NYCS First Impression: Maddie & Tae ‘The Way It Feels’

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Maddie and Tae The Way It Feels

Since bursting onto the scene with 2014’s satirical “Girl in a Country Song,” Maddie & Tae have been one of country’s most interesting acts. The duo released their first full-length album in 2015. Yet, due to unexpected career chaos, including the shuttering of their old record label, it took five years for the release of their sophomore album, The Way It Feels, out today. As the old cliche goes, some things are worth the wait.

The Way It Feels shows Maddie (Marlow) and Tae (Taylor Dye) as women in a country duo, having come a long way from their “Girl in a Country Song” days. Having lived through relationships and marriages, personal and professional heartbreaks and triumphs, the music here is mature and thoughtful. The album includes some previously-released tracks, including the stunning “Friends Don’t” and “Die from a Broken Heart,” both evidence of the kind of brilliance the pair is capable of.

The duo co-wrote on all but one of the album’s fifteen tracks, allowing their personalities to truly come through on each and every song. Other co-writers include some of the genre’s biggest names, including Dye’s husband Josh Kerr, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds, Jimmy Robbins, Jon Nite, Laura Veltz, Forrest Whitehead, and more. They also enlist Dierks Bentley on the stunningly beautiful ballad, “Lay Here With Me.” While the collaboration is one of the album’s highlights, there are many musical moments throughout the collection.

The album opens with “Everywhere I’m Going,” immediately setting the tone for the record. With it’s breezy, mid-tempo instrumentation and beautiful harmonization, the pair preview an album full of much of the same. Some of the album’s most stunning tracks are ballads, showing off Maddie & Tae’s unmatched harmonies and beautiful lyrics. There’s “Trying On Rings,” an ethereal celebration of the progression of a young summer romance all the way through to growing up and trying on wedding rings. On “Drunk or Lonely,” they’re on the receiving end of a text from an ex that has them wondering if he’s just drunk or lonely.

The album also shines on its fun, up-tempo tracks, including “Bathroom Floor,” “Ain’t There Yet,” and “New Dogs.” On the first, they implore a friend to pull herself together and recover from a breakup. “Get up off the bathroom floor/ Let’s wipe the tears off your cheeks/ Put on a dress and get out that door/ Girl, the first shot’s on me,” They sing. “Let’s jump into a cab downtown/ Let a sexy man spin you around/ Let’s show that heart/ Some neon magic/ ‘Til we’re drunk and laughing/ Back on the bathroom floor.”

On “New Dogs,” the album’s clever closing track, Maddie & Tae call out guys who are full of classic lines to pick up girls. “I’ve seen this before, Couldn’t be more not surprised,” They muse here, “Hey baby/ Let me guess/ You never felt this before/ My beauty takes your breath/ Boy get that jaw off the floor/ Ain’t my first rodeo/ I know the way this goes/ Bow wow baby/ Got a bone to pick/ New dogs, old tricks/ Oooh, put a leash on it.”

While Maddie & Tae may not have been able to do the things they’d anticipated with the release of The Way It Feels, they’re making the best of a tough situation. “This isn’t the way we dreamed of putting our album out. There’s so much we’d love to get out there and do, necks we’d like to hug, but the reality is… we all need to stay home. There’s some beauty in being home… time to listen to music,” the pair tweeted. And there’s plenty of beauty in this album to be listened to and enjoyed.

Maddie and Tae will be hitting the road this summer with Lady Antebellum, as part of their Oceans 2020 Tour, which also includes special guest, Jake Owen. The show will hit Jones Beach on August 7 followed by the rescheduled date for PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 26th. To keep up with the duo, visit their official website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

NYCS Picks:
1. “Bathroom Floor”
2. “Lay Here With Me”
3. “Die From a Broken Heart”
4. “New Dog Old Tricks”

The Way It Feels Tracklist:
1. “Everywhere I’m Going'” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Thompson, Jimmy Robbins)
2. “Bathroom Floor” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Kerr)
3. “My Man” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Dave Barnes, Jordan Reynolds)
4. “Tourist In This Town” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Barry Dean, Jimmy Robbins)
5. “Drunk Or Lonely” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Deric Ruttan, Forrest Whitehead)
6. “One Heart To Another” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jonathan Singleton, Deric Ruttan)
7. “Trying On Rings” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Laura Veltz, Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Write A Book” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Laura Veltz, Josh Kerr)
9. “Water In His Wine Glass” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jon Nite)
10. “Ain’t There Yet” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Dave Barnes, Ben West)
11. “Lay Here With Me” (feat. Dierks Bentley) (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Josh Kerr, Dave Barnes)
12. “Friends Don’t” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jon Nite, Justin Ebach)
13. “Die From A Broken Heart” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Jonathan Singleton, Deric Ruttan)
14. “I Don’t Need To Know” (Maddie Marlow, Taylor Dye, Adam Hambrick)
15. “New Dog Old Tricks” (Laura Veltz, Jesse Frasure, Emily Weisband)

