Lauren-watkins-ep

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Introducing: The Heartbreak EP Tracklist:

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

Country Swag Picks:

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

Lauren Watkins shares brand new EP, ‘Introducing: The Heartbreak,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

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

the-frontmen-ep

The Frontmen: ‘Familiar Faces’ – EP Review

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

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

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

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

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

Familiar Faces EP Tracklist:

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

The Frontmen release their brand new EP, ‘Familiar Faces,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

chris-stapleton-number-one-white-horse

Chris Stapleton: ‘Higher’ – Album Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Higher Tracklist:

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

Country Swag Picks:

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

Chris Stapleton shares new album, ‘Higher,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

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

zac-brown-band-covers-album

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 From the Road, Vol. 1: Covers Tracklist:

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

Country Swag Picks:

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

Zac Brown Band shares new album, ‘From The Road, Vol. 1: Covers,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Zac Brown Band announcements and releases.

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

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

From The Road, Vol. 1: Covers is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

brett-kissel-album

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

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

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

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

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

The Compass Project: West Album Tracklist:

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

Brett Kissel shares his new album, ‘The Compass Project, West Album” out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

The Compass Project: West Album is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

cody-johnson-leather

Cody Johnson: ‘Leather’ – Album Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leather Tracklist:

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

Country Swag Picks:

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

Cody Johnson shares his third studio album, ‘Leather,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

Jason-aldean-highway-desperado

Jason Aldean: ‘Highway Desperado’ – Album Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highway Desperado Tracklist:

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

Country Swag Picks:

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

Jason Aldean’s new album, ‘Highway Desperado’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

Aaron-watson-cover-girl-album

Aaron Watson: ‘Cover Girl’ – Album Review

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Aaron Watson shares his new album, Cover Girl, out now, October 27th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Born out of sharing iconic songs with his young daughter, Jolee Kate, Aaron Watson’s Cover Girl, out now, is a passion project of epic proportions. In addition to re-recording a wide range of classic songs, the Texas native enlisted a host of rising independent female country stars to join him, including Jenna Paulette, Kimberly Kelly, Bri Bagwell, Morgan Myrles, Kylie Frey, and more.

“I’ve gotten the chance to share the stage with a number of incredibly talented female artists who are hustling the independent game just like I am,” Watson shared. “When I decided to do the Cover Girl record, I knew I wanted to find females that I believed in and knew would be an asset to the song.”

The LP opens with Watson and Paulette joining forces on a classy cover of the Rosanne Cash classic, “Seven Year Ache.” Melodically, it stays true to the original but the duo still manages to modernize a song that’s over 30 years old. That theme works its way throughout the LP, as Watson and his duet partners consistently add a new flair to tried and true classics.

“9 To 5” features 2023 America’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Frey and stays true to the original, in a good way. While it’s musically very similar to the original, it’s unique to hear a male voice on the classic, which adds a new element in a way that doesn’t sound like karaoke. Likewise, Kimberly Kelly lends her voice to the classic “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” while Courtney Patton shines on The Judds’ “Grandpa (Tell Me About the Good Old Days).”

Watson manages to put a new Texan spin on Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons,” alongside Morgan Myles. The Gaga cover allows the pair to harmonize beautifully, their voices blending on the building crescendos of the powerful song which truly allow Myles to shine for a special moment on the LP.

UK export Twinnie joins Watson on “Back on the Train Gang,” adding a bit of twang to the Pretenders classic, a song written after the band’s guitarist died from a drug overdose. The pair manage to make the familiar track sound like it was always meant to be a country tune. Likewise, Jamie Lin Wilson sounds right at home on the stirring “Love at the Five and Dime,” while Bri Bagwell breathes different life into Sheryl Crow’s “Can’t Cry Anymore.” Alyssa Micaela’s raspy rock-leaning voice also adds an unexpected layer to the Emmylou Harris classic, “Two More Bottles of Wine.”

“All Through the Night” is another clear highlight, beautifully pairing Watson with Leigh Nash, best known for her days with Sixpence None the Richer. On the Cyndi Lauper classic, Nash’s voice is the star, shining in a haunting yet powerful way, her rich yet airy tone perfectly complimenting Watson.

Watson’s cover of Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up” is especially poignant, as it features vocals from the singer’s young daughter, who inspired the whole project. “If you’re going to sing someone else’s song, it has to be a song that you believe in,” He shared. “I was listening to (‘Never Grow Up’), and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, you could totally sing this to your kids from a dad’s perspective to his daughter.’” 

“My daughter, like most teenage girls and women on the face of the earth, is obsessed with Taylor Swift. She was insistent that I did a Taylor Swift song on this project and who can argue with that?,” Watson revealed in a recent interview. “I told her that if I covered Taylor she would have to sing with me on it! Then we had to choose the right song, right? …We did think about covering one of Tayor’s upbeat, popular songs but then we found ‘Never Grow Up’ and it made for a perfect daddy/daughter moment. It’s such a sweet song and a song that I can listen to years in the future and hear Jolee at 13 on too.”

On Cover Girl, Aaron Watson and his eleven unique duet partners take classic songs and reimagine them in new and different ways. From Taylor Swift to Rosanne Cash to the Pretenders, there’s something for every music fan here.

