The Frontmen: Self-titled Debut Album Review

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The Frontmen’s self-titled debut album is officially out now, March 22nd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new record here!

Last year, three of ’90s country’s most recognizable voices combined their talents to form a new trio called The Frontmen. Together, Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas), and Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), reimagine their iconic classics and give fans more music that pays homage to the 90s country decade. Today, their debut self-titled album is officially here!

“It’s super cool to release brand new music as a full album” shared Stewart in recent press release.”I’m so excited about this music, these songs and how this project represents the three of us so perfectly.” Rushlow added, “It feels quite surreal to finally let the world in on what we have been cooking in the kitchen with The Frontmen. For 14 years playing select shows at home and overseas for our men and women in uniform, it’s time to see what the world thinks of us! I am more proud of this record with Larry and Richie than any music I have ever been involved in making.”

The debut record features six previously released songs off the EP Familiar Faces and six new songs. Amongst some of the released songs are The Footmen Editions of classic country songs, “I’ll Still Be Loving You,” “Amazed,” and “God Blessed Texas.” 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.

“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.

On “I Need You,” a familiar mid-tempo song, the trio pay homage to the early 00’s country landscape that we all still feel nostalgic for. Similarly on “It Was Always You” and “Left Their Mark,” The Frontmen show off their story-telling prowess. The latter song 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.

Amongst the new songs are songs like “The Radio Played,” Beatles and Eagles,” and “Should’ve Run Out of Angels.” On the former, The Frontmen lean into the nostalgia of it all. The song feels like the perfect summer-ready tune, primed for radio. “Beatles and Eagles,” while more melancholy in nature also has that impressive nostalgic quality to it. The record ends with an appropriately-titled song, “Goodbye Beautiful Goodbye,” that truly speak to The Frontmen’s one-of-a-kind talent.

Nostalgia is a common thread woven throughout the entire record. The Frontmen have found a way to both modernize their sound, while also bringing every element country music fans have always loved from the 90s and early ’00s. Their debut album is as impressive as ever!

The Frontmen Track List:

  1. It Was Always You
  2. The Radio Played
  3. I Need You
  4. Beatles and Eagles
  5. Left Their Mark
  6. Should’ve Run Out of Angels
  7. Rattlesnake
  8. Layin’ Low in Mexico
  9. I’ll Still Be Loving You (The Frontmen Edition)
  10. Amazed (The Frontmen Edition)
  11. God Blessed Texas (The Frontmen Edition)
  12. Goodbye Beautiful Goodbye

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “The Radio Played”
  2. “Beatles and Eagles”
  3. “Amazed (The Frontmen Edition)”
  4. “Goodbye Beautiful Goodbye”
the-frontmen-debut-album

The Frontmen’s debut album is officially out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

The Frontmen’s debut album 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.

chris-young-number-one-young-love

Chris Young: ‘Young Love & Saturday Nights’ – Album Review

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Chris Young’s new album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, featuring “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” “Looking for You,” and “Young Love & Saturday Nights” is out now.  Read our review below!

With one of country music’s strongest and most impressive voices, Chris Young’s music is instantly recognizable. He has a penchant for combining modernism with traditionalism that has made him one of the genre’s most consistent hitmakers for nearly twenty years.

Today, the singer-songwriter releases his most ambitious project to date, Young Love & Saturday Nights, an eighteen track collection that shows him stretching himself, musically, sonically, and lyrically. On his ninth full-length release for Sony Music Nashville, the Tennessee native continues to do what he does best, but does it even better. “The biggest thing for me – is I wanted this album to be special, I had a lot of time to work on this record,” He shared in a recent roundtable. “I really was just trying to find a lot of things that I wanted to say…I think I was just trying to pour out a little more of myself on this record that I haven’t really delved into before.”

“This is what this album felt like it needed to be for me,” Young shared. “It’s a little louder, a little more raw. Even the stripped-down songs are heavier. I love creating music and I love making it and the fact that I get to do that for a living is a pretty incredible thing.”

The album finds Young branching out beyond love lost, sexy times, and drinking songs to examine things like getting older, God, and his love for his dog. The seasoned singer-songwriter co-wrote 15 of the album’s 18 tracks, and was involved in producing or co-producing the bulk of the songs, bringing a new flair to his sound.

When speaking to reporters, Young revealed that he has one main issue with the album. “Here’s the problem with this record: I feel like there are about nine or ten singles on it. That’s the only negative I would say about this record, and that’s why I’m so excited to talk about it.”