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

 

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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NYCS First Impression: Sykamore ‘California King’ EP

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Skyamore

Canadian singer-songwriter, Jordan Ostrom, better known as Sykamore released a new extended play last Friday titled California King. This EP is a follow-up to her 2018 debut EP, Self + Medicine. Ostrom co-wrote all five tracks on the new record.

Sykamore grew up on a farm just outside of Calgary, Alberta, listening to the likes of country music icons, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and the Dixie Chicks. When she moved to Nashville, she signed with HOME Team Publishing, the company founded by Thomas Rhett and his father, Rhett Akins. Akins discovered her on Twitter and was quoted in saying “I read her name, I was curious…I saw her face, I was intrigued…I heard her voice, I was done.” California King, produced by ACM Award-winning producer, Michael Knox (Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson) is the first music to be released via Music Knox Records / Wheelhouse Records.

“Even before I started performing, music was always a means of escape for me,” Sykamore said in a recent press release. “I wanted to write a thank you to music for being a support system that was always there when I needed it.”

The first track, “Record High” is reminiscent of Eric Church’s “Record Year”, as Sykamore sings about how she uses her records as medicine to get her through difficult times. Sykamore has musical inspirations from many different genres and she refers to them in this track in a very creative fashion. Those artists include ACDC, Led Zeppelin, George Strait, David Lee Murphy, and Kenny Chesney, Gloria Gayner, Elvis Presley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elvin Bishop, Prince, The Beatles, and Hank Williams. Listen to the song and see if you can catch all the references!

“I got an Amarillo by morning to get me through the night / Everything’s gonna be alright, I will survive / I’m on a record high”

Another cleverly written track, “Where to Find Me” is about someone who has had such a bad day and gets so down on themselves to the point where they feel lost. However, there is one person who helps them feel better and regain who they really are. Lyrically, it sounds like a song written by rising singer-songwriter, HARDY because the chorus, like in most HARDY songs, uses a lot of assonances. In a song such as “He Went to Jared”, HARDY writes “See him sitting there with a white horse and carriage, nearly three karats. He went to Jared, I went to the bar,” he uses that “air” sound to create a great hook. In “Where to Find Me”, Sykamore doesn’t just rhyme the last word of each line, she uses assonance to make the chorus more fun and catchy.

“‘Cause when I’m down, I swear you can read my mind / ‘Cause you know where to find me / When I forget what I’m worth, you remind me / When I can’t find the silver lining / Yeah, your light, it comes shining through”

“Out of Luck” is the third track on the album and is definitely her most vulnerable one. This song goes beyond your usual “one who got away” love story; it gives it an interesting twist. The first verse/chorus is all about her and how she is dealing with the breakup. She sings “If you only get one – a single shot at love. If you only get one, then boy, I’m out of luck.” In the second verse/chorus, she discusses the guy on the other side of the breakup. In the verse, she sings “Are you happy with things or do you reach for me, when you’re half asleep and your feeling weak” and goes on to say in the chorus “If you only get one, then boy, we’re out of luck,” meaning she knows they both messed up and that they were really meant for each other.

The title track, “California King” is about the type of man who peaked in high school and still thinks he’s all that. He believes everyone should know his name and all the girls will catch feelings the instant they lay eyes on him. Sykamore can immediately see that in this man, cutting him down to size and not falling for any of his pick-up lies.

“You walk around like you deserve a crown / You think that I’ll free-fall, you’re so Tom Petty / Like I heard about you all over town / So get down off your white horse tonight / You’re such a California King”

The EP ends with the most fun, upbeat tune, “Local Singles.” This song would be perfect for your tailgate/pre-game playlist to get you and your friends ready to hit the town. Sykamore says that the reason the bars are buzzing is due to all the local single girls looking to go out and have a good time.

