her heartbreak, as opposed to the guy who did the breaking. Meanwhile, “Better Be Tough” is an almost raucous pop-rock-tinted kiss off to a cheating boyfriend that shows Langley isn’t taking a guy’s BS.

On “Paint the Town Blue,” she’s drinking to forget her pain, accepting that she needs to drown her sorrows to truly move on, while “Cowboy Friends” finds her moving up and moving on to get over a terrible ex. The song finds her channeling hints of Miranda Lambert meets Kacey Musgraves, with its unapologetic lyrics as she looks past one bad boy to the next. “So saddle up and ride away, It ain’t like it was love anyways,” She sings teasingly. “I won’t have no trouble rounding up the next when this ends, I’ve got me more than a few cowboy friends.”

Langley is sunny and optimistic on tunes like “Nicotine,” which finds her looking for a new love to be her new addiction, while “You Look Like You Love Me” is a clear stylistic standout on the album. Featuring fellow Alabama native Riley Green, the viral release finds the pair mixing spoken verses with a singsong chorus on the uniquely timeless country track.

“Girl Who Drank Wine” and “Closest to Heaven” are classic country story songs, with the former a smoky-bar Western that tells the tale of a one night stand where the girl walks away with a cowboy’s heart. Meanwhile, “Heaven” provides an especially ethereal moment, recalling the kind of eternal love between her grandparents that is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth.

Three of the album’s most special tracks come late in the album, with “Monsters” finding her both utterly  vulnerable and relatable. On the introspective track, she battles the “real monsters” living inside her head, dealing with self-doubt, painful memories, and being her own worst critic.

“Inside my head I over-analyze // Let my worst critic criticize // Every last mistake I ever made // Every woulda, coulda, shoulda, on replay // I’ve got some real monsters // Livin’ inside my head // Memories I’d like to leave // Shoved up under my bed // Caught up in a bad dream // Don’t even have to sleep // To see every regret, take it from me // I’ve got some real monsters // Livin’ inside my head”

The album’s final two tracks are both sparse and acoustic, with “Cowgirl Don’t Cry” shining as an ode to a girl who has been numbed by heartbreak. Finally, “Broken In” closes the album in a stunning manner, her voice on full display as she sings that oftentimes, things are better when they’ve been used. Ranging from horses to trucks to hearts and hands, things are just better when they’ve got some miles and some scars.

For Ella Langley, that is true of the music on hungover, each song showing pain and scars that ultimately led to something beautiful.

hungover Tracklist:

  1. Hungover (Ella Langley/Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins)
  2. I Blame the Bar (Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Chris LaCorte/Meg McCree)
  3. You Look Like You Love Me Ft. Riley Green (Ella Langley/Aaron Ratiere/Riley Green)
  4. Nicotine (Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Zachary Kale/Jon Nite)
  5. Love You Tonight (Ella Langley/Will Bundy/Lydia Vaughan)
  6. Better Be Tough (Ella Langley/Will Bundy/Brett James/Erik Dylan)
  7. Paint the Town Blue (Ella Langley/Will Bundy/Rhett Akins/Travis Wood)
  8. Cowboy Friends (Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Lydia Vaughan/Austin Goodloe)
  9. Girl Who Drank Wine (Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Johnny Clawson)
  10. Monsters (Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Tristyn Hunter Wolkonowski)
  11. People Change (Ella Langley/Joybeth Taylor/Laura Veltz/Austin Goodloe)
  12. Closest to Heaven (Ella Langley/Smith Ahnquist/Johnny Clawson)
  13. Cowgirl Don’t Cry (Acoustic) (Ella Langley/Jordan Fletcher)
  14. Broken in (Acoustic) (Ella Langley/Ian Christian/Jordan Fletcher)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Hungover
  2. You Look Like You Love Me with Riley Green
  3. Cowgirl Don’t Cry
  4. Monsters
Ella-langley-hungover

Ella Langley’s debut album, ‘hungover,’ 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 Ella Langley releases.

To keep up with Ella Langley, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

hungover 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.

Megan-moroney-am-i-okay-album

Megan Moroney: ‘Am I Okay?’ Album Review

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Megan Moroney’s brand new album, Am I Okay? is officially out now, July 12th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Following in the footsteps of her stellar debut, 2023’s Lucky, Megan Moroney is back with her sophomore effort on Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records, Am I Okay?. Out now, the new collection is a clear next step for the rising superstar.

Produced by Kristian Bush (of Sugarland), each of the album’s fourteen tracks were written or co-written by Moroney, alongside the likes of Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jessi Alexander, Ashley Gorley, Liz Rose, Shane McAnally, and more. The result is an exhilarating release, proving that the Georgia native’s meteoric rise is only bound to continue.