While it may be commonplace for artists to feel that way, it’s truly the case on Young Love & Saturday Nights, as there are multiple single-ready tracks, just begging for radio play. Ultimately, it will depend on what direction Young and his team wants to go, as this album truly offers him the opportunity to put out something unexpected.

A perfect example of this is “Country Boy’s Prayer,” which he describes as “one of those really, really special songs.” For Young, it shows a different side, as he thanks God for all of the “country” things that make life great. “Yeah, I pray // There’s gas in my truck // And dust in my mirror // That every day my fridge is full of ice-cold beer,” He sings. “Gimme friends that I would fight for // And a girl that I would die for // Let us grow old on a front porch chair // That’s a country boy’s prayer.”

Other songs tackling new topics for Young include the previously-released ode to man’s best friend, “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” the blistering “Fire,” the celebration of small town life, “Everybody Grew Up,” and a special song for his dad, “Growin’ Up.” On that tune, he touches on themes of aging and mortality, and admits he had tried to write a similar song many times, but kept coming up empty. Instead, it came to him from writers Johnny Clawson, Dave Fenley, and Kyle Sturrock. “It’s really, really special,” he says. “It’s one of those where you hear it and you’re like, ‘Damn, I wish I wrote that.’”

For those who love Young for his sexier songs, he admits they’ll always have a place on his records. “I think that’s something that’s indicative of my records. There’s always going to be love songs, sexy songs. It’s just something that has to happen.” On Young Love & Saturday Nights, he turns the lights down low and his voice down lower on the 90’s-tinged  “Call It a Day” and the seductive “Don’t Stop Now.”

“What She Sees in Me” is a study in incredulity as Young can’t imagine what a childhood friend-turned-lover could possibly see in him. “I get to see how pretty she is when she wakes up // I get to see how perfect she is with no makeup // I can see us twenty years from now on an old porch swing // I still see her in every dream // I can see her faith when it gets tough // I can see her grace when I mess up // I can see how far she is out of my league // But I still can’t see what she sees in me.”

While Young is falling in love on tracks like “What She Sees,” he’s trying to fall out of it on “Don’t Call Me,” “Million Miles,” and “Fall Out.”. “But how do you fall out// How do you tell your heart don’t break // How do you not care // Whenever someone says her name // How do you rewind back to the good times // Act like she didn’t mean so much,” He croons. “I know how to fall in, but how do you fall out // Fall out of love.”

It’s not all love and heartbreak here, however. There’s “Double Down,” “Looking for You,” and “Knee Deep in Neon,” all driving up-tempos that provide more raucous moments. Likewise, the album’s title track is a catchy and nostalgic explosion, sampling the iconic guitar riff from the David Bowie classic, “Rebel Rebel.” “I had no idea what it was. The minute it started, I’m like, ‘Are they playing me “Rebel Rebel” right now? That’s weird,’” Young recalls of the song written by Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, and Josh Thompson. “Then I realized it was an entirely new song.” 

The album concludes with “Down,” the final track added to the album. While the relationship may have ended, it certainly had its good moments, and according to Young, that’s worth recognizing. “It’s like, ‘Hey we knew this wasn’t going to last, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t amazing while it did,’” he says of the album’s closing moment

On Young Love & Saturday Night, Chris Young is at his absolute finest, perfectly walking the line between modern and traditional country.

Young Love & Saturday Nights Tracklist:

  1. Looking for You
  2. All Dogs Go to Heaven
  3. Young Love & Saturday Nights
  4. Don’t Call Me
  5. What She Sees in Me
  6. Country Boy’s Prayer
  7. Double Down
  8. Call It a Day
  9. Drink to Remember
  10. Don’t Stop Now
  11. Fall Out
  12. Fire
  13. Gettin’ Older
  14. Right Now
  15. Million Miles
  16. Everybody Grew Up
  17. Knee Deep in Neon
  18. Down

Country Swag Picks:

  1. What She Sees in Me
  2. Don’t Call Me
  3. Fall Out
  4. Country Boy’s Prayer
  5. Knee Deep in Neon
chris-young-young-love

Chris Young’s new album, ‘Young Love & Saturday Nights’ 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 Chris Young releases.

For tour dates and more, visit the singer-songwriter’s official website here or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter. 

Young Love & Saturday Nights  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.

Kacey Musgraves: ‘Deeper Well’ – Album Review

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Kacey Musgraves shares her fifth studio album, Deeper Well, out now, March 15th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

Kacey Musgraves has long been one of country’s – and forget just country, music’s – most influential songwriters of the 21st century. Her way of cutting straight to the bone of a lyric has rocked listeners’ worlds for over a decade, and her latest, Deeper Well, continues to weave universal storytelling with sonic ethereal magic.