“We keep the neon flowin’ in those “Cold Beer” signs / We’re the only reason they don’t roll up the streets at night / This town would be a bust if it wasn’t for us / Your local singles, drinkin’ doubles”

There is clearly a lot of singing and song-writing talent here. With Sykamore signing to HOME Team Publishing and already being recognized as one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country”, we can foresee a future in which she goes from opening for Thomas Rhett on tour, to becoming one of the biggest, most influential women in country music.

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

California King 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS First Impression: Ashley McBryde ‘Never Will’

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Ashley McBryde Never Will

“Hang in there girl, you’re gonna be alright” – Ashley McBryde’s sophomore album Never Will kicks off with an anthem for those who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed during this awful pandemic. The reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year and CMA New Artist of the Year has been a poster child for determination, beating adversity and overcoming challenges thrown her way. Her breakout hit and title track from her first album, “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” put her on the map as a traditional country artist with a rocking soul and she continues the narrative with Never Will, released everywhere today.

Dabbling in ominous humor, putting her vices on display, one night stands and even covering up a murder, McBryde co-writing the majority of the tracks has stamped her signature on Never Will. The debut single from the project, “One Night Standards” set the tone, a no holds barred collection of songs that will engage both the traditionalists and the modern country fans.

Sonically, smattering electric guitars carry most of the major songs, (“Martha Divine”, “Never Will”) adding to McBryde’s thrilling live performance while more tender, acoustic moments like “Velvet Red” and “Stone” are a sincere look into the delicate stories of smalltown living on the former and the loss of her brother to suicide on the latter.

“Stone” one of the most somber yet poignant songs on the record flips grief on its head, similarly to Miranda Lambert’s “Over You”. Instead of coloring the song with sadness, she stays in the lines of anger and resentment that one may feel after losing someone they loved. “You taught me all about which ones sink and which ones skip / There’s throwing ones / And rolling ones / Getting us to open up was like getting blood from one / the stepping kind / The steady kind  / The hey I’ve got your back ones you can stand behind.” Referencing the different stones one encounters throughout life, as well as the heartbreaking headstone.

McBryde addressed deciding to keep the April 3rd release date amidst all the uncertainty of these times, sharing with Tennessean “Music is the one thing that cannot be diminished, not by being quarantined, not by being indoors or outdoors. Music cannot be destroyed.”

The title track not only acts as an appropriate sequel to “Girl Goin’ Nowhere”, proving naysayers wrong about her career and her determination to remain authentic to herself but it showcases how her vocals command the listener. “They never did understand all the reasons we did it,” she sings, “I can point out the names and the faces of the people who said it / Oh but honestly I just don’t want ’em to get any credit.”

Wrapping the album with a silly yet heartfelt ode to all things “Styrofoam” McBryde shows a lighter side and her love for the container that keeps her beer cold. There is always the dreaded fear that most artists have of the ‘sophomore slump’, however, McBryde faces the challenge head-on, staking her claim that if you thought this girl was goin’ nowhere, you were wrong.

To keep up with Ashley McBryde follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Never Will is now 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.

NYCS Picks:

  1. “Sparrow”
  2. “Martha Divine”
  3. “Stone”
Never Will Track Listing:
  1. “Hang In There Girl” (Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Bussey)
  2. “One Night Standards” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally)
  3. “Shut Up Sheila” (Nicolette Hayford, Charles Chisholm)
  4. “First Thing I Reach For” (Ashley McBryde, Randall Clay, Mick Holland)
  5. “Voodoo Doll” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Brandy Clark, Connie Harrington, Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
  6. “Sparrow” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Brandy Clark, Connie Harrington, Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
  7. “Martha Divine” (Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Spillman)
  8. “Velvet Red” (Ashley McBryde, Patrick Savage, Daniel Smalley)
  9. “Stone” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford)
  10. “Never Will” (Ashley McBryde, Chris Harris, Blue Foley, Matt Helmkamp, Christian Sancho, Victor Quinn Hill)
  11. “Styrofoam” (Randall Clay)

 

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: Sam Hunt ‘Southside’

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Southside

After blasting on to the scene with his Grammy-nominated debut record Montevallo, Sam Hunt quickly became one of country music’s most promising singer-songwriters. After a prolonged hiatus from social media, releasing music, and performing, Hunt readily regained his place in the genre, announcing a headlining tour and a new record. Today, the entertainer finally released his sophomore album entitled Southside.

In Southside, Hunt reminds fans exactly who he is and what style of music he makes. He continues that “write what you know” mentality throughout all twelve of the deeply personal and emotive tracks. Fans may recognize singles “Body Like A Back Road” and “Downtown’s Dead.” Both of which were released years before the final project. The first was an instant hit, a smooth love song where you cannot get enough of your partner, breaking records and spending 25 weeks in a row on the top of the charts. The latter depicts the story of when going out to party loses its luster when you no longer have your person by your side.