Am I Okay? opens with its title track, a triumphant midtempo that finds her stronger on the other side of a breakup. Accompanied by a triumphant chorus of gang vocals, she’s moving on and moving up with someone better than her no-good ex. “I don’t feel like a sad song soundtrack, The old me doesn’t know how to feel about that,” She muses, chock with self-realization. “Am I okay? I think I’m okay.”

Much of the album deals with the universal themes of breaking up, making up, and moving on, without ever sounding sameish or repetitive. There’s the stirring “28th of June,” a piano-ballad about the bittersweet recollections of an anniversary after a relationship ends. “Today would’ve been a day that we’d celebrate,” She sings. “And now it’s just another Tuesday.”

“Third Time’s the Charm” finds her buoyant and optimistic as she falls in love again, hoping that the third love in her life will also be the final one. Meanwhile, the previously released “No Caller ID,” finds her eager to move on despite late night calls from an ex. Similarly, “I Know You” finds her admitting to herself that the man in her life isn’t a good one. It’s a sparse and stirring guitar ballad, her broken heart on full display.

“I know you, And you’re out sipping whiskey with some girl you barely know // While you’re texting me you miss me, say you’re sitting home alone // I’m two-thousand miles away and you can’t help that you can’t change, you’ll wake up with her in the bed I made”

Moroney can do ballads like a pro, but she can also sell an uptempo with fervor, evidenced on tracks like “Man on the Moon” and “Indifferent.” The latter is a gritty and guitar-driven anthem about moving on and no longer caring about a “guy who was more wrong than right,” finding herself happy to have found indifference. Likewise, “Man on the Moon” is a roaring rocket to the stratosphere, a surefire hit of pop-tinted country perfection. On the kiss-off tune, she’s moving on, ejecting someone from her life into another atmosphere.

“‘Yeah but he’s the kind of man I’d like a hundred thousand miles from here // ‘Cause he wants me and he needs space // Someone take this cowboy away // Somewhere far, let him fly // Out of this world and off my mind // C’mon there’s gotta be a rocket somewhere taking off soon // I think it’s time we put another man on the moon”

“Heaven by Noon” shows her contemplating life and loss, a poignant and touching wish that she had said and done more before someone passed on. “When I talked to you this morning, I said I’ll see you soon,” She sings, voice laced with emotion. “Would have said so much more, If I only knew, That you’d be in heaven by noon.” Meanwhile, “The Girls” is a true celebration of the female support system, its lyrics primed for Instagram videos and TikTok montages of special moments with the friends who can get you through anything. 

Lyrically, Moroney and her co-writers truly stretched themselves on this album, notably on songs like the cheeky “Miss Universe” and “Mama, I Lied.” On the former, she’s happy that if she had to be dumped, it was for a beauty queen, while the latter finds her admitting some hidden truths to her mom. On the rootsy and old-school country ballad, she confesses many of her lies, with the most prominent being that her ex was a good guy.

“Noah” feels very early Taylor Swift, as the Georgia native teasingly sings about a high school sweetheart, while “Hope You’re Happy” is a bittersweet ballad that finds her wishing an ex well, while remaining blissfully ignorant of his life. She’s joined by the unmistakable Vince Gill here, who lends his smooth harmonies to the gorgeous track.

The album ends on a stunning note, Moroney strong yet vulnerable on “Hell of a Show.” Much like Taylor Swift’s, “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” the sparse ballad speaks to putting on a smile while aching inside. It’s a short and sweet ballad that speaks to the power of a performer, her vulnerable vocals floating over a sparse acoustic guitar as she pulls back the curtain between the public and private personas.

“Keep it together, I can keep it together, For the room full of people here who love me better // Than he could’ve, or would’ve, and should’ve I know, I guess you could say I put on a hell of a show // ‘Cause I’ll smile and I’ll sing and I’ll wave and repeat // And tonight I’ll cry myself to sleep”

Since bursting onto the music scene with “Tennessee Orange,” Megan Moroney has been making quite the name for herself. Am I Okay? proves that she’s much more than just okay, she’s arguably country’s next big superstar.

Am I Okay? Track List:

  1. Am I Okay? 
  2. Third Times a Charm 
  3. No Caller ID 
  4. Man on the Moon 
  5. 28th of June 
  6. Indifferent 
  7. Noah 
  8. Miss Universe 
  9. Mama, I Lied 
  10. I Know You 
  11. The Girls
  12. Heaven By Noon
  13. Hope You’re Happy
  14. Hell of a Show

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Am I Okay?
  2. Man on the Moon
  3. Miss Universe
  4. The Girls
Megan-moroney-am-i-okay-album

Megan Moroney shares new album, ‘Am I Okay,’ 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 Megan Moroney releases.

For tour dates and more, visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Am I Okay? 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.