The album’s opener, “Cardinal” is a wonderful opener for a variety of reasons. For one, it’s probably one of the funkier tracks, sounding like a cross between a 2000s Nelly Furtado hit and deep-cut off The Chicks’ Home. There are interesting rhythmic and tempo changes that occur by the time the listener gets to the bridge, and lyrically, it sets the tone for the entirety of the album: seeing signs in everything, falling in love, anxiety, growing up, and letting yourself make mistakes and learning from them.

Title track “Deeper Well” is the second song, and previously released “Too Good To Be True” is third, and while already lovely on its own, fit seamlessly into the story of the rest of the album. The threads of anxiety and falling are leaned into.

You can clearly hear the inspiration of everyone from Willie Nelson and John Prine to Nick Drake and Judee Sill on tracks like “Dinner With Friends” and “Giver/Taker”. Musgraves and her musical partners, Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian modulate on “Dinner With Friends” in this particularly interesting way that is reminiscent of the 70s more psychedelic folk like Drake and Sill, although lyrically it falls slightly short of that vibe. “Giver/Taker” is just generally fantastic, with the drums coming in on the second verse in that floaty, “Slow Burn” perfection way. There are a lot of metaphors to the outdoors on this album, but also, a lot to “the house” that Musgraves is in. “Moving Out” clearly follows that metaphor as well.

Transitions from one song into the next flow seamlessly together, another nod to the 60s and 70s songwriter influence, and this is really heard on a favorite, “Sway”. It’s floaty and gorgeous sonically, but also incredibly thoughtful. “Most of the time thoughts in my mind keep me running/Show me a place where I can just think of nothing”. It’s existential, but also a surrender to anxiety, with Musgraves sharing that “maybe one day I’ll learn how to sway”.

Perhaps the middle of the album gets a bit redundant lyrically – “Lonely Millionaire” and “Heart Of The Woods” are slightly forgettable – but every track is still truly stunning in the effortless sonic planet that Musgraves, Fitchuk and Tashian have created.

The only song written without Fitchuk and Tashian is “The Architect”, written with longtime, original collaborators Shane McNally and Josh Osborne. As usual, the three wrote a song that is like a masterclass in country storytelling. “Is it too late to make some more space?” Musgraves ponders throughout. Sonically, it could fit the bill of any Lilith Fair performer.

Deeper Well feels like a slightly more countrified Laurel Canyon project, and the wonderful closer, “Nothing To Be Scared Of” solidifies this. Musgraves successfully stripped back a layer of vulnerability when writing this album that resonates, and Deeper Well is already shaping up to be one of the musical highlights of 2024.

Deeper Well Tracklist:

  1. Cardinal
  2. Deeper Well
  3. Too Good To Be True
  4. Moving Out
  5. Giver / Taker
  6. Sway
  7. Dinner With Friends
  8. Heart of the Woods
  9. Jade Green
  10. The Architect
  11. Lonely Millionaire
  12. Heaven Is
  13. Anime Eyes
  14. Nothing To Be Scared Of
kacey-musgraves-album-deeper-well

Kacey Musgraves shares her new album, ‘Deeper Well,’ 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 Kacey Musgraves releases.

To keep up with Kacey Musgraves follow her on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.

Deeper Well 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.

raelynn-funny-girl-song

RaeLynn Releases New Song “Funny Girl” Out Now

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RaeLynn shares her brand new song, “Funny Girl” is out now, March 15th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

RaeLynn has had quite the journey in country music, but her steadfast honesty and commitment to authenticity may be one of the most intriguing things about her. The sassy singer has a knack for bringing real life into her songs. Today, she releases one of her most honest releases to date. “Funny Girl” is officially out now.

“Funny Girl” is a true story-telling song. Throughout the track, RaeLynn shares what it was like growing up as a the “funny girl,” rather than the popular girl. The song reads as a letter to the fellow “funny girls” who may relate to this song. While the entire song is impressive, the wordplay RaeLynn uses in the chorus is one of the most underrated parts of the song.

“Funny girl, how’ve you been? // I’ve been you, girl, since I was ten // Funny girl, keep cracking jokes // When shit gets real, that’s all you’ll know // The life of the party, tonight’s entertainment // A clear sky when the parade’s raining // Yeah, I know you’re mad at where you’re at // Gettin’ jealous of your friends // Ridin’ shotgun seat to the homecoming queen with a label on your back”

“Funny Girl” marks a new era of music for the songstress who is expected to release a full-length album later this year. Stay tuned!