Although a new release, “Young Once” has a familiar quality to it. Similar to “Downtown’s Dead,” Hunt sings while a rhythmic hip-hop-infused beat does its part in the background. The song starts off slow, and then picks up momentum, as Hunt reminds us all to live for the moment and soak it all in while it’s happening. Of course, “Kinfolks” channels his signature hip-hop and R&B inspired country as well.

The last track will also be memorable to long-time fans too. Hunt released the somber and simply-produced song, “Drinkin’ Too Much,” back in 2017, during a time where he wanted to be with his, now wife Hannah Lee. The song is a story of repentance, where the singer admits his wrongdoings, apologizes, and by name, reminds his partner that they are meant to be together. Hunt relies on his emotive songwriting and his signature speaking and singing voice to nail the delivery and more importantly, win his lady back.

Listeners will hear Hunt’s talking voice again in the verses of “That Ain’t Beautiful.” In the same vein as “Drinkin’ Too Much,” Hunt tells a story, singing about how a girl can do better and that her actions do not reflect who she really is. Although a case of tough love, you truly feel the story Hunt is telling, and cannot help but to reflect on your own decisions while listening to the retrospective tune.

“Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” begins with a talking verse as well. Similar to “Break Up In A Small Town,” Hunt sings about how difficult break-ups are in modern-day society. He comes to the conclusion that breaking up was easier in the 90s. The cleverly strung together lyrics, make it hard not to fall in love with this all too relatable song.

“Funny how you haven’t changed a bit / You’re twice as pretty / Glad you finally got to see New York City / I know it’s not a race but looks like you’re getting over me faster than I’m getting over you / But hey / What you gonna do.”

Hunt revisits his past again in one of our favorite songs off the new record called “2016.” The cut transports us back in time, as the singer shines a light on the past, retrospectively reflecting on what he could have done different. He sings “I’d put the whiskey back in the bottle. Put the smoke back in the joint.” He first revealed the new song at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in February. The song is one of his most vulnerable and passionate to date, and the poetic nature of the song is the perfect backdrop to Hunt’s vocals.

 

Interestingly enough, similar to how Hunt’s hit single “Make You Miss Me” appeared to be an outlier on the debut record, the singer includes two ballads on Southside, which often feels like a departure from his typical sound. Regardless, both “Nothing Last Forever,” and the previously released single “Sinning With You” are two poignant and necessary tracks off the record.

Hunt pours his heart in the R&B-inspired “Nothing Last Forever,” which is much more than the break-up song it appears to be. On the contrary, “Sinning With You” focuses on the disconnect and connection between religion and being in a serious relationship that Hunt struggled with growing up, proving that he is willing to take risks in both life and music.

Although Hunt didn’t exactly revamp his sound or maybe didn’t surprise fans with a different style, he delivered exactly what we wanted from a Sam Hunt project. Southside has a consistent, yet elevated vibe, and in a time of change and chaos, we appreciate that we can always rely on him to deliver a solid, strong, and heartfelt record.

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

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

NYCS Picks:
1. “2016”
2. “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s”
3. “That Ain’t Beautiful”
4. “Sinning With You”

Southside Track List:
1. “2016” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Josh Thompson)
2. “Hard To Forget” (Sam Hunt, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, Audrey Grisham, Russ Hull, Mary Jean Shurtz)
3. “Kinfolks” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne, Jerry Flowers)
4. “Young Once” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Matt Jenkins, Josh Osborne)
5. “Body Like A Back Road” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)
6. “This Ain’t Beautiful” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally)
7. “Let It Down” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Chris LaCorte, Josh Osborne, Ernest K Smith)
8. “Downtown’s Dead” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, Charlie Handsome)
9. “Nothing Lasts Forever” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)
10. “Sinning With You” (Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne, Paul DiGiovanni, Emily Weisband)
11. “Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90’s” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Chris LaCorte, Josh Osborne, Ernest K Smith)
12. “Drinkin’ Too Much” (Sam Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally, Stuart Hine)

 

 

 

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS First Impression: Skyline Motel ‘After Dark’

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Skyline Motel

It’s been over five years since Skyline Motel’s self-titled debut EP. Sarah Buxton, Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, and Kate York are four singer-songwriter-producers/best friends who come together every few years to create music not intended for commercial success. Simply put, they create art that’s meant to heal others and bring joy to people’s ears.