Cover Girl Tracklist:

  1. Seven Year Ache ft. Jenna Paulette
  2. Million Reasons ft. Morgan Myles
  3. Back on the Chain Gang ft. Twinnie
  4. Love At The Five And Dime ft. Jamie Lin Wilson
  5. Can’t Cry Anymore ft. Bri Bagwell
  6. All Through The Night ft. Leigh Nash
  7. 9 to 5 ft. Kylie Frey
  8. You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma ft. Kimberly Kelly
  9. Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) ft. Courtney Patton
  10. Two More Bottles Of Wine ft. Alyssa Micaela
  11. Never Grow Up ft. Joel Kate Watson

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Million Reasons
  2. Never Grow Up
  3. All Through the Night
  4. Seven Year Ache
Aaron-watson-cover-girl-album

Aaron Watson shares new album, ‘Cover 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 Aaron Watson announcements and releases.

To keep up with Aaron Watson, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Cover 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.

Kimberly-perry-superbloom

Here is Kimberly Perry’s New Solo EP: ‘Superbloom’

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Kimberly Perry shares her new EP, Superbloom, out now, October 27th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

As she steps out into the limelight as a solo artist, Kimberly Perry continues to find her stride as a seasoned country artist. The GRAMMY-winner’s brand new project, Superbloom, expands on her first project as a solo country music artist, Bloom. The new EP features nine songs that really speak to the songstress’ talent, story, and staying power as an artist.

“I named this project Superbloom because it’s the perfect description of this moment in my life. The convergence of all my dreams coming true — building my solo voice and building my own family at the same time,” Perry shared in a recent press release. “Whether it’s your dreams, relationships or circumstances — with this music I hope to usher in and provide a soundtrack for the BOLD SUPERBLOOM in every field of your life.”

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

Superbloom Tracklist:

  1. Fool’s Gold
  2. Black Corvette
  3. God’s Hometown
  4. Monsters (Whit’s Lullaby)
  5. If I Die Young Pt. 2
  6. Burn The House Down
  7. Cry At Your Funeral
  8. Ghosts
  9. Smoke ‘Em Too
Kimberly-perry-superbloom

Kimberly Perry shares new EP, ‘Superbloom,’ 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 Kimberly Perry announcements and releases.

To keep up with Kimberly Perry, follow her on Instagram and X/Twitter.

Superbloom 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.

Craig-morgan-enlisted

Craig Morgan: ‘Enlisted’ – EP Review

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Craig Morgan shares his new EP, Enlisted, out now, October 20th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

For U.S. Army Veteran, Craig Morgan, the word enlisted holds a lot of meanings. However, in the context of his new EP, out now, it has to do with the famous friends he enlisted to join him on his new project. On the six song project, simply titled Enlisted, Morgan has re-recorded four of his biggest hits and added two new songs along with famous friends like Trace Adkins, Luke Combs, Gary LeVox, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, and Lainey Wilson.

“Making this record has been so much fun because I got to get in the studio with some of my friends and also re-create some of my catalog in a way that feels like brand-new music,” shared the Broken Bow Records artist.

The new tracks on the EP include its anthemic opener, “Raise the Bar,” which pairs him with Combs and its closing song with Adkins, “This Ain’t Gonna Be Me.” On the single-ready “Raise the Bar,” the pair trade vocals about a stop at a local bar to raise a toast to the hard-working men and women of the country. Meanwhile, “This Ain’t Gonna Be Me” allows Morgan to proclaim his values and what’s important to him. “For me, it’s about God and family and country,” Morgan says. “I am so blessed, and I recognize the blessings of the freedoms we celebrate in this nation.”   

The reimagined tracks are just as special, with an especially poignant moment taking place on the new version of “Almost Home,” which pairs Morgan with the golden-voiced Jelly Roll. For Jelly, the song provided a beacon of hope when he was incarcerated and inspired his artistry. “This song is full circle for me. It’s about situations you are sometimes in that you just mentally want to be somewhere else — ‘Almost Home’ — it’s something that I listened to in jail,” he shares. “Me and my cellmates could really relate to it. When I got out, I spent what little money I had and went to see Craig Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry and cried when he sang it.”    

Morgan’s duet with LeVox is another standout moment, as the pair take the classic, “That’s What I Love About Sunday” to new heights. Together, Morgan’s powerful baritone perfectly compliments LeVox’s falsetto and they turn the well-known track into a stunning, Gospel-tinged track that’s sure to induce chills as it’s mixed with “Amazing Grace.”

Shelton joins his longtime friend on an almost tropical version of “Redneck Yacht Club,” for which he appeared in the original video back in 2005. “Craig and I have been friends for many years. I’m a fan of his music and admire him as a human,” shares Shelton. “After all of these years, I still don’t understand why he still feels the need to wear that toupee, but I’m thrilled he asked me to sing with him on ‘Redneck Yacht Club.’”  

Lainey Wilson is the sole female duet partner on the album, adding her gorgeous vocals to “International Harvester,” a song she grew up on. “It’s an absolute honor to be a part of this record,” she admits. “I remember the first time I ever heard ‘International Harvester’ and the feeling I got knowing that there was music being written that felt like it was made just for me. I come from a family of farmers, so it’s really a full circle moment to be on this track alongside my good friend Craig.”  

With a mix of old and new, Craig Morgan continues to shine on his new EP, and we’re so grateful.

Enlisted Tracklist:

  1. Raise The Bar ft. Luke Combs
  2. Almost Home ft. Jelly Roll
  3. Redneck Yacht Club ft. Blake Shelton
  4. That’s What I Love About Sunday ft. Gary LeVox
  5. International Harvester ft. Lainey Wilson
  6. That Ain’t Gonna Be Me ft. Trace Adkins
Craig-morgan-enlisted

Craig Morgan shares brand new EP called ‘Enlisted,’ 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 Craig Morgan announcements and releases.

To keep up with Craig Morgan, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Enlisted 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.