Raelynn-funny-girl-song

RaeLynn shares her new song, “Funny Girl,” 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 RaeLynn announcements and releases.

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

“Funny Girl” 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.

Peytan Porter: ‘Grown’ – EP Review

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Peytan Porter releases her brand new EP, Grown, out now, March 1st, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

2024 is the year of Peytan Porter re-introducing herself to the world as the incredible artist and storyteller she is. The once pop-country artist has found her true sound, drawing on soul and rock sounds to add to her country songwriting. Today, Porter released her brand new EP, Grown featuring six songs.

“I’m not apologizing for or watering down the colors of who I am anymore,” Porter shared in a recent press release. “I’m getting in tune with a sound and style that’s all mine and stepping into being more transparent with the way I think and see the world and it really feels like I’m setting myself free. It’s definitely a coming of age for me.”

The perfectly titled Grown EP shows exactly that – growth. With all six songs co-written by the artist, each of the tracks on the project showcase her own journey. The record kicks off with songs called “Lemonade” and “God’s Hotel.” On the former, Porter shares about vices and coping skills that humans tend to use. While the storytelling keeps the listener hanging on every word, the standout instrumentals, which almost feel like a bilateral beat does something to the brain. On “God’s Hotel,” Porter leans into the theme of holding space for ourselves. The Americana, yet silky song showcases the songstress’ at her best both lyrically and vocally.

“And the saints say they know where they’re goin’ // When it comes their time // But I’m windows down, rock and rollin’ // For a vacancy sign // Well maybe God’s got a hotel for people like me // That ain’t tryin’ to build a mansion on a gold gated street // All I’ve heard about Heaven is it don’t come cheap // Maybe God’s got a hotel for pеople like, peoplе like me”

Porter continues to lean into the swampy, yet sultry side of her talent on “High Road,” while “Speaking Of Georgia” finds the singer focusing more on nostalgia. The Georgia native pays homage to the relationships and the place that raised her. The song appears to be both healing and yet bittersweet. “Speaking Of Georgia” is arguably one of the best off the project.

Next up, the title track is the song that brings many of the themes together on the EP. “Grown” shares honest anecdotes from Porter’s life, as well as, the peace she has found despite the ups and downs of life. The song reads like a journal entry, something that adds that “special” factor to the already incredible song.

Finally the record culminates with the sixth and final song on the record called “Run The Radio.” The track feels like the perfect ending to the well-rounded EP. Overall Grown feels like the project  that proves that Porter has unapologetically stepped into her true calling as an artist. We cannot say enough good things about the EP!

Grown Tracklist:

  1. Lemonade – Written by Peytan Porter, Ian Christian, Matt Willis
  2. God’s Hotel – Written by Peytan Porter, Faren Rachels, Jeff Garrison
  3. High Road – Written by Peytan Porter, Brinley Addington, Matt Morrisey
  4. Speaking of Georgia – Written by Peytan Porter, Billy Montana, Mark Trussell
  5. Grown – Written by Peytan Porter, Steve Moakler, Mark Trussell
  6. Run The Radio – Written by Peytan Porter, Greg Bates, Trent Dabbs

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Grown”
  2. “Speaking Of Georgia”
  3. “God’s Hotel”
peytan-porter-grown-ep

Peytan Porter releases her brand new EP, ‘Grown,’ out now.

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

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

Grown 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.

trey-lewis-troublemaker-album

Trey Lewis: ‘Troublemaker’ – Debut Album Review

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Trey Lewis shares his album, Troublemaker, out now, March 1st on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

It’s been 3 years since Trey Lewis’ viral, smash hit, “Dicked Down in Dallas” blew up on TikTok and country bars around the U.S. If you haven’t heard the song, it is as raunchy as its name suggests. While these lyrics may be too aggressive for some, Lewis embodied this new persona and fans embraced it. His new project, Troublemaker, is full of amusing lyrics and innuendos like his hit single, however, he also explores themes of love, heartbreak, and nostalgia in the second half of the record, giving listeners a bit more variety.   

“I feel like everything I’ve been through in my life has built up to this moment,” Lewis admitted in a recent press release. “I feel like these songs really represent where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. I believe there is something on this album for every listener, whether this is their first time hearing me or they’ve been a fan for years. My hope is that people can relate to it and play it and then play it again and again and again.”

