NYCS First Impression: Blackberry Smoke ‘The Southern Ground Sessions’

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Blackberry Smoke

The boys of Blackberry Smoke have been garnering fans across the rock and country genre for over a decade. Their smooth, American Southern rock and country sound has always resonated with music lovers. After releasing their sixth studio album, Find a Light back in April, they dropped an accompaniment to that album, an acoustic EP entitled The Southern Ground Sessions.

The record is a captivating six-song EP that the group, consisting of Charlie Starr, Richard Turner, Brit Turner, Paul Jackson, and Brandon Still, wrote and recorded in Southern Ground Studios. In a press release, the leader singer (Starr) stated, “It felt really cool to come back to Southern Ground Studios and play music with some good friends. It was like stripping it down and playing in the living room.”

Just like their previous full-length, independently-released Blackberry Smoke albums, The Southern Ground Sessions is a unique mix of soulful vocals, beautiful harmonies, and lyrics, as well as, killer acoustic instrumentals. Songstress, Amanda Shires lends her vocals to two tracks, “Let Me Down Easy,” as well as, the band’s tribute and rendition of Tom Petty’s, “You Got Lucky.” Additionally, singer Oliver Wood shares his talent on the track, “Mother Mountain,” which was previously released over the summer.

All six tracks transition and flow effortlessly into one another, each showcasing a 70’s musical flair with contemporary lyrics. One of the standout tracks off the EP, “Best Seat In The House,” shows off those 70’s vibes both sonically and lyrically, “ You got a right to  your opinion / You got a right to speak your peace / You got a right to be silent / Well that ain’t ever work for me.”

After listening to the record, it is evident how humbled and excited the band felt to have the tracks available, wherever music can be bought or streamed, sharing on Twitter, “Brothers and Sisters, friends and family: The Southern Ground Sessions EP is officially out everywhere today! We had a blast putting this together and hope you enjoy it.”

For the next month, Blackberry Smoke will continue to tour throughout Europe, returning to the United States just before Thanksgiving, to play their annual, “Brothers and Sisters Holiday Homecoming Show” in Atlanta, Georgia. If the band makes it to the tri-state area, we will be sure to let you know. Go to blackberrysmoke.com for more information about the band.

The Southern Ground Sessions Track List:

  1. Run Away From It All
  2. Medicate My Mind
  3. Let Me Down Easy (feat. Amanda Shires)
  4. Best Seat In The House
  5. You Got Lucky (feat. Amanda Shires)
  6. Mother Mountain (feat. Oliver Wood)

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NYCS First Impression: Jessie James Decker ‘On This Holiday’

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Jessie James Decker is getting us all into the holiday spirit with her brand new studio Christmas album entitled, On This Holiday. This cheery collection of ten songs features Decker’s renditions of six holiday classics, along with four original Christmas tunes, all co-penned with Daniel Tashian: “Snowlight,” “Wonderful Day,” “Christmas In Cabo” and “Baby! It’s Christmas.” Plus, fans who purchase the album exclusively at Target will receive an eleventh bonus track entitled, “My Favorite Holiday.”

The singer-songwriter put her own personal twists on “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire),” “Santa Baby,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Her distinct vocals belt out each tune with such grace.

The two standouts of these classic covers have to be “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Decker opted for a bit more of an upbeat tune with both of these songs, while the originals carry on a slower tempo. Each of them has a “sway to the beat” element.

“Snowlight” is a fun song about dancing in the snow with her husband. Decker sings in the chorus,
“Just meet me in the snowlight / Come on and dance with me tonight / The streets are shining so bright / Don’t you love the feeling in the snowlight”.

“Wonderful Day” tells the story of Decker’s version of the perfect holiday day spent with her husband. She sings in the chorus, “The countdown begins / I can’t imagine it without ya / Ain’t it fun, everybody is feeling the love / It’s a wonderful day / Feeling so good to have you home for the holiday / And I can’t wait to unwrap you / Hey, it’s a wonderful day on this holiday / And I can’t wait to spend it with you”.