After Dark consists of five songs, all written and produced by the group. The opening is the airy, bright “Fields of Knowing” sung primarily by Buxton and York. If a song sounded like a Sunday drive, this would be it. The guitar and drum combo feels like sunshine, and their voices blend perfectly together. Lyrically and sonically, it feels like the light at the end of a tunnel. “The moon is in our house tonight/I wanna swim in your high tide/You and I, we will run/Through the fields knowing/That our love could never die/Like a wave rolling/You and I, we are one/Don’t it feel golden?”

“Fields of Knowing” is the most acoustic moment on the project, with songs like the Buxton-led “Danger” and the previously released Tashian-led “Do You Want Me” airing on the more indie/electronica side. “Danger” is 80s sounding and moody, with tasteful harmonies over Buxton’s sweet voice. “Do You Want Me” is a confessional and introspective song that feels very meditative. “One Night” and “Kiss And Tell” are the grooviest numbers. “One Night” has bossa nova undertones to it, and York’s soothing vocals match the mood perfectly. “Kiss And Tell” borrows sounds spanning from hip hop and reggae to make a smooth country jam.

The constant thread running through all five songs are the universal lyrics, stunning harmonies, and Fitchuk’s signature drums. Despite being a less singer-songwriter/triple-A sounding record than their last, they have a distinctive sound that is much needed now.

So what has the band been doing for the last five years? Besides creating this new collection of songs, Fitchuk and Tashian went on to produce the GRAMMY-winning Golden Hour for Kacey Musgraves, Buxton released new music for the first time in nine years and scored a #1 for writing Chris Lane’s “Fix”, and York released an array of stunning EPs and won several awards for “Glasgow (No Place Like Home)”, a song featured in the movie Wild Rose. All in all, the foursome has been busy.

In a world divided and scared, and unsure what life will look like in the future, Skyline Motel is a beacon of light in a dark time. Their music is effortless and calming, and they prove that there is a magic floating around out there somewhere; we just have to be patient.

NYCS Staff Picks:
Fields of Knowing
Kiss And Tell
Danger

To keep up with Skyline Motel, you can follow the band members on Instagram: Sarah Buxton, Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, and Kate York.

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

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: Dan Smalley ‘If I’m Being Honest’

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Dan Smalley - If I'm Being Honest

At NYCountry Swag, we pride ourselves on bringing you the freshest and newest voices in country music. Today, one of Big Machine Label Group’s newest signees, Dan Smalley released his debut EP entitled If I’m Being Honest. The singer has written songs for the likes of Ashley McBryde and Dillon Carmichael, but today fans get to see exactly what Smalley is made of as a solo artist.

The four-song EP is an impressive collection of songs that truly gives fans and country lovers some insight into Smalley’s voice and style. The new EP is a confessional record that focuses on story-telling and song-writing, two qualities we look for in any country record.

The record opens up with “Till Country Comes Back.” The lyrics are accompanied by both banjos and steel guitar, making the song feel both familiar and nostalgic. Smalley’s smooth vocals are easy to listen to as he sings about love.

According to the singer, the song is about, “a guy who’s willing to put his life on hold and wait for the love of his life.” Happily married, Smalley admits that he would “wait [his] whole life” for his wife.

“Lucky” is next up. The song begins with an impactful vocal and simple instrumentation. Written by the singer with talented songwriter, Brian Kolb, the rising artist sings about going through hardships, only to find his way back to his love. The happenstances can only be attributed to one thing, luck. It is a true confession in song form.

“I was some kind of crazy, wild out, and out of my mind /
Til you came and saved me from spinning off the end of the line /
I was livin’ like I didn’t have nothin’ to lose /
‘Cause I only knew what livin’ was like without you /
Now here you are lovin’ on me / Yeah, talk about lucky”

Continuing to bare his heart through song, the title track is the stand-out tune off the project. Smalley reveals his truth and his demons in this story-telling song, which he shares was written as a confession to his wife, his confidant. With an Eric Church feel and honesty that feels instantly country, the singer nails it with this song.

“Truth is I’m most of the time just shootin’ from the hip / So I tell folks I’ve moved on from the bones locked in why closet / Truth is it’s just easier to lie / If I’m being honest”

Rounding out the project is the song “Rich and Famous.” Smalley shows off his funky, country-rock side in the mid-tempo jam. Once again, the singer’s wife remains his muse for this song, as well as for the overall project.

