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Hannah Ellis: ‘That Girl’ – Debut Album Review

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Hannah Ellis releases her debut album, That Girl, out now, January 12th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

With an introspective and relatable lyrical style similar to many of country music’s best female artists, Hannah Ellis’s debut album That Girl is the perfect foray for the songwriter to become an artist. Much like early Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini, or Maren Morris, Ellis takes traditional themes and country instrumentation to craft a perfect soundtrack for a night out, a breakup, a makeup, or anything in between.

Throughout her debut project, the acclaimed singer-songwriter crafts lyrics in a way that’s truly magical, painting a poetic picture with her unique phrasing and style. The album’s opener, “Country Can,” does just that with its mid-tempo celebration of all the things that country music can accomplish. Over banjo and slide guitar, she applauds all things country.

“Nothing makes you wanna raise one up // Makes you love where you come from // Makes you build a life on a piece of land like // Country can, country can // Get a cold one in my hand // Make these old boots wanna dance with somebody // Make my two lane, four wheels roll down a winding back road // Nothing turns my radio to gold like country can”

Likewise, “Wine Country” paints her as a walking contradiction, classy but country and putting the “boujee in the backroads.” “I have so much fun with “Wine Country,” the Kentucky native revealed to American Songwriter. “I wanna continue introducing all of these different facets of Hannah Ellis, because there’s a lot, there’s an onion there and that side of me is one of my favorites. I love a fancy night out, but also I’m totally fine if it ends in a dive bar. But I think it’s just such a fun song.”

For the Curb records artist, heartbreak weaves its way through the album, proving especially poignant on tracks like “Someone Else’s Heartbreak,” “Karma on the Rocks,” and “Still.” On the latter, Ellis uses the ballad to remind herself that he’s “still the same mess in a different box,” the one that isn’t right despite still having a hold on her heart. 

“Someone Else’s Heartbreak” provides a special moment of introspection, finding the singer-songwriter unable to take her own advice, knowing how she’d respond to someone else’s heartbreak, but unable to listen to her own tips. “I can’t take my own advice…To tell the truth, it’s for the best it didn’t last,” she admits. “I promise it’s a good thing, wouldn’t be so hard for me to say, if this was someone else’s heartbreak.”

Likewise, the album’s title track and its closing song take listeners through an emotional journey alongside Ellis, as she admits on “That Girl” that she’s “the kind of girl who wears her emotions like a T-shirt.” Meanwhile, the album’s final track, “Too Much and Not Enough” finds Ellis dealing with the types of thoughts that tend to plague women at all ages and stages. “I’m so sure of myself and so insecure,” she admits. “I wish I could care less, a little bit more. It’s confusing as hell being constantly stuck between too much and not enough.”

Moments of levity come on tracks like “Home and a Hometown,” “One of These Days,” and “Us.” “Us” in particular is a catchy celebration of a relationship that is as certain as things “that just fit perfectly, like old t-shirt and Levi jeans.” Likewise “Plans” finds her and that special someone looking towards the future and what’s to come. “From the church to the dress to the little bare feet,” She sings dreamily. “No we ain’t there yet, but we’re gonna be.”

While Hannah Ellis may be best known for writing songs for others, that’s all about to change with this release. With a mix of poignant lyrics and catchy hooks, Hannah Ellis’ That Girl is sure to establish her as an incredible artist and a future superstar.

That Girl Tracklist:

  1. Country Can
  2. Us
  3. That Girl
  4. Wine Country
  5. Someone Else’s Heartbreak
  6. Karma on the Rocks
  7. Still
  8. Replaceable
  9. Somebody Else
  10. Plans
  11. Home and a Hometown
  12. One of These Days
  13. Too Much and Not Enough

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Someone Else’s Heartbreak
  2. Us
  3. Karma on the Rocks
  4. Home and a Hometown
Hannah-ellis-that-girl-debut-album

Hannnah Ellis’s debut album, ‘That Girl,’ 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 Hannah Ellis releases.

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

To keep up with Hannah Ellis, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

That Girl 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.

Tanner Usrey: ‘Crossing Lines’ – Album Review

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Tanner Usrey releases his brand new album, Crossing Lines, out now, November 17th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

With a soulful voice and confessional lyrical style, country newcomer Tanner Usrey is sure to make a splash with his debut album, Crossing Lines. Out now, the singer-songwriter’s Atlantic Records debut combines country, southern rock, Americana, and hints of soul with an uncanny vulnerability to reveal an artist on the ride.

For the Texas native, songwriting is his key to success. “I let the songs be what they’re going to be, and I pride myself on that,” he reveals in a statement. “Musically, it ranges from southern rock to country to Americana. When it comes to songwriting, I want to focus on what’s real – I don’t shy away from saying the hard things.”   

The album truly takes listeners on a journey, dealing with Usrey’s demons, self-acceptance, Texas upbringing, and love stories. “I hope you hear what you want to hear, enjoy it, resonate with it, and know it’s real,” he shares. “It’s been a wild ride. I’ve busted my ass. I started off doing all of this on my own, so it’s crazy to see how this and the team around me have grown. People are going after real music right now, and that’s great. I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next.”

The album opens with the swampy and stompy “Echo in the Holler,” full of banjos, bugs, howls and harmonicas. It’s reminiscent of Marc Broussard’s “Home,” and immediately sets the stage for the LP. It’s a one two-punch between “Echo” and the album’s second track, “Guns Drugs and Allergy Pills,” which finds him longing to “make it back to Texas before I go insane.” It’s a rousing uptempo with driving guitars and twinkling pianos that make it a full on rockabilly country jam that is sure to electrify live audiences.

Crossing Lines also includes two versions of Usrey’s breakout track, “Beautiful Lies,” with a new version reimagined as a duet with Ella Langley. On the stunning ballad, the pair trade verses about a relationship that has reached its end, but they’re still holding on. “So talk to me, tell me what I need to hear // Wrap me up with your beautiful lies // And I know you’re leavin’, yeah, you’re standing at that door // And I can see the heartbreak in your eyes // So keep on telling me those beautiful lies.”

The sparse “Make You Weep” and the bittersweet “Last Goodbye” with Gracie York are both powerful and heart wrenching moments, with the latter finding the pair knowing they shouldn’t be together, determined to end things, no matter how much it hurts. On the barebones ballad, they trade verses about spending one last night together before saying goodbye, singing “Let’s make the best of our last goodbye.”

“Take Me Home Tonight” is a single-ready midtempo, finding him “way too damn drunk to drive,” as he muses over how his relationship started and where it is currently. “Got a baby on the way and a dog in the yard // We started out small but we sure came far //Yeah I just wanna be where you are.”

Usrey deals with his own demons on tracks like “Down Here at the Bottom,” “Pick Up Your Phone,” “Who I Am,” and “Crossing Lines.” Each of the tracks address his struggles with alcohol, as he muses, “Down here at the bottom ain’t as bad as it seems” and confesses “I woke up on the floor again, sweating poison from my veins, I don’t know what I’ve become, but I know that it’s something that I hate.” On the title track, he finds himself an imposter in his own life, the cheerful music a stark contrast to the lyrics. “I’m getting tired of making excuses // While my mother keeps on praying to Jesus // That I make a change from my wicked ways // But I keep on doing all the same damn things.”

One thing Usrey does incredibly well is tint his music with various genres. For example, the biting “Black Widow” offers another stomping hint of rock and soul, as Usrey proclaims “I ain’t in your web no more, baby I ain’t your fool.” Meanwhile, “Destiny” hints at a Gospel revival, featuring female background vocals for a show stopping moment. “Give It Some Time” has notes of anthemic 90’s alternative, sounding akin to some of the best acts from that period as it builds to an emotionally charged guitar solo that’s as scorching as his delivery.

With an incredibly powerful voice that can be best likened to powerhouses like Chris Stapleton, Nate Smith or Larry Fleet, Tanner Usrey was bound to be a star. Pair that voice with incredible songwriting, unique stylistic choices and unparalleled musicianship, and Crossing Lines is an absolutely stellar debut album. 

Crossing Lines Tracklist:

  1. Echo In The Holler
  2. Guns Drugs & Allergy Pills
  3. Take Me Home
  4. Pick Up Your Phone
  5. Crossing Lines
  6. Who I Am
  7. Give It Some Time
  8. Beautiful Lies (feat. Ella Langley)
  9. Last Goodbye
  10. Black Widow
  11. Make You Weep
  12. Destiny
  13. Evelyn’s Eyes (feat. Jessi England)
  14. Down Here At The Bottom
  15. Beautiful Lies

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Beautiful Lies
  2. Take Me Home
  3. Give It Some Time
  4. Who I Am
  5. Last Goodbye
tanner-usrey-new-album

Tanner Usrey’s debut album, ‘Crossing Lines,’ 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 Tanner Usrey releases.

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

To keep up with Tanner Usrey, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Crossing Lines 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.

Wyatt-flores-ep

Wyatt Flores: ‘Life Lessons’ – Review

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Wyatt Flores releases his brand new project, Life Lessons, out now, November 17th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music here.

With a voice and style way beyond his 22 years, country newcomer Wyatt Flores is garnering quite a buzz for his country-folk stylings. Much like Zach Bryan and Noah Kahan, Flores uses an emotive voice, poetic lyrics, and his guitar to fill his songs with the type of magical X-factor that’s not quite describable. 

Today, the Oklahoma native released his latest project, Life Lessons. On the seven song collection, the young singer-songwriter sounds like a seasoned vet, telling tales of life in Stillwater, OK. He manages to add an uncanny maturity to his youthful take on life, while still sharing the trappings of his life thus far.

”I’m so excited to put these stories of my life into y’all’s hands. I hope that this project helps others choose a different path and one that only you can choose,” He shares in a statement. “It’s never gonna be easy and life isn’t fair but never let this world tell you how to live.”

The lyrics on the EP sum up the fact that life isn’t easy or fair, but do so in a way that’s incredibly poetic and enrapturing. “Orange Bottles” offers an especially poignant moment, beginning with a voicemail from Flores’ mother checking in, as he lyrically documents life on the road as a touring artist. “I’m so numb I can’t tell if I’m alive,” He admits. “Yeah who am I kidding? Who have I become?”

Meanwhile, “3/13” finds him apologetic and remorseful, too drunk to keep his promises as he apologizes to someone who’s always his go-to, even as he crawls from a wrecked car. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me after all,” He growls, voice full of emotion. “I’m sorry you’re always my last call”

“Wildcat” is somewhat of a departure for the singer, a swinging and toe-tapping uptempo that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Here he plants his tongue firmly in cheek as he recounts life in a “Friday Night Lights” sort of town adding a twist as not being a player on the team, but the team’s mascot. “I never was a macho man, but I made the folks laugh in the stands,” He sings playfully over the swinging melody.

On the previously-released “West of Tulsa” and “Holes,” Flores continues his confessional style with “West” finding him waking up in a new town, another face in the crowd. “’Cause I’ve been a girl’s last call when the bar’s closin’ down // I’ve been a guy on stage to the face in the crowd,” He sings. “Somethin’ ’bout wakin’ up in a cheap hotel // Makes me wanna be somebody to somebody else.”

Likewise “Life Lessons” and the project’s closing track “Astronaut” are relatively sparse, finding him looking inwards at his life, where he’s been and where he’s going. “Grandpa dropped out of school in the fifth grade // Grandma barely made it past the eighth // So maybe it’s alright if I only made it two weeks at Oklahoma state,” He muses, voice simultaneously laced with sarcasm and sincerity. “The kind of learning that I’m looking for // Ain’t written out on a whiteboard//I’m taking life lessons.”

On Life Lessons, Wyatt Flores proves that he’s one of music’s most promising young stars. With a poetic writing style and a passionate emotive voice, it’s only a matter of time before he’s a household name. Life Lessons is just the first chapter of what is sure to be an incredible journey for the young artist.

Life Lessons EP Tracklist:

  1. Orange Bottles
  2. Life Lessons
  3. Wildcat
  4. 3/13
  5. West of Tulsa
  6. Holes
  7. Astronaut

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Astronaut
  2. Wildcat
  3. Life Lessons
Wyatt-flores-ep

Wyatt Flores shares brand new EP, ‘Life Lessons,’ 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 Wyatt Flores releases.

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

To keep up with Wyatt Flores, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Life Lessons 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.

Lauren-watkins-ep

Lauren Watkins: ‘Introducing: The Heartbreak’ – EP Review

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Lauren Watkins releases her new EP, Introducing: The Heartbreak, out now, November 17th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

For country singer-songwriter Lauren Watkins, her personal highs and lows have inspired her newest release, Introducing: The Heartbreak. On her Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters sophomore project, the follow up to April’s Introducing: Lauren Watkins, she offers a clever continuation of that debut project.

“Introducing: The Heartbreak is basically the next step in introducing myself and my music to the world,” shares Watkins in a statement. “First, I released Introducing: Lauren Watkins, which was just saying, ‘Here’s me, here’s where I came from, what I’m influenced by.’ This is the next step, going even deeper into who I am, what I’ve gone through, how I think about things. It’s truly introducing the heartbreak I’ve experienced, which will eventually roll out into something much bigger.” 

Featuring six new tracks, all of which she co-wrote with heavy hitters like Nicolle Galyon, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Monroe, Rodney Clawson, and more, the EP takes listeners on a journey through the end of a relationship. Produced by Joey Moi, the project takes listeners through the emotions of a heartbreak, ranging from jealousy, acceptance, denial, and blame.

The Nashville native kicks things off with “Fine County Line,” a catchy and twangy pop country tune about a will-they-won’t-they relationship. “It’s a real fine county line In between your lips and mine // This kiss I know you want it // But that fence we’re stuck here on it,” She sings. “Halfway off the map // Falling hard and walking that // Real fine county line // I think it’s ‘bout time We crossed it.”

Likewise, the uncertainty continues on “The Table,” offering a unique spin on an old phrase, as a couple ponder all of the options on the table before them. On the stirring ballad, she sings, “The way he looked at me // Halfway held my hand // Didn’t have to say a thing // For us to understand // What was on the table.”

Jealousy pairs with confusion on tracks like “Jealous of Jane” and “Fly on the Wall,” both which find the singer grappling with her emotions over not wanting someone in her life, but not completely accepting that he’s moved on. On “Fly,” she trades verses with Jake Worthington, whose pristine baritone perfectly complements her emotive twang. Meanwhile, on “Jealous of Jane,” she muses that she “don’t want him back, but I don’t want him to want her.” The track is a quintessential mid-tempo country song, full of  fiddle and steel for an especially special moment.

The Ole Miss grad joins forces with Carter Faith on “Cowboys on Music Row,” which is an immediate highlight of the project. Here, the pair muse over the sorry state of today’s cowboys and country singers, longing for the days of the “redheaded stranger” or a “real rodeo man.” It’s a modern take on Paula Cole’s “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?,” as they lament “Where oh, where oh, where did they go, There ain’t no cowboys on music row”

“We wrote ‘Cowboys On Music Row’ with our friends. Sitting around a tv, watching old videos of our old favorites. We looked at each other and thought “they really don’t make ‘em like they used to,” and this song is what followed,” Watkins shared on Instagram. “Although I’m proudly in the era of *new country* I’ll forever keep trying to make the old *Cowboys On Music Row* proud.” 

Lastly, “Stuck In My Ways” finds Watkins embracing who she is. It’s a 90’s tinted celebration of all of her best qualities, take ‘em or leave ‘em. “I keep a six pack in the Fridge // And a rocking chair out back // I keep a light on, on the porch // And a key under the mat // I don’t park in that spot where you parked your Chevrolet // I ain’t sitting ‘round hoping you’ll come back someday // I’m just stuck in my ways // Yeah I’m stuck in my ways.”

For Lauren Watkins, Introducing: The Heartbreak shows that the singer-songwriter has no plans of slowing down. In fact, she’s taken a heartbreak and translated it into art.

Introducing: The Heartbreak EP Tracklist:

  1. Fine County Line (Lauren Watkins, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
  2. Jealous of Jane (Lauren Watkins, Caroline Watkins, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
  3. Fly On The Wall (Lauren Watkins, Andy Sheridan, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)*
  4. Stuck In My Ways (Lauren Watkins, Will Bundy, David Garcia, Emily Landis)
  5. Cowboys on Music Row (Lauren Watkins, Jessie Jo Dillon, Carter Faith, Lauren Hungate, Ashley Monroe, Caroline Watkins)**
  6. The Table (Lauren Watkins, Nicolle Galyon, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Cowboys on Music Row
  2. Stuck in My Ways
  3. The Table
Lauren-watkins-ep

Lauren Watkins shares brand new EP, ‘Introducing: The Heartbreak,’ 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 Lauren Watkins releases.

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

To keep up with Lauren Watkins, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Introducing: The Heartbreak 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.

the-frontmen-ep

The Frontmen: ‘Familiar Faces’ – EP Review

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The Frontmen release their brand new EP, Familiar Faces, out now, November 17th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

Back in March, The Frontmen officially signed with BMG/BBR Music Group. The trio comprised of Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar), Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas), and Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), are absolute veterans in the country music industry. Combining their talents into an exciting act is exactly what we all needed. Today, The Frontmen release their brand new EP entitled Familiar Faces.

The brand new project boasts six songs including, The Frontmen editions of famed songs, “I”ll Still Be Loving You,” “God Blessed Texas,” and “Amazed.” On both “I’ll Still Be Loving You” and “Amazed” The Frontmen breathe new life into the already classic songs. On “God Blessed Texas,” they prime a song that is fun and made for the live show. High-energy and uptempo, the song is hard not to sing and dance along to, even after just one listen.

Familiar Faces’ tracklist also has three new songs. “I Need You” is a familiar mid-tempo song that pays homage to the early 00’s country landscape that we all still feel nostalgic about. On “It Was Always You,” The Frontmen bring their iconic voices to centerstage. The song feels reminiscent and like coming home upon listening. It also feels stage-ready, clearly something that The Frontmen seemingly know a thing or two about. Additionally, “Left Their Mark” tells a poignant story. It touches the edges of sacrifice, losing someone you love, and the incredible military men and women who put their lives on the line each and everyday for all of us.

The Frontmen truly have something special with their Familiar Faces EP. Each of the six songs speak to the legacy that these three men bring to the table, while bringing new music to the country genre. The record is both refreshing and nostalgic at the same time.

Familiar Faces EP Tracklist:

  1. I Need You
  2. I’ll Still Be Loving You
  3. It Was Always You
  4. God Blessed Texas
  5. Left Their Mark
  6. Amazed
frontmen-familiar-faces

The Frontmen release their brand new EP, ‘Familiar Faces,’ 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 The Frontmen releases.

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

Familiar Faces 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.

chris-stapleton-number-one-white-horse

Chris Stapleton: ‘Higher’ – Album Review

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Chris Stapleton shares his new album, Higher, out now, November 10th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

With one of country music’s most recognizable voices, Chris Stapleton is back and better than ever on his new album, Higher, out now. Produced by Stapleton alongside his wife, Morgane, and Dave Cobb, the new 14 track collection was recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A.

For the seven time and reigning CMA male vocalist of the year, Higher marks the follow up to 2020’s Starting Over. The new LP, released via Mercury Nashville, allows the bearded wonder to continue doing what he does best: release incredible country music that puts his voice at the forefront.

The album kicks off in high gear with “What Am I Gonna Do?,” a stirring mid-tempo ballad that perfectly pairs Stapleton’s rasp with Morgane’s crystalline background vocals. Here, he finds himself wondering what comes after heartbreak ends. “What am I gonna do when I get over you? // What am I gonna be when you’re just a memory?” He asks in his famous growl. “What am I gonna drink? // When I don’t have to think about what I’m gonna do without you.”

While he may be heartbroken on the album opener, he celebrates love and romance on tracks like the airy “Trust,” the poignant “It Takes a Woman,” the proclamation of eternal love on “The Day I Die,” and the baby-making jam, “Loving You On My Mind.” “Trust” is an immediate highlight with its twinkling acoustic guitar and light percussion as Stapleton croons “If you trust in forever // Trust this heart of mine // We could lose ourselves just like lovers do // If you trust in me, like I trust in you.”

Likewise, “It Takes a Woman” reads much like a love letter to his wife, proclaiming all of the ways in which she makes him better. Musically, it’s a sparse ballad that gives Stapleton’s voice room to breathe and shine. In a similar vein, the album’s title track shares much of the same message, as he describes the ways in which she elevates him, settling into his rarely used and incredibly impressive falsetto.

On “Think I’m In Love With You,” Stapleton proclaims his maybe-love over a 70’s tinted bass line, while “The Fire” finds him longing for a lover over bongos and light percussion. “Oh this fire is real,” He growls, voice laced with desperation. “You’re so close to me, but always out of reach.“

Stapleton turns things up on Southern rock tinted tracks like “South Dakota” and “Crosswind,” with the latter finding him running from something. “Trying to keep all the rubber on 65 // Might not make it out alive,” He growls. “White knuckling the wheel just to survive // Caught in the crosswind.“ Meanwhile, on “Dakota,” he finds himself where “trouble ain’t hard to find.”

“The Bottom” finds the Kentucky native experimenting musically, with its melody and instrumentation having a sunny and almost 80’s pop country vibe. Blended seamlessly with depressing lyrics and Stapleton’s downtrodden vocals, the pairing creates the most unusual juxtaposition. It shouldn’t work, but it does.

“Weight of Your World” finds the singer-songwriter willing to take on someone else’s burden when it becomes just too much to bear. While it could easily be a love song, it could be applied to anyone struggling in someone’s life. “Give me your darkest hour, Give me your deepest fear,” He sings.  “Just give me a call and I’ll be here, Give me the bars and chains that won’t set you free, Give me the weight of your world, And lay it on me  “

Higher ends with “Mountains on my Mind,” a stunning and threadbare track that was written solely by Stapleton who also played the song’s lone acoustic guitar. Here, he’s exceptionally vulnerable, battling his demons and seeking solace. “I think I’ll find a long white line, curse the world and leave it all behind,” He sings, his powerful voice softening alongside the instrumentation. “I’ve been trying all this time and still can’t climb the mountains of my mind.”

On Higher, much like his other albums, Chris Stapleton is unapologetically himself. He sings the way he sings, he looks the way he looks, he writes the way he writes, and it’s that authenticity that wins over legions of new fans year after year. While it may seem impossible, this LP continues to elevate the superstar, taking him even Higher.

Higher Tracklist:

  1. What Am I Gonna Do
  2. South Dakota
  3. Trust
  4. It Takes A Woman
  5. The Fire
  6. Think I’m In Love With You
  7. Loving You On My Mind
  8. White Horse
  9. Higher
  10. The Bottom
  11. The Day I Die
  12. Crosswind
  13. Weight Of Your World
  14. Mountains Of My Mind

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Trust
  2. What Am I Gonna Do?
  3. White Horse
  4. The Bottom
chris-stapleton-higher

Chris Stapleton shares new album, ‘Higher,’ 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 Chris Stapleton announcements and releases.

For tour dates and more, including a June 8, 2024 stop at NJ’s MetLife Stadium with George Strait and Little Big Town visit his official website here.

To keep up with Chris Stapleton, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Higher 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.

zac-brown-band-covers-album

Zac Brown Band: ‘From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers’ – Album Review

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Zac Brown Band shares a new album, From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers, out now, November 10th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Known for their blistering live performances, intricate harmonies, and incredible instrumentation, Zac Brown Band has always been a special group to see in concert. While the group has previously released two live albums, 2007’s Live from the Rock Bus Tour and 2010’s Pass the Jar, they are back with their biggest live endeavor to date, From The Road, Vol 1: Covers.

On the 13-track album, ZBB bends genres, effortlessly floating from country to rock to rap with a little bit of pop, standards, and yacht-rock thrown in. Recorded over 11 years at an array of iconic venues, including London’s Wembley Arena, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, and Boston’s Fenway Park, the album also pairs the band with collaborators like John Mayer, Marcus King, Darrell Scott, Mark O’Connor Band, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Released on frontman Brown’s own label, Home Grown Music, the live album kicks off with the Queen hit everyone knows and can sing along with, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s the perfect introduction to the album, allowing the band’s harmonies to soar over instrumentation that spans genres over the course of one song.

“Neon” with John Mayer is the collection’s oldest performance, recorded in Nashville in 2012. Here, the guitar virtuoso and ZBB mashup the Mayer classic with “Isn’t She Lovely” in a way that manages to be both endlessly impressive yet incredibly seamless.

Other immediate standouts are the band’s take on Kings of Leon’s megahit, “Use Somebody” and their recordings of the show-stopping Beatles hits “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Eleanor Rigby.” Likewise, their take on the Who’s “Baba O’Riley” is another epic moment that makes listeners feel like they’re on-stage alongside ZBB, this time at Fenway Park.

The tropical-infused “Margaritaville” cover subtly pays tribute to the late, great Jimmy Buffet, while Steven Tyler lends his distinct vocals to “Sweet Emotion.” Both the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post,” featuring Marcus King, and “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” find ZBB right in their wheelhouse, with the country classic perfect for a special live moment.

While ZBB may be most at home on anthemic rock tunes and country classic, they step outside of that box on covers of the Beastie Boys’ classic “Sabotage,” Metallica’s iconic “Enter Sandman,” and Frank Sinatra’s classic, “The Way You Look Tonight.” While these tracks may be outside of the norm for the band, they allow them to share their multifaceted musical skills.

On From The Road, Vol 1: Covers, Zac Brown Band reminds listeners why they’re one of the best live bands in country music, effortlessly fusing incredible harmonies and pristine musicianship across a wide range of artists and genres. We can’t wait for volume two.

 From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers Tracklist:

  1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Live at The SSE Arena, Wembley, London, UK, 09.25.2015)
  2. Baba O’Riley (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 08.20.2016)
  3. Enter Sandman (Live at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL, 09.14.2014)
  4. Sabotage (Live at Windy City Smokeout, Chicago, IL, 7.16.2023)
  5. Sweet Emotion feat. Steven Tyler (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 08.09.2015)
  6. Whipping Post feat. Marcus King (Live at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 10.17.2021)
  7. Margaritaville (Live at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC, 10.05.2023)
  8. It’s A Great Day To Be Alive feat. Darrell Scott (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
  9. Eleanor Rigby feat. Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor Band (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
  10. With a Little Help From My Friends feat. Darrell Scott & Mark O’Connor Band (Live at Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 06.16.2018)
  11. Neon feat. John Mayer (Live at the Southern Ground Music and Food Festival, Nashville, TN, 09.22.2012)
  12. Use Somebody (Live at Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA, 08.25.2019)
  13. The Way You Look Tonight (Live at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA, 06.04.2016)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. With A Little Help From My Friends
  2. Use Somebody
  3. It’s a Great Day to Be Alive
zac-brown-band-covers

Zac Brown Band shares new album, ‘From The Road, Vol. 1: Covers,’ 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 Zac Brown Band announcements and releases.

For tour dates and more, including an August 17 stop at NJ’s MetLife Stadium with Kenny Chesney, Megan Moroney, and Uncle Kracker, visit their official website here.

To keep up with Zac Brown Band, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

From The Road, Vol. 1: Covers 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.

brett-kissel-album

Here Is Brett Kissel’s Album ‘The Compass Project: West Album’

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Brett Kissel shares his new album, The Compass Project: West Album, out now, November 3rd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Canadian-country superstar, Brett Kissel kicked off a unique project earlier this year. The singer-songwriter expressed wanting to embark on the most ambitious project of his career so far. In January, the singer announced a four full-length album record called The Compass Project with each album showing off different ides of the singer’s talent. The newest release, The West Album is focused on the southern twang and classic country influences.

“The Compass Project is without question the most ambitious project I’ve ever undertaken,” Kissel explains. “It’s also the one I’m most excited about, being that the complete project includes four full-length albums. At this point in my life and career, I want to tap into all of the different quadrants that represent and guide me as a person, husband, father, artist, and entertainer. Those themes resonate in the distinct direction I take on each album!”

Learn more about the project and listen to the brand new music below.

The Compass Project: West Album Tracklist:

  1. Missin’ You in San Antone
  2. Oil and Cattle ft. George Canyon, Don Amaro, Brad Johner
  3. Legacy
  4. Deer Blind
  5. Wichita Lineman
  6. The Crib Song
  7. Strait Country
  8. Black Eyed Susans
  9. Behind Closed Doors
  10. Queen on the River
  11. Here’s Hoping There’ll (Always Be a Cowboy)
brett-kissel-album

Brett Kissel shares his new album, ‘The Compass Project, West Album” 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 Brett Kissel announcements and releases.

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

The Compass Project: West Album 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.

cody-johnson-leather

Cody Johnson: ‘Leather’ – Album Review

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Cody Johnson shares his new album, Leather, out now, November 3rd, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

On Leather, out now, Cody Johnson had one goal: to put out an album better than the last one. “This round of songs, I have to say, is the best round of songs I have ever recorded and I feel like that’s the way it should be,” Johnson revealed of the album, which he created alongside longtime producer Trent Willmon. “Each album should outdo the last one.”

With the release of Leather, the follow up to 2021’s Human The Double Album, Johnson has solidified his position as one of country’s most consistent and reliable superstars. Throughout the LP, which he promises will also become a double album in 2024, the former bull rider runs the gamut of emotions. There’s state pride on “That’s Texas,” despair over watching an ex move on with “Watching My Old Flame,” and the stunning prayer that is “Make Me a Mop.”

Interestingly, for the first time in his career, Johnson chose not to co-pen any of the album’s 12 tracks, instead enlisting Nashville’s best songwriters to offer up their best work to allow his vocals to shine through. The result is an album that still manages to sound pure Cody Johnson.

Leather opens with “Work Boots,” a catchy and clever twang-filled ode to a cowboy’s favorite footwear and their role in catching a special lady. “We got a little work to do // It looks like she wants to dance // I wouldn’t wanna miss our chance,” He sings. “She might be the one to change our world // But we ain’t gonna get the girl // Sittin’ on a stool // We gotta make our move // So come on, work, boots.”

The Texas native celebrates his home state on “That’s Texas,” offering a moment of levity in the form of a two steppin’, 90’s inspired fiddle and steel jaunt. Likewise, “Double Down” may be the most stylistically unique track, the crooner delivering the verses slowly and deliberately before launching into a raucous twang-infused chorus about drinking to move on. In a similar vein is “Long Live Country Music,” which pairs Johnson with Brooks & Dunn for the trio we didn’t know the world needed. Here, Johnson trades verses with the legendary duo on a track that was inspired by an off-the-cuff comment made during an awards show, when Johnson proclaimed “Long live country music.” 

Another unexpected collaboration pairs Johnson with Jelly Roll, on “Whiskey Bent,” a stirring ode to facing one’s demons. Of the track, the singer revealed to Billboard that he initially hated it simply because of the cliche title and  Jelly was originally supposed to be on a different song (“Jesus Loves You”), but was stopped in his tracks by the lyrics to “Whiskey Bent.” “He just started crying and was like, ‘Bro, I ain’t never heard a song like that. If I’m gonna be on a song, can it be that one?’ Johnson shares. “I think we’ve both lived that song in our own ways. People look at me as this clean-cut, wholesome guy, but I’m no different than anybody else.”

Johnson continues to show his more vulnerable side on tracks like “Watching My Old Flame,” the piano-driven “Dirt Cheap,” and “The Painter.” While “Watching My Old Flame” is a heartbreak ballad with unique lyrics that chronicles the pain of watching an ex move on, “The Painter” is a gorgeous love song. “I think it’s the first song I’ve ever recorded where I sing it in my talking voice,” He shares. “I intentionally tried to stay out of the way of the song, so the listener could paint their own image, and have their own interpretation of it. But for me, obviously, it’s about my wife [Brandi]. Without her, my world wouldn’t be what it is. We’ve been together for 15 years, so we’ve had some real highs, had some real lows. We’ve been through a lot together. She has stuck with me through thick and thin, and I think she deserves for me to be able to say this song is for her.”

Johnson shows his heavier side on tunes like “Jesus Loves You” and “People in the Back.” While the latter is an ode to the special people who you may find in the back row of a concert or the back row of a church, “Jesus” puts a unique spin on anger and betrayal. Speaking to Billboard, he revealed, “I think this song will raise some eyebrows, but you don’t get to sing about anger very often. It’s about a guy whose home is broken into, and he basically tells the person who broke into their home that he’s lucky he wasn’t killed while trying to break in. He’s basically saying, ‘God must’ve been looking out for you, but if you try that again, it’s over for you.”

Two clear highlights of the album are its title track, “Leather” and its stunning final track, “Make Me a Mop.” Co-written by Ian Munsick, “Leather” was shared with Johnson while the pair toured together and he revealed the moment he first heard the song. “My jaw dropped,” Johnson recalls. “Everything about a cowboy has to do with leather, so lines about it taking ‘Years of work and dirt and hurt to make him,’ or ‘He’ll start out stiff and rough, but give him time and he’ll soften up/ And that just makes him twice as tough’… It is so well-written.”

Lastly, the album ends on the especially poignant “Make Me A Mop,” which is a sparse and chill-inducing prayer of vulnerability as the singer begs God to make him something more than he is. “Make me a mop to clean up the messes that I’ve made in my life.” He begins. “Lord make me a spoon, smooth on the edges, when my words want to reach for a knife.”

With the release of Leather, Cody Johnson promised an album to outdo his last one, and he’s done just that. The LP is a solid collection of tried and true country that is sure to even further launch Johnson into superstardom.

Leather Tracklist:

  1. Work Boots (Jason Afable, Brett Beavers, Canaan Smith)
  2. Double Down (Jeff Hyde, Adam James, Clint Daniels)
  3. Watching My Old Flame (Kat Higgins, Wynn Varble, Clint Daniels)
  4. That’s Texas (Andy Sheridan, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin)
  5. Dirt Cheap (Josh Phillips)
  6. Jesus Loves You (Mark Holman, Chase McGill, Michael Hardy)
  7. Whiskey Bent (feat. Jelly Roll) (Adam James, Mikey Reaves, Rocky Block)
  8. Leather (Ian Munsick, Rivers Rutherford, Jeremy Spillman)
  9. People In The Back (Devin Dawson, Austin Taylor Smith, Mark Trussell)
  10. Long Live Country Music (feat. Brooks & Dunn) (Phil O’Donnell, Wade Kirby, Trent Willmon)
  11. The Painter (Kat Higgins, Benjy Davis, Ryan Larkins)
  12. Make Me A Mop (Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, Alan Shamblin)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. The Painter
  2. Long Live Country Music
  3. That’s Texas
  4. Leather
  5. Make Me a Mop
cody-johnson-leather

Cody Johnson shares his third studio album, ‘Leather,’ 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 Cody Johnson announcements and releases.

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

Leather 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.

Jason-aldean-highway-desperado

Jason Aldean: ‘Highway Desperado’ – Album Review

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Jason Aldean shares his new album, Highway Desperado, out now, November 3rd, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Fresh off his remarkable 28th number-one radio single, the polarizing yet popular “Try That In A Small Town,” the reigning ACM Artist of the Decade adds to his already impressive resume with another full-length project. Aldean shared the inspiration for the album’s title came from his latest sold-out headlining tour that just ended last weekend. 

“I think when I look back on it, I built my career early on my live show, and have been on the road touring since I was 18 years old. For us, touring is our favorite part,” Aldean confessed in a recent press release. “Getting on the bus and going town to town and playing our shows and doing our thing and seeing the fans…the title for the tour and album was really inspired from that.” 

That inspiration is exhibited immediately in the project’s opening song, “Tough Crowd.” The phrase, “tough crowd,” typically describes a disengaged audience, but the writers flip it into a favorable attribute. Aldean highlights the veterans and blue collar 9-to-5ers in the audience, giving them credit for partying hard at the show even after working hard all day. The track is filled with crowd cheers to give it that real, live concert feel.

The next song, “Let Your Boys Be Country,” is a PSA to all the moms out there to, like the title says, let their boys be country—let them hunt, drive trucks, fall in love with the girl next door, and be proud of where they’re from. 

Alcohol-aided heartbreak is a prominent theme throughout the record, expressed on tracks such as “I Knew You’d Come Around,” “Whiskey Drink”  and “From This Beer On.” In the former, the singer got to the bar early to get a head start on his buzz, because he had a feeling his ex would show up and wreck his good time later that night. The upbeat melody contradicts the somber subject matter, creating a unique and interesting sound. In “Whiskey Drink,” the singer is begging his substances to drown out his feelings and regret. In the latter, the singer pledges to himself that her leaving won’t affect his good time, and from this beer on, it’s all good vibes.

Love is represented in a positive light on the album as well. In the soothing “Rather Watch You,” the singer is in front of the most beautiful and scenic view imaginable, but all he can focus on is the woman next to him—a cute sentiment emphasizing the effect of true love.  The title of the snap-track, “I’m Over You,” suggests the singer has officially moved on from his ex, but instead, he’s over her being just his girlfriend.

“I’m over you not leaving your car parked out in the yard // Not stealing my t-shirts every night // I’m over your boots not next to my boots // I’m over my whiskey not next to your wine // My life could use some forever, and your name could use some new letters // You’ve had yours your whole life // I’m over you not having mine”

Aldean, whose last contribution to song lyrics was on “Keep the Girl” from his third album, Wide Open, has three cuts on this record in “Breakup Breakdown,” Hungover In A Hotel,” and the concluding title track. The former is a rocking tune that features the singer in the middle of an emotional breakdown caused from his former relationship. In the title track, the singer reflects on his lifestyle and the high he gets from being out on the road. He admits he has no intention of changing his ways. The song ends with a 75 second guitar solo.

“Every cowboy knows you can’t hang your hat in just one place // You’re a highway desperado”

In an industry that is constantly evolving, Jason Aldean continues to follow the same musical formula. Yet he continues to enthrall listeners and remains one of country music’s most popular figures—a true testament to his vocal talent, his team of writers and producers, and his showmanship on stage. Not many country artists have been at their peak as long as Aldean, and whether you appreciate his candid attitude, you must acknowledge the impact and the joy he’s had on our beloved genre.

Highway Desperado Tracklist:

  1. Tough Crowd – Kurt Allison, Marv Green, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
  2. Let Your Boys Be Country – Jaron Boyer, Allison Veltz Cruz, Micah Wilshire
  3. Knew You’d Come Around – Kurt Allison, Ben Hayslip, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
  4. Hungover In A Hotel – Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, David Lee Murphy, Neil Thrasher
  5. Try That In A Small Town – Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
  6. Whiskey Drink – Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
  7. Whose Rearview – Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughn
  8. I’m Over You – Josh Phillips, Michael Tyler, Micah Wilshire
  9. Rather Watch You – Jessi Alexander, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher
  10. Breakup Breakdown – Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughan
  11. Get Away From You – Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Lydia Vaughn
  12. Changing Bars – Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
  13. From This Beer On – Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan
  14. Highway Desperado – Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison, Jonathan Edwards, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Tough Crowd
  2. Breakup Breakdown
  3. Whose Rearview
  4. I’m Over You
Jason-aldean-highway-desperado

Jason Aldean’s new album, ‘Highway Desperado’ 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 Jason Aldean announcements and releases.

To keep up with Jason Aldean, you can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Highway Desperado 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.