“Christmas in Cabo” is an island vibe tune about spending Christmas on the beach in Cabo, rather than in the cold weather. Decker sings in the chorus, “Spending Christmas in Cabo / So long Chicago / I need sun rays on this holiday / Taking shots of tequila / So long, we’ll see ya / Let’s have our fun by the sea, adios”.

“Baby! It’s Christmas” is a cheery jam about the best aspects of Christmas time. Decker sings,  “It’s that time again where we all get to be together / The snow is falling in this frightful weather / And I can’t wait to see all the lights on the tree at night / Baby! It’s Christmas, say yeah”. 

“My Favorite Holiday” tells the many reasons why Christmas is Decker’s favorite holiday. She sings in the chorus, “Oh Merry Christmas / Oh you don’t wanna miss this / It’s Santa and his sleigh / It’s Rudolph and his gang / Oh Merry Christmas, it’s my favorite holiday”

To celebrate the album’s release, the country star will be playing a holiday show at City Winery in Nashville, Tennessee on December 5th featuring special surprise guests. Tickets are available here.  On This Holiday is now available everywhere you stream or buy 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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Levi Hummon Plays New EP ‘Patient’ at Intimate Nashville Release Party

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Levi Hummon

Photo Credit: Molly Holmberg

Rising country star Levi Hummon is no stranger to the music industry. With a father in the business, Marcus Hummon, writing songs like “Cowboy Take Me Away”, “One of These Days”, and “Bless the Broken Road”, Hummon has been surrounded by talent from a young age. Today he released his brand new EP Patient comprised of six tracks. To celebrate the release of Patient Hummon took the stage at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley last night (October 25th).

This being his very first VIP Party event, Hummon performed an acoustic set of two songs before meeting everyone, signing posters and CDs, and taking lots of photos. Hummon has created quite the fan base for himself since releasing music on Spotify, and other streaming platforms, that has been featured on top playlists such as New Boots and Hot Country. People waited in line at the door for over three hours before the show started to catch the new rising star. Hannah Ellis started off the night singing new songs and included her hit single “Home And A Hometown” which she sang for us just a few weeks ago during our Live Swag Session.

Levi Hummon Patient

Photo Credit: Molly Holmberg

Hummon then took the stage for a nine-song set, opening with one of his latest singles “Change My Life.” In between songs, the singer-songwriter told stories behind the songs, the meaning behind them, and thanked the people that got him where he is today. The rest of the night went by too fast. The crowd was up on their feet, singing every word, and the energy in the room was so infectious it was undeniable. Hummon finished the night with a fan favorite “Songs We Sang”, which has 16.9 million streams, that got everyone clapping and singing along.

After the show, the highly anticipated EP was released on all streaming platforms. Off of the six-track record, we see three new songs “I Still Do”, “Tough Love”, and “Earthquake.” “Earthquake” is a favorite on the road and since fans keep requesting it Hummon thought it would fit perfectly on the EP. The top track “I Still Do” got an immediate response from the crowd. The ballad is based off a real-life break-up, with his former record label, Big Machine Label Group.

If you are looking for a new artist or song, look no further. Levi Hummon is changing the game and bringing irresistible songs to the plate. You can now stream the EP on any service now or buy it here!

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Kelsea Ballerini Releases Four New Songs on Deluxe Album

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2018 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Kelsea Ballerini, has released the deluxe version of her sophomore album, Unapologetically, in honor of the one-year anniversary of its original release. Expanding the storytelling collection of twelve songs, Ballerini has added four new tracks, including her previously released collaboration with EDM-pop duo The Chainsmokers “This Feeling,” “Fun and Games,” “I Think I Fell in Love Today” and a live acoustic cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”  The country superstar scored her fourth number one single from this album with “Legends” and made waves with her not so typical love song, “I Hate Love Songs.” Ballerini’s current single, “Miss Me More” is sure to be added to the album’s list of accomplishments.