Smalley’s debut project is a smash. He delivers a little bit of everything to country fans, while showing country lovers exactly who he is, which is a hard feat to accomplish through only four songs. The singer is the full package, and we are excited to continue championing his career, as he navigates the ever-evolving country music industry.

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

If I’m Being Honest is now 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.

If I’m Being Honest Track List:

  1. “Till Country Comes Back”
  2. “Lucky”
  3. “If I’m Being Honest”
  4. “Rich and Famous”

 

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS First Impression: Rob Bellamy & Ayla Brown ‘Make It Mean Something’

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Ayla Brown Rob Bellamy

The applicable time to prosecute a passion in music is straight away, regardless of what you have already consummated and your age. The flair between duo-group Rob Bellamy and Ayla Brown is beyond prodigious. Between the two, plentiful dreams have been made with more to come. In 2004, Bellamy was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers after college at The University of Maine in Orono and after transiting to Nottingham, England to play hockey overseas, decided to pursue music. Brown is a former NCAA Basketball Player and is a past American Idol contestant who landed in the Top 16. Now, she is the co-host of The Jonathan and Ayla Show on Country 102.5.

The pair recorded their first country-Americana debut EP Make it Mean Something in Portland, Oregon. The title track is a jovial, heavy-acoustic guitar-driven tune introducing the anatomy of the duo-group to the world. “Nothing Gonna Stop” trails off of the love skirt of the title track harboring the singer’s amicable harmonies singing: “I’m gonna find the sweetest honey, even if I’m getting stung by bees // I’m gonna sail across the ocean, even if I hit stormy seas // Hot dessert, I’ll cross it // Through fire, I’ll run it // A hole in the ground that I can’t get around // Ain’t a thing in the world gonna slow me down // Nothing gonna stop, nothing gonna stop, nothing gonna stop from getting me to you and me. //

“Always Have A Home” channels an elephantine folk-ambiance with the picking of the instrumentation. It escalates the love theme even further with the tag, “Your heart will always have a home.” The closer “Built That Way” is an emotional, well-constructed ballad where the duo confess what makes them who they are. They sing, “I plant my butt at an old wood pew on Sunday morning // I hit my knees every time I pray // I bow my head when I beg for forgiveness // And I damn sure stand every time Old Glory waves // Yeah, I’m just built that way.”

Bellamy communicated on his Instagram to express his gratitude for all their fellow co-writers and “Out TODAY on all platforms. @aylabrownofficial and I recorded this EP in Portland, Oregon @jackpotrecording. Big thanks to @gusberry for helping us bring these songs to life! Also a big thanks to a few of the co-writers on these songs. @bwhytecomedy who helped us write “Nothing Gonna Stop” “Love Me Like Hell” and “Built That Way.” @stevedeanmusic who helped us write “Make It Mean Something.” And @ellewine who helped us write “Thinking Of You.” If you like what you hear please help us share! Excited to see you at some of our next shows.”

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

To keep up with Ayla Brown follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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NYCS First Impression: Rachel Reinert ‘Into the Blue’

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By Michal Pietrzak

Into the Blue Rachel Reinert

Into the Blue is Rachel Reinert’s solo debut album and it’s simply amazing. If things could have souls this album would definitely have one.  Reinert moved to Nashville in 2005 to pursue the dream of being a solo artist but became a part of Gloriana, a band that was together creating music for 8 years. 15 years after moving to Music City, she can finally say she is a solo artist and the country music family gained another member. It was an incredible journey with a happy ending as she admits on Instagram –  “I truly did not know if I was ever going to be able to get to do this-to actually hold my album and be able to share myself with whoever is willing to listen. It truly is the greatest gift. To my incredible team and collaborators who helped make this dream a reality, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

Before we get to an evaluation of the album here’s an important message posted on social media: “Hey guys. When I imagined finally getting to release my album, this is not the image I had in mind. Promoting it has certainly not been the happy event I was dreaming of given the chaos and tragedy surrounding my city and our world right now. I was supposed to be having a listening party tonight, but unfortunately, my team had to make the difficult decision to postpone. I talked with my team about what the right move is, whether to put my album out tomorrow or not, and I’ve decided that I have to press on with this release. My hope is these songs will bring comfort and joy and relief to everyone who needs it right now. These are some extremely heavy and unprecedented times but music is healing, and I believe it’s what we all need most in trying moments like these.”