Lewis’ humor is displayed in the first half of the album, notably in songs like “Could’ve Been Me,” “Girl Problem,” “Up Yours,” and “Outlaw Us.” In “Could’ve Been Me,” the singer is thankful that his ex is marrying another man. In “Girl Problem,” the singer acknowledges that his issue with women is that he can’t settle on just one. 

The songwriters in “Up Yours” cleverly use the hostile phrase in a lighter, but still negative connotation. The singer wants to forget and move on from his ex but the songs he hears and the whiskey he sips keep bringing up her memory. “Outlaw Us” is a small-town anthem that lists the actions and beliefs of a true country boy. The singer states: “We’re gonna be who we’re gonna be ‘til the day they outlaw us.” 

Switching gears to the more vulnerable side of the record, Lewis demonstrates lust in “Pretty Hungover,” “Always You,” and “What I’m Doin’”. In the former, he eloquently expresses his admiration for his partner in every moment, whether she’s dressed up or in sweatpants, sober, drunk, and even hungover. In the latter, the singer confesses he is new to serious relationships and feels the pressure of keeping her happy. Like someone starting a new job, he is just trying not to screw up and get fired, or in this case, lose the girl.

In “Mine Never Could” and the album’s closer, “I Quit,” the singer displays his frustrations with romance. He is envious of his ex in the former, confused to how she moved on so fast after the breakup. In “I Quit,” the singer finally believes he found true love, but if the story takes a turn for the worse, he is officially cutting ties with his heart.

“I guess what it all adds up and comes down to // We’re just two hearts and it’s too soon to call it what it is // If this ain’t love for you then girl, you can split // but for me, if this ain’t it, I quit”

It is difficult for artists to re-route their musical path after having massive success with their first single. Troublemaker shows listeners that Lewis is more than the guy who gave us “Dicked Down In Dallas.” The songs on the record are reflective of him as an artist and give broader depth to him as a human. 

Troublemaker Tracklist:

  1. Drunk In A Bar (Justin Wilson, Matt Rogers, Chris DeStefano)
  2. Could’ve Been Me (Dawson Edwards, Alex Maxwell, Joe Collins)
  3. Wishin’ I Was Fishin’ (Joybeth Taylor, Matt McKinney, Tate Howell, Jared Hampton)
  4. Up Yours (Lee Thomas Miller, John Pierce, Ben Stennis)
  5. Girl Problem (Seth Ennis, Joe Fox, Trea Landon)
  6. Outlaw Us (David Lee Murphy, Rhett Akins, Michael Carter)
  7. Sounds Like Money To Me (JT Harding, Brice Long, Matt McKinney)
  8. Pretty Hungover (Tommy Karlas, Kyle Coulahan, Davis Corley)
  9. Always You (Ben Hayslip, Matt McKinney, Jacob Rice)
  10. Troublemaker (Trey Lewis, Kyle Coulahan, Davis Corley)
  11. What I’m Doin’ (Trey Lewis, Jake Rose, Stone Aielli)
  12. I’m A (Craig Wiseman, Chris Stevens, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
  13. Mine Never Could (Matt Jenkins, Zachary Kale, Deric Ruttan)
  14. I Quit (Trey Lewis, Matt McVaney, Jordan Walker)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Pretty Hungover
  2. Up Yours
  3. I Quit
  4. Mine Could Never
trey-lewis-troublemaker

Trey Lewis shares his debut album, ‘Troublemaker,’ 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 Trey Lewis releases.

Lewis will showcase the new record on his spring tour of the same name. For tickets, head to his website. 

To keep up with Trey Lewis, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.

Troublemaker 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.

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Redferrin: ‘Old No. 7’ – EP Review

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Redferrin releases his debut EP, Old No. 7, out now, February 16th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

One of our favorite things to do here at Country Swag is to highlight and champion artists early on in their careers. Redferrin, an artist we truly believe in is making his major-label debut today with his brand new EP. The Warner Music Nashville signee shares his new project called, Old No. 7. 

“It feels good to finally be releasing a project rather than singles,” shares Redferrin in a recent press release. “I got to be super hands-on and craft the stories the way I wanted them to be told, and it’s very special to me. I’m excited for people to really get a feel for who I am and what kind of music I make.”

Throughout Old No. 7, Redferrin leans into his Tennessee roots, showcasing his talents as both a singer-songwriter and a producer. The record features seven distinct songs that speak to Redferrin’s talent and diverse musical interests. Fans of Morgan Wallen are sure to fall in love with his creativity and knack for storytelling that is evident from the first single on the project, fan-favorite and viral song, “Jack and Diet Coke.”

“You won’t know the difference when you mix it with some whiskey // It’ll still get you buzzed up just right // Don’t believe it, kiss me, boy, still gon’ get ya tipsy // So I did and your lips taste just like // Jack and Diet Coke // Jack and Diet Coke // Now, baby, all I want is Jack and Diet Coke // Jack and Diet Coke”

The record continues with two more songs called, “Lose Her For Nothin'” and “Miss Summer.” The former tells the story of heartbreak in a way that feels like an anthem. Redferrin gives listeners the nostalgia we are all craving on the standout track, “Lose Her For Nothin'”. While on “Miss Summer”, the song reminisces about a summer love. The tune reads as a true and honest depiction of a quick, but impactful romance. After just one listen, fans will be hanging on every word of “Miss Summer.”

Redferrin continues to bring the honesty on the next tracks of the EP. “Just Like Johnny” talks about being stuck in your ways. The singer compares his relationship to Johnny Cash and June Carter. Redferrin remains honest about the vices that may get in the way.

While honesty is a common thread throughout the EP, no song is as genuine as track 5, “Doin’ Life.” According to the singer, the song is one of the most vulnerable songs he has ever released. It capsules his struggles with mental health and the pain he has felt throughout his life. “I’ve battled with depression in the past and have lost friends to suicide, so it was really important to me to tell this story and put this song out into the world. Music kept me going through the hard times and I hope that someone comes across this song right when they need it too.”

“Lucky to even be alive, the way I was doin’ life // Hardly made it through the nights, I was fighting suicide // Every day feeling low, like it’s just the way it goes // When you come from down the road, you get used to getting by // Just trying to survive, the way I was doin’ life // Felt like I was doin’ life, yeah”

On the final two songs of the project, “She’s Like Whiskey,” and “Champagne In The Morning,” Redferrin continues to prove his talent. “She’s Like Whiskey” leans into the hip-hop influence in the singer’s repertoire, while “Champagne In The Morning” captivates you from the first note complemented by the intriguing production.

Redferrin’s first official outting, Old No. 7 is one of the best releases of the year so far. The record has songs that will stay stuck in your head for days, while still addressing real stories and experiences. Redferrin is an artist to look-out for.

Old No. 7 Tracklist:

  1. Jack and Diet Coke (Blake Redferrin, Jake Saghi, Kevin Bard)
  2. Lose Her For Nothin’ (Blake Redferrin, Cooper Bascom, Rose Falcon)
  3. Miss Summer (Blake Redferrin, Chris Loocke, Michael Tyler)
  4. Just Like Johnny (Blake Redferrin, Micah Wilshire)
  5. Doin’ Life (Blake Redferrin, Jarrod Ingram, Blake Hubbard)
  6. She’s Like Whiskey (Blake Redferrin, Jake Saghi)
  7. Champagne In The Morning (Blake Redferrin, Tawgs Selter, Jacob Hackworth)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Lose Her For Nothin'”
  2. “Doin’ Life”
  3. “Jack and Diet Coke”
  4. “She Like Whiskey”
redferrin-ep

Redferrin releases his debut EP, ‘Old No. 7,’ 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 Redferrin releases.

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

Old No. 7 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.

Chase Matthew: ‘We All Grow Up’ – EP Review

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Chase Matthew releases his new EP, We All Grow Up, out now, February 16th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

On his new EP, We All Grow Up, Chase Matthew is poetic and nostalgic about the trappings of life in a small town, love, heartbreak, and everything in between. Featuring six new songs, four of which he co-wrote, the project serves as a solid introduction to the Warner Music Nashville artist.

For the Nashville native with a well-publicized troubled past, the EP reflects overcoming adversity for something greater, which included a March 2023 Opry Debut. This summer, the young star will also hit the road with Jason Aldean, continuing his meteoric rise as he cleverly blends hip hop infused beats with a country twang.

“This project has been a blast to put together. Each one of these songs makes you feel something,” shares Matthew. “‘We All Grow Up’ feels reminiscent. ‘Small Town Shit’ might make you feel like a hometown badass. ‘Darlin” is one of my favorites because I’ve been in that situation before. I’ve had a great time working on this one with some great friends. Can’t wait for y’all to hear it!”

The EP opens with the title track, a nostalgic throwback that is sure to win over legions of new fans. On the mid-tempo anthem, Matthew shares a poetic look at the kids he grew up with, admitting that they all took different paths. “Some left town and some got stuck, It takes a whole lotta God, a little bit of love,” He sings. “But we all settle down and we all grow up.”

Similar themes weave through tracks like “Small Town Shit” and “Dirt Road Does.” On the former, which is remnant of tracks like Kane Brown’s “Bury Me in Georgia” or Aldean’s “Burnin’ it Down,” the newcomer booms through a barn burner as he celebrates all the things that make small towns special. Alternatively, the album’s closing track, “Dirt Road Does,” shows a more vulnerable side of the singer-songwriter as he likens his love to a dirt road, and while it shouldn’t work, it absolutely does. Over a sparse guitar ballad, he muses  “I thank God everyday for the both of you // Yeah your brown eyes and a two lane windshield view // When I’ve been gone too long // You both know how to take me home.”

“Darling” finds him suspicious of a girl on the hip-hop infused track that finds him channeling Brown and Sam Hunt as he questions her.  “If he’s just a friend, then why’s he always calling?” He asks on the earwormy track. “Why’s he call you darling, Why’s he call you daily?”

“Make You Miss Me” and “I Don’t Carolina” both find Matthew dealing with heartbreak. On “Miss Me,” he wants her to regret the end, while “I Don’t Carolina” turns to clever lyrics as he deals with a breakup with a Carolina girl. On the moving heartbreak ballad, he name drops cities like Charlotte, Raleigh and the Outer Banks before going anywhere to escape her.  “I’ll head to Texas, Times Square,” He proclaims. “Anywhere I won’t find ya, ‘Cause I don’t Carolina.”

On We All Grow Up, Chase Matthew is sure to continue his meteoric rise to stardom, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s filling arenas on his own.

We All Grow Up EP Tracklist:

  1. We All Grow Up
  2. Darlin’
  3. Making You Miss Me
  4. I Don’t Carolina
  5. Small Town Shit
  6. Dirt Road Does

Country Swag Picks:

  1. We All Grow Up
  2. Darling
  3. Dirt Road Does
chase-matthew-ep

Chase Matthew shares new EP, ‘We All Grow Up,’ 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 Chase Matthew releases.

For tour dates and more, visit the singer-songwriter’s website here. He’ll be hitting the road with Jason Aldean this summer as part of the Highway Desperado Tour, with stops at Jones Beach on July 12 and PNC Bank Arts Center on July 13.

To keep up with Chase Matthew, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

We All Grow Up 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.

Drake Milligan: ‘Jukebox Songs’ – EP Review

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Drake Milligan releases his new EP, Jukebox Songs, out now, February 16th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

With a voice seasoned way beyond his 25 years, Drake Milligan is easily one of country music’s best modern traditionalists. This is on full display on his new EP, Jukebox Songs, which allows his impressive voice to shine over four new tracks. Produced by fellow Texan, Trent Wilmon, the EP continues to illustrate Milligan’s impressive talent. 

Similar to his previous releases, the Stoney Creek artist’s new EP is the best of both traditional country and modern sounds. He shares, “My goal for this EP was to write and find songs that feel classic and memorable – the kinda tunes would fit right in on some old Rock-Ola in the corner of a smoke-filled bar on the outskirts of nowhere Texas. It’s a continuation of the old-meets-new Country sound I’ve always gone for, and this time with my friend Trent Willmon at the reins as producer, I’m very excited to keep this honky tonk train rollin.’” 

The EP opens with “What I Couldn’t Forget,” a swinging and single-ready ode to finding new love beneath neon lights. While he may have entered the locale with the intention of drowning his sorrows in a sad country ballad, someone new catches his eye and a love story is forged over fiddle and steel.  “I think I walked in here running from a memory,” He admits, a playful tone lacing his booming voice. “I can’t remember what I couldn’t forget, that train of thought took off the moment we met, All I got is you girl running through my head, I can’t remember what I couldn’t forget…All I know is I’m glad you’re here.”

“I Got A Problem” starts off with a cheeky ragtime piano, as Milligan sets up the story, musing about what happens when “a guy like me gets hooked on something.” Initially, it may seem like a ballad but quickly traditions into a rocking uptempo as the singer deals with his addiction to a new woman in his life. 

“Your kiss tastes like whiskey and I’m a drinker // You play with my heart strings, and girl, I’m a singer // Nah, it ain’t no joke, you’re a smoke show // And I’m a Marlboro man when I’m holdin’ your hand // You’re a wild card, I’m a gambler // I was goin’ nowhere, you wrecked my plan, girl I got a problem // But what a damn good problem to have”

“Don’t Leave Me Loving You” is an immediate standout, finding him a broken hearted balladeer as he channels his inner George Strait, longing for a lost love on the powerful ballad. “Come leave me hurt, Come leave me mad, Come leave my heart broken in half,” He pleads. “Leave me like someone I never knew, Hating the hell you put me through, Just don’t leave me loving you.”

The collection ends with the rousing “Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers,” a simple but effective celebration of a local and reliable haunt that’s sure to have cold beer and good music. It’s the perfect ending to the EP, leaving listeners with a smile on their faces, as they are immediately transported to the place. Akin to tracks like “Redneck Yacht Club,” “I Love This Bar,” or “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association,” it leaves listeners with a taste but wanting more.

The only problem with Drake Milligan’s Jukebox Songs EP is that it’s too short. However, the four song collection packs a powerful punch that’s sure to be played on repeat.

Jukebox Songs EP Tracklist:

  1. What I Couldn’t Forget
  2. I Got A Problem (Full Length)
  3. Don’t Leave Me Loving You
  4. Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers
drake-milligan-ep

Drake Milligan shares new EP, ‘Jukebox Songs,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

Milligan will be hitting the road with Cody Johnson this Spring. For tour dates and more, click here.

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

Jukebox Songs 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.

dasha-debut-album

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

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Dasha releases her debut album, What Happens Now?, out now, February 16th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

For rising star Dasha, her new album, What Happens Now?, is truly a return to her roots. While the singer-songwriter may have begun her career with viral pop tunes on TikTok, country music is always where her heart has been. 

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

Her passion for the music shines through on the eight song collection, which is lyrically much like a journal through her deepest thoughts and feelings. This is evident on songs like “Drown Me,” “42,” and “Even Cowboys Cry.”

Conversely, the album’s opening track is truly an outlier, a driving up-tempo that adeptly mixes electro pop beats with twangy guitar rhythms as she ponders the potential of a summer romance with a boy who “hurts so good.” 

“Austin” is a more straightforward country up-tempo, with its hand-clapping, two-stepping countrified rhythm about a guy who failed to keep his promises. “Did your boots stop workin’? Did your truck break down? Did you burn through the money? Did your ex find out?” She asks. “Where there’s a will then there’s a way and I’m damn sure you lost it // Didn’t even say goodbye // Just wish I knew what caused it.”

Of “Austin,” she revealed to Country Swag that it was one of her favorite songs she’s ever recorded.  “We started creating this whole story about this guy who kind of screws you over and you leave him at this bar, and I love how angry it is,” She shares. “It crawls under your skin, because it’s not that you’re mad – mad, it’s like you’re hurt – mad, and I feel like that emotion really comes through in that song. We wrote it in an hour, which is crazy fast for a song.”

Despite being a California native, Dasha embraces small town life on “Talk of the Town” and “Share this City,” musing that “the smallest towns have the biggest mouths” on the latter, as she deals with a relationship that’s at the root of a town’s gossip. Likewise, “Share this City” finds her trying to dodge an ex. “I’ve been avoiding all the places that we used to love, and heaven only knows I don’t get out enough,” She admits mournfully. “Maybe we should call it a truce and maybe I won’t run into you.”

Heartbreak weaves its way though many of the songs, including the incredible standout that is “Drown Me,” a sad guitar ballad that finds her sinking beneath the weight of her broken heart, powerful imagery finding her pleading with a former lover that she’s addicted to. “Empty all the air inside my lungs and shook me in the water, even when you think I’ve had enough, then hold on to me harder, Baby drown me, if you need me,” She sings. “I’m infatuated, baby, with the way you make me hate you.”

“Even Cowboys Cry” and “42” are also powerful ballads in their own ways, with the former encouraging a cowboy to open up and deal with his demons. Meanwhile, the latter is about counting down the days until you see someone again and longing to pick up where things left off, despite a year between.

“So tell all the girls you’ve been kissing that they had a good run // But it’s all over and through // Tell them that your little lady’s moving back to the city // And it’s not them, it’s that I finally get to have you // And your penthouse with the bad view // And my toothbrush in your bathroom // And you can tell I’m tryna act cool // But do I finally get to have you?”

While Dasha may have previously dabbled in pop music, it’s clear from What Happens Now? that country is truly where her heart lies… and where she belongs.

What Happens Now? Tracklist:

  1. What Happens Now?
  2. 42
  3. Austin
  4. King of California
  5. Drown Me
  6. Talk Of The Town
  7. Share this City
  8. Even Cowboys Cry

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Austin”
  2. “Even Cowboys Cry”
  3. “42”
dasha-debut-album

Dasha shares her debut album, ‘What Happens Now?,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

What Happens Now? 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.