Co-penned with Forest Glen Whitehead and Shane McAnally, “Fun and Games” is an uptempo song about relishing in a casual, non-exclusive romantic relationship until one person realizes they’re longing for something more. Ballerini sings in the chorus, “It’s all fun and games / It’s all poker face / Three A.M., your place / You hold me close like you do your cards / Can’t tell the joker from the queen of hearts / Or the queen of spades / It’s all go then stay, every time you call me, hey / It’s all fun and it’s all games ’til someone doesn’t wanna play.”

The next addition on the deluxe album, “I Think I Fell in Love Today,” tells the magical story of the moment Ballerini knew she was in love. She sings in the chorus, “‘Cause love don’t have any rules / When gravity starts to pull you closer to another / From a friend to a lover / Looks like forever in his eyes / That don’t happen all the time / But, when it does it changes everything / And I think I fell in love today.”

As if these four new songs weren’t exciting enough, the singer-songwriter is not done releasing new music this week. Ballerini took to her Instagram stories on Wednesday (Oct. 24) to surprise fans with the news that she will be releasing a recorded version of the fan-favorite song that she has previously performed on a few tours, “We Were Like” exclusively for fan club members. The link to the free download will be emailed to everyone who signs up here (https://kelseaballerini.com/wewerelike) on Monday, October 29th. “It’s just for you because I love you and I love knowing that you love the song,” Ballerini told fans on Instagram.

The superstar will be in New York City this Saturday, October 27th, to open up for Keith Urban on his Graffiti U World Tour at Barclays Center. Tickets are available here.  If you are unable to make it to the show, not to worry, you can catch Ballerini performing at the 2018 CMA Awards airing live from Nashville on November 14th at 8/7c on ABC.

Unapologetically (Deluxe Edition) is now available everywhere you stream or buy 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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NYCS First Impression: Dillon Carmichael ‘Hell on an Angel’

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Dillon Carmichael Hell on an Angel

Photo Courtesy of Shorefire

You are always told to never judge a book by its cover and the same goes for people as well. Dillon Carmichael is the same way. With looks like Stapleton, you might expect one thing but you will be in for a pleasant surprise. Carmichael puts in his songs Hank’s timelessness rhythm and Eric Church’s mysteriousness, all while incorporating a voice of his own. In his new album, Hell On An Angel, Carmichael puts forth music that is unlike any in today’s scene.

“Hell On An Angel” is the title track to the new album, produced by the award-winning Dave Cobb. The music from this album has already garnered a huge response from his growing fan base. The song tells the story of a reckless teenager who gets arrested and their mother is left to wonder where she went wrong. It paints the picture of him having “one foot in the fire and the other stepping on her [angel’s] wing”.

Other songs off the album include “Country Women” which explains the story of a man who simply likes a country woman. Between not being afraid of tractors, the loudness of his gun, and a love for horses, “country women is all I [Carmichael] will ever want.” “Natural Disaster” explains the opposite. No matter how hard he tries to get over her, like a Mississippi mudslide, he keeps losing ground. “The whiskey won’t chase down a memory that’s faster, it’s too late for cover here, comes another natural disaster.” Carmichael paints the imagery of each song so well with his lyrics, making it hard to not fall in love with the songs. “Hard On A Hangover” is a song that seems familiar but is very much its own. As soon as you press play it transports you back to that old country feel.  “I snuck in through the back door like I always do, I locked it up and kicked off my old noisy boots, and I tiptoed down the hallway to our king sized bed, and I thought that I got away with it again, but I hold on to the sound of a door slam, she left her wedding rings on the nightstand, with a note that told me it was over”

Co-writing 8 of the 10 songs on Hell On An Angel, the album also has contributions from Leroy Powell and Jon Pardi. Other people featured on the tracks include steel guitar phenomenon Robby Turner, bass player Brian Allen, drummer Chris Powell, and others. While each song is uniquely different, they come together for a wholesome sound tying the record together. Dillon Carmichael is a name that you want to keep an eye on as he will be climbing up the charts very soon. Check out the track listing below and make sure to stream it on Spotify.