Into the Blue is 43 minutes long and consists of 11 amazing songs that were co-written by Reinert. It doesn’t get better than that. Sonically the tunes are relaxing and easy-going while the lyrics are full of hope, determination, courage, feelings, and passion. The first song that stands out from the rest is “Cool” which also is a first song on the album. It showcases the way that you feel when you find your first love and what makes that relationship special and different. It’s a story which went from intense love, through intense hate to being pretty good friends. “Cool/ Me and you/ I never thought we’d get back to/ The way we used to be when we were cool”.

“Here” is another prime example of how Reinert is a spectacular storyteller through her music. The track is about love, hope, dreams, and determination. “I’ve got seven tattoos minus one that I had removed / Blame it all on mistakes of my youth / ‘Cause I do, I do/ I’ve been a grown-up since I was 16 / Left home to chase a dream / California couldn’t hold on to me/ ‘Cause I knew, I knew/ Somewhere up ahead / You’ll be waiting for me with flowers in your hand”.

“King of Hearts” is reminiscent of a song that Reba McEntire would have recorded back in the 90s about boy/man every lady should look out for because he can break your heart and leave you sad.  The next song really makes you think who your friends are as “All We Have” shines a spotlight on the meaning of friendship. You find out true friends when you’re in need. The lesson is: Don’t be fooled by people when you’re on top because when you’re down, only close and true people stay with you. “So I sold everything I had owned/ From the clothes to the big blue home/ It was just stuff keeping me stuck in rewind/ Now I’m filling the new place up with pictures frames/ Of the people that stayed when nothing remained/ But the love they gave made me realize/ All we have is who we are”

“Some Kind Of Angel” is a cream del a cream of the album. It’s the greatest and prettiest diamond in a crown. It’s a song for hopeless romantics. It doesn’t get better than a woman appreciating her man. Usually, women are called angels and that’s justified but every once in awhile there’s a man that can be called an angel. “You just let me be exactly who I need to be/ You make me feel like I’m living my wildest dream/ Sometimes I can’t believe, how you love me so endlessly/ It’s just who you are, you hold my heart like no one else on earth/ It’s such a mystery how you never give up on me/ With all we’ve been through/ Darling you are some kind of angel”  

 With such a great debut album Reinert’s star is on the rise. She delivers each of the tracks with passion and authenticity and that makes her really special. If you have 43 minutes of free time spend them wisely and listen to her album Into the Blue. It’s really worth it.

 To keep up with Rachel Reinert follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Into the Blue is now 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: Jaden Hamilton Self Titled EP

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Jaden Hamilton

Louisiana native, country newcomer Jaden Hamilton is unveiling himself to the world with his newly released self-titled EP Jaden Hamilton. This is the singer’s first mainstream release coming a long way from solely posting covers on social media.

“Ride it Out” is the introduction to the singer + songwriter’s country music birth. A full resonant instrumentation inaugurates the track before the vocal line takes over. It’s recognizable from the start that this track seizes the presentation of a perfect, night of lust underneath the stars. As the chorus begins, he sings: “I just want to take it real slow // Let these old wheels roll // Baby we can ride it out // After when the moon hangs high // And the stars catch fire // And the whole world is burning on down // Yeah we got a good thing, don’t wanna rush it // And girl your mood ring is saying you love it // And where the blacktop ends and the night begins // Baby, we can ride it, Baby we can ride it out”

“Thing About Me” begins with temperamental, labyrinthine fretwork as Hamilton institutes statements about his personality, comparing himself to an outlaw rebel on the run and reckless like a loaded gun. He admits that he never did think he was going to find someone. “Slip On Back” broadcasts feel-good summer vibes applicable for rolling-down-the-highway or chillin’ on a backroad.

Prior to the EP, Hamilton has been releasing reduced clips of his songs via Tik Tok. Hamilton announced the exciting news on his socials on February 26th affirming, “March 6th I’m releasing 3 songs on all platforms!! Super excited to get y’all some music, can’t wait for y’all to hear it. Y’all be sure to share the news with your friends! Thank y’all!”

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

Jaden Hamilton is now 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.

NYCS Picks:

  1. “Ride It Out”
  2. “Slip On Back”

 

 

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression: Brandy Clark ‘Your Life Is A Record’

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Brandy Clark Your LIfe Is A Record

In 2014, singer-songwriter Brandy Clark burst onto the music scene with the release of her incredible debut album, 12 Stories. Since then, she has been one of the genre’s most critically lauded, yet commercially underappreciated artists. Clark is seemingly the type of artist who thrives on making art, rather than seeking the approval of the mainstream. She makes music because she has to, and nowhere is this more evident than on Your Life Is A Record, out today (March 6). It’s truly a work of art that we, as music fans, should be thankful for.