Hell On An Angel tracklist:

1. “Natural Disaster” (Anthony Smith, Chris Wallin)
2. “It’s Simple” (Carmichael, Larry McCoy, Chris Rodgers, Neal Coty)
3. “Country Women” (Jon Pardi, Jim Kaufman, Britton Cameron)
4. “Hell on an Angel” (Carmichael, Daniel Smalley)
5. “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” (Carmichael, McCoy, Coty)
6. “Hard on a Hangover” (Carmichael, Becky Montgomery, Robert Jason Young)
7. “What Would Hank Do” (Carmichael, Jordan Rager, Houston Phillips)
8. “Might Be a Cowboy” (Carmichael, Joey Hollis, Tom O’Connor)
9. “Old Flame” (Carmichael)
10. “Dixie Again” (Carmichael, Aaron Raitiere, Leroy Powell)

Hell On An Angel is now available everywhere you stream or buy 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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NYCS First Impression: Josh Turner Releases ‘I Serve a Savior’

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Josh Turner I Serve a Savior

There’s nothing more special than an artist who pours his heart and soul into an album. Nowhere is this more evident than on Josh Turner’s new MCA Nashville release, I Serve a Savior, his first full-length Gospel release and the follow up to 2017’s Deep South. Since the earliest days of Turner’s career, his religious faith has been an evident theme throughout his music, revealed on some of his biggest hits, including “Long Black Train” and “Me and God.”

It’s not uncommon for country artists to venture into the religious territory, as evidenced by recent releases from Reba (2017’s Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope), Jo Dee Messina (“Reckless Love”) and Carrie Underwood’s inclusion of “How Great Thou Art” on her Greatest Hits Album. For Opry member Turner, the decision to release a Gospel album was somewhat of a surprise. “Working on this project has definitely been a God-ordained blessing. I never would have thought I’d be doing this record this year, but God opened a door and I walked through it,” Turner said in a statement. “I’ve seen many seemingly impossible things take place during the making of this record and I’ve felt God’s anointing over it.”

“My faith is the most important thing to me,” Turner continues. “I want people to hear the sentiment and heart behind this record. I want them to feel the same inspiration that I felt. I want them to feel that and hopefully, they’ll make these songs a part of their life.”

Produced by Kenny Greenberg, the LP opens with “I Saw the Light,” and shows Turner flexing his impressive vocal chords over well-known hymns and future classics. Highlights include the album’s title track, co-written by Turner and Mark Narmore, the acapella take on “Doxology,” and Turner’s version of Loretta Lynn’s “I Pray My Way Out of Trouble.” The singer also tackles the classics, adding his own touch of twang to the likes of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Amazing Grace.”

I Serve a Savior also includes “The River (of Happiness),” a track written by Turner’s wife, Jennifer, and his eldest son, Hampton. The touching track, recorded live at Gaither Studios, features his four sons singing alongside their parents. “It’s an uplifting song,” he said in a press release, “and having Jennifer and the boys singing on it drives that home.”

The album concludes with a live take on Turner’s 2006 hit, “Me and God,” from his album, Your Man. On the track, he sings, “We’re a team, Me and God,” which is evidenced throughout this passion project, as Turner clearly serves his Savior with this release.

Josh Turner’s I Serve a Savior Track Listing:

1. “I Saw The Light” (Featuring Sonya Isaacs)
2. “I Pray My Way Out of Trouble” (Featuring Bobby Osborne)
3. “Great Is Your Faithfulness”
4. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
5. “Without Him”
6. “I Serve a Savior”
7. “How Great Thou Art” (Featuring Sonya Isaacs)
8. “The River (of Happiness)” (Featuring the Turner Family Live From Gaither Studios)
9.” Amazing Grace”
10. “Long Black Train” (Live From Gaither Studios)
11. “Doxology”
12. “Me And God” (Live From Gaither Studios)

I Serve a Savior is now available everywhere you stream or buy 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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NYCS First Impression: Jimmie Allen ‘Mercury Lane’

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Jimmie Allen Mercury Lane

Last November, during our Swag Session with Jimmie Allen, we said we couldn’t wait to watch his career blossom, as he garnered more and more fans and mainstream success. Today (10/12) marks an incredible milestone for the singer-songwriter. His debut album, Mercury Lane is now available everywhere music is sold. Mercury Lane is truly a passion project for the singer. The record shows perseverance and versatility, two characteristics that describe Allen too. It is clearly personal to the Stoney Creek Records recording artist, as the record is named after the street in Delaware, where he grew up and learned the lessons that have led him to this point in his career.

The record is a complete body of work, offering a song for all music lovers. Allen, who NYCountry Swag named a 2018 Artist to Watch,  adds some flavor to mainstream country music, mixing in some rock, pop, and R&B influences into the album, produced by Ash Bowers and Eric Torres. From love songs to inspiring songs to songs to drink to, the singer is proving that he is the full package. The recording artist co-wrote on eight of the fifteen tracks, including “Make Me Want To,” Back of Your Mind,” and his hit single, “Best Shot,” with some of Nashville’s hottest songwriters.

Each track shows a different part of the singer’s personality and range as a vocalist, songwriter, and as a human being. “Deserve To Be,” one of the slower songs on the record tells the story from Allen’s perspective about a girl, who deserves to have the most fulfilling life and be treated like someone’s “world.” The track is sure to resonate with the millions of fans, who already fell in love with the lead single “Best Shot”, which is climbing up the charts.  The singer expresses another side of his personality with “Underdogs.” With its catchy hook and smooth beat, the song is bound to be a fan favorite. It is Allen’s take on an anthem for people, who are different, and trying to push through adversity. Although the singer didn’t write this one, we can see how the lyrics relate to his 10-year journey to ‘make it’ in the music industry.

If you’re looking for a new tailgate song, don’t worry, Mercury Lane has that too. The soulful track, “County Lines,” which Allen recently released a lyric video for, is sure to become a staple at summer tailgates. “County Lines” has an R&B vibe, with a catchy chorus that keeps listeners wanting to tap their toes and sing along from first listen.

Following the release, the Delaware native announced via his Twitter, three album listening parties, beginning in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 14th. After a short stint in the U.K. with Chase Rice, Allen will embark on Scotty McCreery’s tour, which hits New York on January 26th and Kane Brown’s tour in November, where he will definitely be playing music off his new record.

Mercury Lane Track List & Songwriters:

  1. “American Heartbreaker” — (Jimmie Allen, Lance Miller, Chris Stevens, Ash Bowers)
  2. “Make Me Want To” — (Jimmie Allen, Paul Sikes, Jennifer Denmark)
  3. “Deserve to Be” — (Jimmie Allen, Danielle Blakey, Tripp Howell)
  4. “How to Be Single” — (Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins)
  5. “Wait for It” — (Ash Bowers, Thom McHugh, Steve Williams)
  6. “High Life” — (Lance Miller, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Chris Stevens)
  7. “21” — (Brandon Hood, Josh Jenkins, Ash Bowers)
  8. “Underdogs” — (Ash Bowers, Brandon Lay, Jonathan Singleton)
  9. “Like You Do” — (Jimmie Allen, JP Williams, Josh London, Jason Mizell)
  10. “Back of Your Mind” — (Jimmie Allen, Matthew McVaney, Devin Tolentino)
  11. “Boy Gets a Truck” — (Ash Bowers, Aaron Scherz)
  12. “County Lines” — (Brett Tyler, Ben Burgess, Matt Dragstrem)
  13. “Best Shot” — (Jimmie Allen, Josh London, JP Williams)
  14. “Warrior” — (Jimmie Allen, Casey Beathard, Ash Bowers)
  15. “All Tractors Ain’t Green” — (Jimmie Allen, Brandon Hood, Tim Nichols)

Mercury Lane 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.

For future tour information, upcoming news and announcements from Jimmie Allen, visit jimmieallenmusic.com, and follow the rising star on his journey via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

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NYCS First Impression: Morgan Evans ‘Things That We Drink To’

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Morgan Evans

Since the 2017 release of his debut American single “Kiss Somebody,” Australia’s Morgan Evans has been lauded as one of country music’s next big things. Today, Evans released his debut album on Warner Music Nashville, Things That We Drink To. While much of the album reads as a love letter to Evans’ wife, Kelsea Ballerini, and believe me, it’s swoon-worthy, the overall body of work is a solid and diverse debut.

Evans, who NYCountry Swag named a 2018 Artist to Watch, co-wrote all eleven songs on the album with producer, Chris DeStefano and a handful of Nashville’s hottest hit-makers including Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, Josh Kear, Jaren Johnston, and Jon Nite. Additionally, Evans joined forces with DeStefano to play every instrument on the LP.

“My album is a collection of songs that I wrote over the last two years,” said Evans in a statement. “It’s my story. It’s leaving behind everything and everyone you know to chase down a country music dream on the other side of the world. It’s the excitement of the unknown, it’s the fun, it’s the loneliness and it’s the struggle. It’s losing someone and finding the strength to keep your head up and make them proud. It’s meeting a girl, falling hopelessly and marrying the love of your life. It’s the Things That We Drink To.”

The album opens with “American,” an anthemic up-tempo about an American girl who enchanted Evans from the get-go. It’s immediately evident that the track is about Ballerini, without ever veering into cheesy. He credits feeling at home whenever he’s with his American girl.  “She’s American, making my world better than it’s ever been,” He sings. “One part Norma Jean, and one part Marilyn. She’s making me fall in love with everything…American.”

The album continues up-tempo with the aforementioned “Kiss Somebody” and “I Do,” both which provided Evans’ with his initial introduction to the U.S. country scene. There’s “Day Drunk,” which like the former two tracks appeared on his EP, and is easily one of the ear-wormiest tracks on the album. The song celebrates living in the moment and getting day drunk, enjoying happy hour on the hour. It’s sure to be a staple of Evans’ live shows and merchandise for years to come, and we fully expect this to be the song that the crowd sings back at the top of their lungs, drinks buoyantly raised in the air.

 

While other songs simply allude to Evans’ relationship with Ballerini, the golden-voiced blonde lends her vocals to the album’s first ballad, “Dance with Me.” Written by Evans and DeStefano, the romantic track is easily a future first-dance classic. Using Ballerini on background vocals here makes it all the most personal, but also adds a haunting hint to an already sweet track.

Other highlights of the album include the title track, “Things That We Drink To,” a sparse piano ballad made uber-powerful by an anthem of voices in its chorus. “We Dream” creates another compelling moment, using a choir of children’s voices to emphasize the song’s wishful meaning. They remind us, “When we look at the world and don’t like what we see, we close our eyes and we dream.”

The album concludes with “Young Again,” which has been a favorite of ours since we first heard it. Channeling his inner Ed Sheeran, “Young Again” celebrates a perfect night out with friends that just can’t last long enough. “So what the clock says 3am?” Evans asks, “We will never be this young again.”

With Things That We Drink To, Morgan Evans has released a stellar debut album, cementing himself as Australia’s most exciting country music export since Keith Urban.

Things That We Drink To Track List & Songwriters:

  1. “American” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
  2. “Kiss Somebody” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
  3. “I Do” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley)
  4. “Song for the Summer” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, David Hodges)
  5. “Day Drunk” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Lindy Robbins)
  6. “Dance with Me” feat. Kelsea Ballerini – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano)
  7. “Me on You” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
  8. “Things That We Drink To” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
  9. “We Dream” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite)
  10. “Everything Changes” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Blair Daly)
  11. “Young Again” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear)

Things That We Drink To 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.

Evans hits the New York area in December for Chris Young‘s “Losing Sleep Tour” along with Dan + Shay. Tickets and more information here. For upcoming news and announcements from Morgan Evans, visit morganevansmusic.com, and follow the rising star on his journey via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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NYCS First Impression: Will Hoge Releases ‘My American Dream”

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Will Hoge

 

In his latest album release, My American Dream Will Hoge has plenty to tell us as he takes us through eight tracks of powerful storytelling where his songs stand as a true testament to what is going on in the world we live in today. Hoge’s songwriting has earned him multiple country music nominations, and it is no surprise My American Dream is an album that must be played all the way through. His thought-provoking and daring lyrics continue to impress after his last album Anchors debuted in 207.

He holds nothing back as his lyrics depict political views right from the beginning with opening track “Gilded Walls.” In one particular verse, Hoge says “And I work two jobs and raise a family, while you’re living on everything your daddy left behind, and it’s clear you don’t care about the folks down here, inside your gilded walls that shine.” With specific references to school shootings and air pollution, Hoge leaves no stone unturned when it comes to controversial topics.

Referencing our future, in the second track titled “Stupid Kids,” Hoge sings “You’re the only ones that are ever gonna make things change” and encourages youth to have a voice, to not quit and to keep marching on because the current generation has not figured it out yet. One song that stands out on My American Dream is “Thoughts and Prayers” where Hoge continues his lyrical protest; a somber acoustic ballad about people dying by gun violence and politicians not doing anything about it. He makes us all question how many times we can give our condolences after a loved one is lost and in the end, nothing changes.

Other highlights of the album and expressive lyrics are songs such as the title track, “My American Dream” and “The Illegal Line,” which brings light to small businesses shutting down due to production overseas and border patrol regulation. Hoge’s album has a country/rock bluesy vibe that will reel you into exactly what he is feeling and all of his gutsy emotions are heard through each verse. It is definitely a highly engaging album worth listening all the way through.  The album is available everywhere music can be found and he is on tour through December. Listen to the full album below and for tour dates and more information head to willhoge.com

 

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NYCS First Impression: Heather Morgan Releases Debut Album “Borrowed Heart”

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Heather Morgan, "Borrowed Heart"

Heather Morgan, “Borrowed Heart”

Singer-songwriter Heather Morgan has released her highly anticipated debut album, Borrowed Heart.

The Texas native has had major success as a songwriter, penning numerous hits for artists like Brett Eldredge, Maren Morris, Kenny Chesney, Danielle Bradbery, and many more. Now, it’s time for Morgan to let her voice shine and create a name for herself as a performing artist.

While searching for her own sound, Morgan spent many long days and late nights in the writing room, but it wasn’t until a spontaneous soul-searching trip to Joshua Tree, that Morgan found her unique voice.

From a small AirBNB tucked away in the Joshua Tree area, Morgan created the beautifully composed song “Your Hurricane”, which stands out clearly through the album, feeling the helplessness of love and how it overcomes us. Followed by her edgy, almost heavy metal track “Morning Light” which captures her feisty side.

Morgan’s personality beams through with every track on the album. It’s soulful, truthful, and without a doubt, relatable in every single lyric she’s singing. From beginning to end, the entire record is a masterpiece of storytelling. It’s clear and strong writing that doesn’t miss any important details.

In a recent press release, Morgan explains the idea behind the title track “Borrowed Heart”, which she co-wrote with Lori McKenna, “There is so much meaning to the words ‘Borrowed Heart’, together for me that goes beyond the song.” she says. “I have been writing with other artists for a while and it’s such a gift to create with them. You literally pass on parts of your story and your soul in the writer room to other people and they do the same. This title just seemed to fit the moment and summarize everything I put into it.”

Most of the songs on the album are composed by Morgan, along with some help from fellow Nashville songwriters and friends including Ross Copperman, Paul Moak, and Lori McKenna.

It’s clear that Morgan’s unique sound and previous experience in the songwriting scene was just the right step for her in creating this project.

Borrowed Heart 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.

For future tour information, upcoming news and announcements, visit heathermorganmusic.com, and follow the rising star on her journey via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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