What Clark has always done best, as both a writer and an artist, is tell stories, and Your Life Is A Record is truly a collection of those such stories. Unfortunately for Clark, most of the stories here tell the tale of a breakup. Speaking to NPR, Clark revealed that much of the album was inspired by the ending of her own long-term relationship, a case of art imitating life. “I went through a breakup of a 15-year relationship. And my therapy on an everyday basis is to go in and write songs, so I couldn’t help but write songs about that, even if they were somebody else’s idea.”

The album was produced by super-producer Jay Joyce and veers far away from the trappings of the trendy bombastic Nashville sound. Instead, the record has an organic, acoustic sound. With only a handful of musicians joined occasionally by the Memphis Strings & Horns, the songs have the freedom to breathe within the music, taking on a life of their own as they’re stripped bare to the listeners.

As mentioned, the album is very much a breakup album, ebbing and flowing through the different emotions that accompany the dissolution of a relationship. On the heartbreaking “Can We Be Strangers,” Clark laments, “I don’t want to want you/ I don’t want to love you/ I don’t want to hate you/ Or even care enough to/ We struck out as lovers/ We struck out as friends/ Is it too much to ask/ Could we be strangers again?”

There’s “Pawn Shop,” which hooks you immediately, as Clark opens with, “She pushed her wedding ring across the counter/ And said, ‘tell me it’s worth more than I think?'” The song then tells the tale of a wedding ring pawned at a shop, in order for its previous owner to begin her new life.

“Bigger Boat” featuring Randy Newman offers a moment of levity on the album, tackling politics, the news, and the constant scares that seem to infiltrate daily life. “You can’t eat this/ You can’t eat that,” They muse. “Is there anything that ain’t giving cancer to rats?” Of the song, Clark told NPR, “I think you can get away with a lot with humor. I think you can say a lot of really serious things. If you do it with a little bit of humor, I think, at least for me, I can often get the point across better and not divide.” And as the 2020 election nears closer, this song couldn’t be more timely, as the pair snarkily sings, “We can’t agree on who should be captain, so we can’t keep this thing afloat.”

Offering a similar levity is “Long Walk,” telling the tale of a “middle age mean girl” who Clark would like to see “take a long walk off a real short pier.” The song is the perfect kiss-off song to that annoying busybody who just can’t seem to mind her own business. The lyrics here are brilliant, as Clark remarks, “I hear it’s cold as you/ At the bottom of the ocean.”

Other highlights include the album’s first single, “I’ll Be The Sad Song,” “Bad Car,” and “Who You Thought I Was.” On the latter, Clark tells of all the things she wants to be now that she’s no longer in a relationship, in comparison to the things she wanted before. “I used to want to be Elvis,” She admits longingly as the song segues through the protagonist’s character growth. “Now I want to be honest/ I want to be better/ Now I want to be the me I should’ve been when we were together/ I want to be at least almost close to worth your love/ I want to be who you thought I was.”

Meanwhile, “Bad Car” tells the sad story of a car that’s bound for the junkyard. “I know it’s a bad car, I know it’s a piece of junk,” Clark sings before recalling the car’s finer moments and its role as a trusty companion through the harder moments of life. “It witnessed all those tears nobody ever saw me cry/ When I broke the law through Arkansas to tell my dad goodbye/ Didn’t get there pretty, but it got me there that day/ So I’m a little sad to see it roll away.”

That bittersweet emotion found on “Bad Car” is a theme that truly permeates this album, and no one does bittersweet better than Brandy Clark. While each of her records have truly been masterful, there’s something truly next level on Your Life Is A Record.

Clark will hit the road in support of Your Life is a Record, with a stop at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom on April 28. See a full list of tour dates here.

To keep up with Brandy Clark, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

NYCS Picks:

1. Pawn Shop
2. Can We Be Strangers
3. Who You Thought I Was

Your Life Is A Record is now 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.

 

 

Your Life Is A Record Track List
1. I’ll Be the Sad Song
2. Long Walk
3. Love is a Fire
4. Pawn Shop
5. Who You Thought I Was
6. Apologies
7. Bigger Boat (feat. Randy Newman)
8. Bad Car
9. Who Broke Whose Heart
10. Can We Be Strangers
11. The Past is the Past

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SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: