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Brothers Osborne: Self-Titled Album Review

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Brothers Osborne’s brand new self-titled album is out now, September 15th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2015 with “Stay A Little Longer,” Brothers Osborne, made up of real life brothers John and TJ, have been one of country music’s most mysterious and enigmatic acts. Now, the mega-talented duo is pulling back the curtain with the release of their self-titled album, Brothers Osborne, their fourth full length on EMI Records Nashville.

For the Maryland natives, the release represents a seismic shift. They chose to move on from producer Jay Joyce, who helped craft the sound of their first three albums, to Mike Elizondo, in order to create what John describes as a “sounds first” album.

“We made a conscious decision very early on to make a hard turn into territories where we’ve never been before,” John continues. “Mike Elizondo is an avid instrument collector, specifically of guitar pedals and synthesizers, and we wanted to incorporate that. The song that bridges the gap between this album and our last is ‘Younger Me,’ which was very synth heavy. That’s the tie that binds Skeletons and the new album.”

While they dabble with new sounds on the LP, they never stray too far from their signatures: TJ’s distinct vocals and John’s incredible guitar prowess. “We’ve always had a lot of mystery intentionally around the things we have done, but with this album, we decided to be all in,” shares TJ. “And doing that reminded me of what it was like when I first started playing music, when it was an outlet for my angst or just a way to have fun.”

Of the album’s eleven new tracks, all were co-written by the brothers, who also enlisted the likes of Elizondo, Casey Beathard, Corey Crowder, Miranda Lambert, and Jessie Jo Dillon. Lambert also lends her vocals to “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up,” a steamy track about a couple who just can’t seem to quit each other. “We wanted this album to be just John and I — which is why we’re self-titling it — but Miranda’s voice is like an instrument,” TJ reveals of the decision to include her on the song. “You don’t hear a lot of female vocals on our songs, and it helped create a tone and a texture.” 

A female background vocalist also adds a special layer to “Goodbye’s Kickin’ In,” a dark and almost 70’s-rock infused immediate album highlight. With it’s groovy baseline and bluesy rock sonic profile, the track about moving on after a breakup is something special. Likewise, “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That” and “Love You Too” finds them experimenting with similarly new sounds. On “Ain’t,” there’s another hint of 70’s influence as they lyrically seize the day.

“Ain’t no time for blowing that smoke // No time for messing around // No small town talking out of both sides of your mouth // Don’t want a song that don’t turn me on…Half empty whiskey glass // Ain’t nobody got time for that”

Lyrically, much of the album centers on gratitude, optimism, and inclusion, fitting for the brothers who have experienced huge life changes as of late, with TJ coming out as gay in 2021 while John and his wife, Lucie Silvas, welcomed twins earlier this year. One such track is “Who Says You Can’t Have Everything,” a stirring and breezy mid-tempo that has a great singalong element. “If this ain’t rich then someone’s lying, If this takes money, I ain’t buying, I’m alive and kicking, laid back and living the dream,” TJ croons, his voice laced with emotion. “Who says you can’t have everything?”

“Nobody’s Nobody” is a powerful ode to inclusion, recognizing the importance of differences. “Sun goes up, sun goes down // It takes all kinds of kinds to make this world go ‘round,” they harmonize. “One thing I’ve learned out on the road is // Nobody’s nobody.”

There are also moments of levity on the album, with tracks like the alluring “New Bad Habit,” the funky “Might As Well Be Me” and the airy “Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet.” While “Sun” is a playful take on day-drinking, “Might As Well Be Me” is a driving and radio-ready up-tempo celebration of seizing the day and raising some hell.

“Somebody gotta shake things up // Somebody gotta shut things down // Somebody gotta strike a match // Break the ice and buy the first round // Somebody gotta go all night // Somebody gotta dig down deep // Mean what they say // Say what they mean // Yeah, the way I see // Might as well be me”

“Back Home” is a dreamy mid-tempo which finds the brothers longing for home while they’re out on the road. It’s a stirring and relatable moment for anyone who’s ever longed to escape a small town, but then found themselves longing for that simpler way of life. “I was living just to make it, so I was dying to escape it,” TJ muses. “It turns out there ain’t nothing in the world like being gone, to make you wanna go back home.”

The album’s closing track, “Rollercoaster (Forever and a Day)” may be one of the duo’s most sonically unique: a full-blown piano ballad with a string section. While it’s a poignant look at love and the fact that it’s not always perfect, it shows that John and TJ aren’t afraid to evolve and explore new sounds.  “It’s the most un-Brothers Osborne thing to do,” John teases. “And then we threw strings on it! We said, ‘F**k it. Whatever happens, happens.’”   

For Brothers Osborne, this LP is truly a special offering, allowing the duo to go back to their roots, while also spreading their musical wings. “This is a defining record at this point in our career, where we needed to put it all on our shoulders,” TJ says. “And we did. Like it was when we were growing up, it’s just John and me.”

Brothers Osborne Track List:

  1. Who Says You Can’t Have Everything (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard)
  2. Nobody’s Nobody (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Mike Elizondo, Kendell Marvel)
  3. Might As Well Be Me (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Corey Crowder, Julian Bunetta)
  4. Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Corey Crowder)
  5. Goodbye’s Kickin’ In (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller, Mike Elizondo)
  6. Love You Too (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure)
  7. New Bad Habit (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
  8. We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jesse Frasure, Miranda Lambert)
  9. Back Home (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Miller)
  10. Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jaren Johnston, Lee Miller)
  11. Rollercoaster (Forever And A Day) (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Jamie Hartman)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Might As Well Be Me
  2. Who Says You Can’t Have Everything 
  3. Goodbye’s Kickin’ In
  4. Rollercoaster (Forever and a Day)

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

Brothers Osborne will be hitting the stage at New York City’s Pier 17 on October 5.

To keep up with Brothers Osborne, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Brothers Osborne 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.

Here is Stephen Wilson Jr.’s Debut Album ‘søn of dad”

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Stephen Wilson Jr’s  brand new debut double album, søn of dad is out now, September 15th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Big Loud Records recording artist, Stephen Wilson Jr. is making his album debut with a double album called søn of dad. The special record features six songs from Wilson’s Bon Aqua EP, as well as, sixteen new songs that add to the singer-songwriter’s growing catalog. Inspired by his relationship with his late father and his life so far, the debut album speaks to Wilson as both an artist and as a human.

“Writing and making this album has been very therapeutic for me to learn who I am and what my existence looks like after my father. Because life has to go on,” Wilson says. “I’m living my own life, but it’s like his death bookended what life he should have had onto mine and I’m carrying it around like a train car.”

A true tribute to his dad, søn of dad is a monumental record for anyone who has every experienced a love and a loss so great. Listen to the record below!

søn of dad Track List:

  1. the devil (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
  2. Cuckoo (Stephen Wilson Jr., Travis Meadows, Jeffrey Steele)
  3. billy (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
  4. patches (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeffrey Steele)
  5. American Gothic (feat. Hailey Whitters) (Stephen Wilson Jr., Benjamin West, Hailey Whitters)
  6. Werewolf (Stephen Wilson Jr., Bryan Simpson)
  7. Mighty Beast (Stephen Wilson Jr., Ryan Necci)
  8. Year to Be Young 1994 (Stephen Wilson Jr., Benjamin West)
  9. twisted (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeremy Spillman, Connor Thuotte)
  10. Father’s Son (Stephen Wilson Jr., Josh Kerr, Nick Wayne)
  11. Grief Is Only Love (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeffrey Steele)
  12. Hang in There (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
  13. Calico Creek (Stephen Wilson Jr., Jesse Murphy, Michael Wilkes)
  14. Holler from the Holler (Stephen Wilson Jr., Craig Wiseman)
  15. Hometown (Stephen Wilson Jr., Marv Green, Tony Lane)
  16. Not Letting Go (Stephen Wilson Jr., Andrew DeRoberts)
  17. For What It’s Worth (Stephen Wilson Jr., Benjamin West)
  18. All the Wars from Now On (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
  19. kid (Stephen Wilson Jr., Lori McKenna, Benjamin West)
  20. Henry (Stephen Wilson Jr., Tony Lane)
  21. You (Stephen Wilson Jr., Bryan Simpson)
  22. The Beginning (Stephen Wilson Jr.)
Stephen-wilson-jr-album

Stephen Wilson Jr.’s new album, søn of dad 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 Stephen Wilson Jr. announcements and releases.

To keep up with Stephen Wilson Jr., follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

søn of dad 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.

dan-and-shay-save-me

Dan + Shay: Bigger Houses Album Review

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Dan + Shay’s brand new album, Bigger Houses is out now, September 15th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Ten years since “19 You + Me” skyrocketed them to stardom, Dan + Shay are back with their most impressive release to date. While Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, have admitted to nearly breaking up after their 2021 tour left them both bitter and burnt out, the pair managed to rekindle their love of music, and the result is their fifth studio LP, Bigger Houses.

All but one of the album’s twelve tracks were co-written by either (or both) Dan + Shay, with co-writers including Adam Doleac, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, ERNEST, Lori McKenna, and more. Due to this, the album is true to the singer-songwriters’ roots, with the majority of tracks falling into the late 90’s/ early ‘00s type of harmonic country that was a trademark of groups like Lonestar, Emerson Drive, and Rascal Flatts.

“Some of our records have been more pop- or hip-hop/R&B-infused,” Smyers shares, “But on this record, I wanted to make tracks that we could hop up at any bar anywhere with our live band and play the songs as they were recorded. Ultimately, this music, this whole album, is something that I’ll be able to look back on in a decade or two and be really proud of the way it turned out.”

Fiddle and slide guitar is prevalent on Bigger Houses, but never in a way that seems disingenuous. In fact, “We Should Get Married” may be one of the duo’s most true country songs, a tongue-in-cheek proposal that sashays away from their reputation as balladeers and instead takes them through a swinging, two stepper. “We should get married // Take it out to Vegas // Find a little chapel // Hire us an Elvis,” They muse, tongues firmly planted in cheek.

Likewise, “Neon Cowgirl” and “Heartbreak on the Map” continue to show the duo’s 90’s influence, channeling their inner Brooks and Dunn on “Cowgirl,” an encouragement anthem to a heartbroken girl in a bar. “Neon cowgirl, don’t you cry, don’t you know you were born to shine// Rain stops falling and hearts unbreak,” They croon “So let that cowboy ride away // It won’t be like this forever // Ain’t no storm that you can’t weather // Neon cowgirl, don’t you cry.”

Clever lyricism is a predominant theme on Bigger Houses, as Mooney and Smyers manage to put new stamps on old tropes. For example, on the summery album opener “Breakin’ Up with a Broken Heart,” the pair is moving on from a heartbreak, while “Missing Someone” puts them in the position of rebound lovers. “Save Me the Trouble” finds them imploring a girl not to let them fall in love, in order to avoid a broken heart. The track builds to a powerful bridge, Mooney’s vocals soaring into the stratosphere.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of a song that I am this one,” says Smyers of “Save Me the Trouble.” “We wanted to have something that was a real moment, and when we started writing this, it felt like it could be something big. I wanted every section to build, and even in the second chorus, when you’re like, ‘Okay, there’s no way it could possibly get any crazier,’ then Shay takes off even further.”

“From the Both of Us” is an especially beautiful and poignant moment that’s sure to be played at weddings for the rest of eternity. On the heart-swelling ballad, they promise a father to love his daughter forever. “I’m in love with your daughter // And I’ve been since the first time I saw her // I’ll ask her the question // If you give your blessing,” They harmonize. “When she takes my hand you can trust // I’ll love her enough for the both of us.”

Love and fate weave their way through songs like “Always Gonna Be,” “Then Again,” and “What Took You So Long.” While “Always Gonna Be” is a celebration of the things in life that are just meant to be, “Then Again” is like a modern day “Unanswered Prayers.” “There’s a few things I might’ve changed if God put me in charge,” Mooney muses. “Then again I would’ve never met you.”

The album’s closer and title track, “Bigger Houses” is an especially poignant moment, notably when considering that the duo almost hung up their microphones. On the stark ballad, they celebrate that life isn’t all about having the best things, and while the grass may appear greener elsewhere, that’s not what’s important.

“There’s always gonna be a higher high // You could chase for the rest of your life // Greener grass in the yard next doo r// Or a shined up Chevy little newer than yours // You’re never gonna fill an empty cup // If what you got’s still not enough // The thing about happiness I’ve found is It don’t live in bigger houses”

On Bigger Houses, Dan + Shay take listeners on a nostalgic country journey, chock full of clever lyrics, country instrumentation, and their patented harmonies and soaring vocals.

Bigger Houses Track List:

  1. Breakin’ Up With a Broken Heart – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley
  2. Save Me The Trouble – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds
  3. Heartbreak On The Map – Dan Smyers, Jimmy Robbins, Ernest Keith Smith
  4. Always Gonna Be – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds
  5. For The Both of Us – Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Jordan Reynolds
  6. Then Again – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert, Lori McKenna, Jordan Reynolds
  7. Heaven + Back – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson
  8. What Took You So Long – Dan Smyers, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, Jimmy Robbins
  9. Missing Someone – Trannie Anderson, Adam Doleac, Dylan Guthro, Gordie Sampson
  10. We Should Get Married – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Andy Albert
  11. Neon Cowgirl – Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Zach Crowell, Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley
  12. Bigger Houses – Dan Smyers, Andy Albert, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds

Country Swag Picks:

  1. We Should Get Married
  2. Always Gonna Be
  3. For the Both of Us
  4. Heartbreak on the Map
dan-+-shay-bigger-houses

Dan + Shay’s new album, ‘Bigger Houses’ 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 Dan + Shay announcements and releases

For dates and more, visit the duo’s website here.

To keep up with Dan + Shay, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Bigger Houses 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.

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Here is Alex Hall’s Debut Album ‘Side Effects Of The Heart”

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Alex Hall’s brand new album, Side Effects Of The Heart is out now, September 15th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Monument records recording artist, Alex Hall is finally releasing new music! His debut album, Side Effects Of The Heart is out now features ten songs, including a collaboration with Brandy Clark. The record truly speaks to his undeniable talent as both a singer and as a songwriter.

“I’m so excited to finally announce my debut album, Side Effects Of The Heart,” shares Hall in a recent press release. “[Thea album is] a journey of my life story and stories from others I’ve picked up along the way. Leading with my heart first, the ups and downs of love and loss and the transitions between being single, getting married and having my first child is all woven into the fabric of this record. I’m looking forward to the world getting to hear it!”

Listen to Hall’s brand new album below!

Side Effects Of The Heart Track List:

  1. Side Effects Of The Heart
  2. Women and Horses ft. Brandy Clark
  3. Her To Here
  4. I Know A Guy
  5. Denim and Diamonds
  6. Radio Waves
  7. For The Love
  8. Easy On A Heart
  9. I’m Comin’ Back
  10. Dad Now
Alex-Hall-debut-album

Alex Hall’s debut album, ‘Side Effects Of The Heart’ 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 Alex Hall announcements and releases.

To keep up with Alex Hall, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Side Effects Of The Heart 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.

Jon Langston: ‘Heart On Ice’ Debut Album Review

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Jon Langston’s new debut album, Heart On Ice is out now, September 8th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Ten years since the release of his first single, “Forever Girl,” Jon Langston has finally released his highly-anticipated debut album, Heart On Ice. While the introductory track was certified gold and he’s released other singles and EPs, this project marks his first full-length debut with 32 Bridge Entertainment/EMI Records Nashville.

Featuring fourteen new tracks, eleven of which the Georgia native co-wrote, the album allows Langston to flex his musical muscles, settling into a sound ten years in the making. “It’s like I got called up,” the former college football player admits. “Each artist has a different timing for that, but you dream of putting together a body of work that means something to you. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long… and you finally get to that point where you give it all you got.”

Heart On Ice allows Langston to look inwardly, reflective and introspective on tracks like “Granddaddy’s Watch” and “Where’s That Girl?,” while also showing off his wilder side on tracks like “Days in the 90’s”  and “I Ain’t Country” that better reflect his more raucous on-stage persona.

The aforementioned “Days in the 90’s” is a song-title-name-dropping party song that celebrates both the decade and the temperature. It’s a fun tune that, according to Langston, “feels just like the title sounds.” 

Likewise, “I Ain’t Country” features Travis Denning and is a simple ode to the fact that the duo is as country as they come. “You can say I’m just a redneck down in Tennessee // A beer drinking, country singing, SOB // Fire burning, hardworking, don’t ever quit,” They sing. “Boot wearing, Bible swearing, red clay kid // Call me what you want, think what you want of me // But you damn sure can’t say that I ain’t country”

Heartbreak is a common denominator through Heart on Ice, weaving its way through the title track, as well as songs like “Whiskey Does,” “Never Left Me,” “Where’s That Girl,” and “If You Ever Leave Atlanta.” Throughout these tracks, the singer-songwriter drowns his sorrow in the bottle (“She don’t love me anymore but whiskey does.”), attempts to move on, and finally resigns himself to being unable to visit old spots out of fear of her memory (“Let me know if you ever leave Atlanta”). Lastly, on the especially poignant “Wrong Side of the Bottle,” Langston stretches his vocal chops as he croons, “I’m trying to outrun her and outdrink a memory.”

It’s not all doom and gloom on the LP, with Langston finding unexpected new love on “Beer in a Bar” and looking forward to a bright future on “Dirt Roads & Diamonds.” He’s also ready to fight any ol’ cowboy for a woman’s love on “Ain’t No Cowboy,” while staying true to himself and the “symbol of the man I wanna be” on “Granddaddy’s Watch.”

 “My granddad was the most important person in my life,” He reveals. “He was always encouraging me, always making sure I was on the right path. And this watch reminds me to stay on that path.”

The album ends with the especially moving “May Magnolia,” a sparse and acoustic dedication to his young daughter. “We planted a magnolia tree in the yard when she was born, and every May, it starts blooming,” Langston says. “When I come home, I come down that driveway and see that magnolia tree, and that’s all I can think about on the road. It represents why I’m doing it, who I’m doing it for, and that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”

For Jon Langston, Heart on Ice may have taken awhile to get here, but it arrived at the perfect time. “This album is about putting your life on pause for reflection, healing, and growth. With each song you can find those Heart On Ice moments, whether it’s taking time for yourself with a day on the lake, or missing a loved one who reminds you of what kind of person you want to be. That’s what I did the past couple years. And that’s what I put into this album.”

Heart On Ice Track List:

  1. Heart On Ice (Nick Columbia, Jordan Gray, Jake Mitchell, Hunter Phelps)
  2. Beer In A Bar (Jon Langston, Sam Carter, Jody Stevens, Jordan Walker)
  3. I ain’t Country (Feat. Travis Denning) (Jon Langston, Brad Clawson, Jordan Rager, Brad Wagner)
  4. Whiskey Does (Jon Langston, Jordan Gray, Cole Taylor, Brad Wagner)
  5. Where’s That Girl (Jessi Alexander, Jordan Gray, Ben Hayslip)
  6. Never Left Me (Josh Dorr, Jordan Gray, Nate Jones)
  7. Dirt Roads & Diamonds (Jon Langston, Brad Clawson, Jordan Rager, Brad Wagner)
  8. Granddaddy’s Watch (Jon Langston, Jeb Gipson, Lynn Hutton)
  9. Day In The 90’s (Jon Langston, Chris Miller, Jody Stevens, Jordan Walker)
  10. Ain’t No Cowboy (Jon Langston, Jordan Gray, Brad Wagner)
  11. Better Off (Jon Langston, Jordan Gray, Nate Jones)
  12. If You Ever Leave Atlanta (Jon Langston, Brent Anderson, Lynn Hutton)
  13. Wrong Side Of The Bottle (Jon Langston, Benjy Davis, Jody Stevens, Jordan Walker)
  14. May Magnolia (Jon Langston, Jordan Fletcher, Austin Nivarel)*Produced by Jody Stevens, Jacob Rice and Brad Wagner

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Beer in a Bar
  2. Where’s That Girl
  3. Granddaddy’s Watch
  4. If You Ever Leave Atlanta
Jon-langston-debut-album

Jon Langston’s debut album, ‘Heart On Ice,’ 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 Jon Langston announcements and releases.

The singer-songwriter is currently supporting Luke Bryan on select tour dates and will headline his own tour this fall. For dates and more, visit his website here.

To keep up with Jon Langston, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Heart On Ice 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.

Ashley McBryde: ‘The Devil I Know’ Album Review

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Ashley McBryde’s brand new album, The Devil I Know is out now, September 8th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

One year ago, the talented singer-songwriter, Ashley McBryde, released Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville, a fourteen-track record about fictional characters in a fictional town. It was well-received by critics, being nominated for a GRAMMY, and showcased the Arkansas-native’s creativity. The Devil I Know is another project that embodies McBryde’s strong songwriting capabilities and her ability to capture listeners’ ears with humor, raw emotion, and vivid attention to detail. 

The album opens with the up beat “Made For This;” a reflection of the singer’s experience on the road with her band. She mentions that the alcohol and Adderall lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but when God gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity, you better take it. In the title track, the singer addresses the criticisms she often receives from her peers. She shrugs off these stamps of disapproval, knowing that there’s evil everywhere you turn, so you might as well stick with the ones that are familiar. The first chorus is McBryde’s demo version, which is followed by a rocking transition with heavy electric guitar and percussion. 

“Momma says, get my ass to church // Daddy says, get my ass to work // Doctor says I gotta give up on these smokes // Everybody’s got something to say // About how I gotta change my ways // But I got something to say of my own // Hell, there’s hell everywhere I go // I’m just sticking with the devil I know”

“Light On In The Kitchen” is McBryde’s fastest rising single of her career thus far, currently approaching the top 25. Written with Connie Harrington and Jessi Alexander, the lyrics are inspired by the life lessons she received from her mother when she was young. The sentimental, black-and-white music video was shot in her childhood home and features old, grainy videos from her past. 

“Honey, trust yourself // You better love yourself // ‘Cause ’til you do you ain’t no good for anybody else // And honey, boys are dumb // But you’re gonna to find you one // Love him hard, bless your heart // When you need someone to listen // That’s why I leave the light on in the kitchen”

“Single At The Same Time” is a classic “right person, wrong time” story. Although she is happy with the life she has now, she continues to wonder what could’ve been. “Learned To Lie” is another vulnerable song in which the singer reflects on her past, recalling all the lies her parents told each other. She wishes that was one trait she didn’t pick up and master. This track ends with an electric and powerful guitar solo.   

“I, I learned to cry // Quietly, I learned to pray // Silently, inside a house where the Devil played // And I, hate that it runs in my blood // I hate how easy it comes // I wish I’d learned how to love the same way I // learned to Lie”

A country record is incomplete without some drinking songs. “Cool Little Bars” is an ode to those ‘hole-in-wall’ dives that provide a safe space for common folk with broken hearts. Fellow country star, Lainey Wilson, co-wrote this track with McBryde. “Whiskey and Country Music” is showered with keys, steel guitar, and simple percussion. The singer admits she’s tried everything from meditation to medication, but nothing takes the edge off like whiskey and classic country music when she’s getting over a relationship. 

“Just pass me a bottle, and I won’t refuse it // Put Patsy on vinyl, and good lord, I lose it”

The two songs with “whiskey” in the title are very different in both sound and subject matter. “Women Ain’t Whiskey” is targeted at the men who disrespect women. The singer is sick and tired of feeling like 80 proof alcohol—only hit up when the other is lonely, and moving on once the bottle is empty. 

The album ends with the rocking “Blackout Betty” and the easy-going “6th of October.” In the former, it seems like the singer is giving advice to this woman named Betty who continues to make irresponsible decisions. After the second chorus, the listeners realize “Blackout Betty” is just the singer’s drunk alter-ego; perhaps a play-on Ram Jam’s top-20 hit, “Black Betty.” The latter is a much simpler melody over an acoustic guitar where the singer reminds listeners to go with the flow, embrace their past, and be proud of who you are. 

McBryde has certainly solidified herself as one of Nashville’s most notable and exciting artists. Her journey to stardom has been marked by perseverance and a deep commitment to her craft. Whether she’s depicting a true tale, or one completely fabricated, she tells it with such passion that is personal not only to her, but to her audience of all types country music fans. 

The Devil I Know Track List:

  1. Made for This (Ashley McBryde and Travis Meadows)
  2. Coldest Beer in Town (McBryde, Autumn McEntire and Nicolette Hayford)
  3. Light on in the Kitchen (McBryde, Jessi Alexander and Connie Harrington)
  4. Women Ain’t Whiskey (McBryde, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite and Chris LaCorte)
  5. Learned to Lie (McBryde, Hayford and Sean McConnell)
  6. The Devil I Know (McBryde, Jeremy Stover and Bobby Pinson)
  7. Single at the Same Time (McBryde, Benjy Davis and Andy Albert)
  8. Cool Little Bars (McBryde, Trick Savage and Lainey Wilson)
  9. Whiskey and Country Music (McBryde, John Osborne and Lee Thomas Miller)
  10. Blackout Betty (McBryde, Aaron Raitiere and Hayford)
  11. 6th of October (McBryde, Blue Foley and CJ Field)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Made For This
  2. The Devil I Know
  3. Blackout Betty
Ashley-mcbryde-album

Ashley McBryde’s new album ‘The Devil I Know,” 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 Ashley McBryde announcements and releases.

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

The Devil I Know 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.

Larry Fleet: ‘Earned It’ Album Review

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Larry Fleet’s brand new album, Earned It is out now, September 1st on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Larry Fleet is one of the most humble and authentic entertainers in country music right now. The singer-songwriter has a knack for singing his truth, writing relatable stories, and creating true-blue country songs that fans will want to listen to again and again. His brand new album, Earned It showcases all of it. With 21 songs, Fleet leads his listeners through a journey of gratitude for his roots, a humble appreciation for the successes and the pain points, and a steadiness in knowing that hard work can build dreams.

“I love getting to play music and write songs, but there are still days when I ride by a job site and see some ol’ boy on an excavator and I’m like, ‘Man, I remember that,’” Fleet shares in a recent press release. “You work hard every day. You build something with your hands, and when you’re done you’ve got something to look at and you’re proud of that.”

The record kicks off with the title track, which sets the tone for the rest of the project. On “Earned It,” Fleet leans into the blue-collar lifestyle, bringing the stories to life on the track and teaching us lessons throughout the song. He encourages everyone to be the best that they can be and appreciate the simplicities that life affords us. While the song is lyrical poignant, the fun-loving instrumentals add to the already incredible single.

“Buddy, I earned it // Damn right it was worth it // And I’ll do it all over again even if I’m hurtin’ // Oh, at the end of the day // I get to watch my children play // I’m satisfied with my simple life // ‘Cause, buddy, I earned it”

Fleet continues to highlight the blue-collar lifestyle and that “built not bought” attitude throughout the record. Songs like “25-8,” “Where There’s A Willie” and “Muddy Water,” bring nostalgia to the forefront of our hearts. Each of the three songs pay homage to the small-town lifestyle and show gratitude for the mistakes and failures too in different and enticing ways.

Many songs off the record also touch on the themes of settling down and putting roots down. On “Two Beer Plan,” listeners get to hear a love story unfold and work longterm after a couple of drinks at the bar. The story is heartwarming and poetic in nature. Similarly, on “Angels Were Gone,” Fleet likens his wife to an angel for all she does and all she is. On “Layaway,” fans get to hear all about the process of actually putting down roots.

Fleet expresses love again on both “Taking The Long Way,” an uptempo jam that we cannot get enough of, and again on “Tennessee On You.” On the latter, the singer weaves us through a budding new love story that feels hopeful, eclectic, and flirty. The song is one of the several places that you can see Fleet’s Otis Redding influences touch.

The blossoming superstar’s love for Rock ‘N’ Roll music is also evident on the project. While the uptempo songs are a dead giveaway for the inspiration from that genre, one of our favorite songs off the project, “Devil Music,” is more on the nose. On the track, Fleet expresses growing up listening to the genre and the story that unfolded throughout his life. Although not penned by the singer, it feels like the story could have come from his own life adding to the likability of the track.

Another theme that is evident throughout the entire project is lessons learned. On track two, “Lucky Dog,” Fleet laments about a break-up, singing lyrics like, “My whole world just drove away.” Though the lyrics are melancholy, the uptempo instrumentals and the “hats off” to the other guy mentality make the song both likable and catchy. On “Something He’d Say,” Fleet urges us all to be mindful about what we deserve. A lyrically-prolific song, the track is a reminder that we all get to be treated with love and respect.

While each and every song has a flavor of teachable moments woven in, the last three songs off the record really bring it home on the project. Beginning with “Grow,” arguably one of the best songs on the project, Fleet reminds us all to relish in each stage of life because it is all a growing edge and learning curve. Similar to the feel of songs like “Buy Dirt” by Jordan Davis and “A ROCK” by HARDY, “Grow” is a perfect example of real storytelling country music.

On “Daddy Don’t Drink,” written by Fleet with Derek Bahr and Luke Laird, the singer opens up about becoming a father and all that he has done and will continue to do for his family, including giving up vices in favor of being a role model.

With that being said, the final song on the project, “Young Buck,” turns nostalgic memories about being an outdoorsman into lessons about being present in life. The song feels like the heartbeat of the record in the most poignant of ways.

Earned It is a cohesive body of work that makes us all think, feel, love, enjoy, and relish, something we believe that Fleet intended for his fans and listeners. Fleet has definitely emerged as a mainstay in country music with this album officially sealing his fate and much-deserved place in the genre.

Earned It Track List:

  1. Earned It (Larry Fleet, Connie Rae Harrington)
  2. Lucky Dog (Zach Abend, Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy)
  3. Ain’t Mad At Jesus (Larry Fleet, Josh Miller, Jake Mitchell)
  4. 25-8 (Casey Beathard, Nicolette Hayford, Jim Wolf)
  5. Things I Take For Granted (Larry Fleet, Rocky Block, Jordan Dozzi, Brett Tyler)
  6. Lord Willing (Larry Fleet, Will Bundy, Brett Tyler)
  7. Two Beer Plan (Larry Fleet, Thomas Archer, Ryan Beaver, Mark Holman)
  8. Taking The Long Way (Larry Fleet, Will Bundy, Brett Tyler)
  9. Something He’d Say (Larry Fleet, Josh Thompson, Jake Mitchell)
  10. Beer Needs A Beer (Larry Fleet, Brett Tyler, Logan Wall)
  11. There’s A Waylon (Steve Moakler, Joseph Patton, Logan Wall)
  12. Angels Were Gone (Rodney Clawson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Joybeth Taylor)
  13. Try Texas (Jake Mitchell, Larry Fleet, James McNair)
  14. Tennessee On You (Rocky Block, John Byron, Jacob Durrett, Ashley Gorley)
  15. Muddy Water (Larry Fleet, Jesse Frasure, Brett Tyler)
  16. Devil Music (Jessie Jo Dillon, Neil Mason, Brett Tyler)
  17. Layaway (Larry Fleet, Mark Trussell, Josh Miller)
  18. Much To Talk About (Tommy Cecil, Jordan Dozzi, Craig Wiseman)
  19. Grow (Rodney Clawson, Josh Miller, Dallas Wilson)
  20. Daddy Don’t Drink (Larry Fleet, Derek Bahr, Luke Laird)
  21. Young Buck (Andy Albert, John Byron, Devin Dawson, Jacob Durrett)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Grow”
  2. “Two Beer Plan”
  3. “Earned It”
  4. “Devil Music”
  5. “Taking The Long Way”
  6. “Something He’d Say”
larry-fleet-earned-it

Larry Fleet shares brand new album, ‘Earned It,’ 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 Larry Fleet announcements and releases.

To keep up with Larry Fleet follow Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Earned It 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.

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Here is Tim McGraw’s Album ‘Standing Room Only’

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Tim McGraw’s brand new album, Standing Room Only is out now, August 25th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Country superstar, Tim McGraw is an absolute legend in the genre. Today, the singer releases his seventeenth studio album called, Standing Room Only. With thirteen brand new songs written by incredible songwriters like Ryan Larkins, Lori McKenna, Chase McGill, and more.

According to McGraw in a recent press release, “As an artist, I always want to dig deeper and get better every time I make a new record – it’s a big part of what drives me, and I really believe this is one of the best projects we’ve made. I’ve been working on this album since 2020, and this collection of songs are some of the most emotional, thought-provoking, and life-affirming music I’ve ever recorded.”

Make sure to check out the Standing Room Only album and listen below!

Standing Room Only Track List:

  1. “Hold On To It” (Written by Ryan Larkins, Seth Mosley, Jimmy Yeary)
  2. “Standing Room Only” (Written by Tommy Cecil, Patrick Murphy, Craig Wiseman)
  3. “Paper Umbrellas” (Written by Monty Criswell, Drake Milligan)
  4. “Remember Me Well” (Written by Heather Morgan, Jimmy Robbins)
  5. “Hey Whiskey” (Written by Brad Hutsell, Joel Hutsell, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
  6. “Her” (Written by Jason Gantt, Tim Nichols, Jimmy Yeary)
  7. “Fool Me Again” (Written by Kameron Marlowe, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Rob Williford)
  8. “Small Town King” (Written by Jaren Johnston, Jenn Schott, Jeremy Stover)
  9. “Beautiful Hurricane” (Written by Mike Lane, Tony Lane)
  10. “Cowboy Junkie” (Written by Bill Luther, Lance Miller, Justin Weaver)
  11. “Nashville CA/L.A. Tennessee (Featuring Lori McKenna)” (Written by Tim McGraw, Lori McKenna, Bob Minner)
  12. “Some Songs Change Your World” (Written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Lance Miller)
  13. “Letter From Heaven” (Written by Chase McGill, Lori McKenna, Parker Welling)
Tim-mcgraw-album

Tim McGraw’s new album, ‘Standing Room Only,’ 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 Tim McGraw announcements and releases.

To keep up with Tim McGraw, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Standing Room Only 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.

Morgan-wade-psychopath

Morgan Wade: ‘PSYCHOPATH’ Album Review

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Morgan Wade’s brand new album, PSYCHOPATH is out now, August 25th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Morgan Wade was one of country music’s top breakout stars in 2021 when she released her debut album, Reckless, with Thirty Tigers. The album proved to be successful, selling over 3,000 copies its first week. Its lead single, “Wilder Days” reached the top 30 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. Covering subjects of sobriety, mental health, and past relationships, the record was critically acclaimed for its raw and authentic story telling—Rolling Stone even named it the Best Country Album of the year. Psychopath follows suit. From top to bottom, these songs are unique and real, and while personal to the Virginia-native, it can relate to a variety of listeners on many different levels.

“When I started working on Psychopath I was nervous (still am) about following such a ‘critically-acclaimed’ album. But as I sit here and listen to this art that Sadler and I created (again), I am proud,” Wade humbly stated in a recent press release. “This record shows where I have been since Reckless, and where I’m at now.”

This album’s main themes are overcoming early hardship and experiencing true love. Wade released the title track in May—a mostly stripped-down love story about how two people can love each other through the good, bad, and wild times. The beachy sounding “Fall In Love With Me” was also previously released, and features the protagonist trying to woo her crush. The comical music video features Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Kyle Richards. 

The project kicks off with the upbeat yet vulnerable “Domino.” The singer paints a vivid picture of her current well-being with the creative, yet grim line “My roses are dead, all my pills are blue. The house is a wreck; my head is, too.” However, she is grateful she has someone in her life she can lean on for support.

“80s Movie” and “Want” touch on desires of love. In the former, Wade refers to popular films of the decade including Grease, Dirty Dancing, and When Harry Met Sally. The music video has the singer sporting the vest Michael J. Fox’s character, Marty McFly made popular in Back To The Future. The latter is a slow, seductive piano-driven ballad where she doesn’t shy away from her strong feelings for this person.

“Phantom Feelings” and “Outrun Me” both feature popular songwriters—Julia Michaels, and Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna, respectively. While “Phantom Feelings” is a melancholy story of someone who can’t get over their latest love interest, “Outrun Me” is told from the perspective of someone who is okay with the breakup but knows the other will regret walking away.  

In “Losers Like Me” and “Meet Somebody” Wade channels her rock n’ roll influence. Backed by heavy electric guitar, the former sounds like it could be a Joan Jett cut. The protagonist expresses her frustration at not being able to find any good candidates to have a stable relationship with. In front a pounding bass, the singer in “Losers Like Me” described the big plans she had when she was 16. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out in her favor, and now the “losers” she passes in the street look just like her—alone.

“We said we wouldn’t get jobs and we’d burn our bras // We wouldn’t turn out nothing like our moms // I didn’t, but I wish I did”

Speaking of rockstars, tracks 5 and 6 share the name of rock legends. “Guns and Roses” is a dramatic ballad that touches on the unpredictability of relationships.” “Alanis” is an ode to the “Ironic” singer. She admires the passion and truth in her music and her ability to ignore what other people think of her. Wade admits it was her influence that helped her “be brave and keep the demons away.”

The album’s closer, “27 Club,” is by far the heaviest and most real. The singer speaks of her fragile mental health issues. The darkest line is in the third verse, “And some nights when I’m feeling suicidal, I could reach for the gun, I could reach for the bottle, but it’s great. At least now I’m getting paid.” Drugs, alcohol, or money can’t distract her from the dastardly voices in her head. Two verses later, she name-drops her hit “Wilder Days,” stating it’s the only reason why this “Beverly Hills hottie” is giving her the time of day. 

They say that your second album is the toughest to craft, especially when your first is such an overwhelming success. The second album is the true test of the artist’s ability and could potentially determine the direction of the artist’s career. Morgan Wade’s Psychopath did not disappoint, and we suspect this young talent to be a strong, female voice to be reckoned with in the industry for a long, long time.

“Regardless of what people say about Psychopath, I’m proud because I feel like it showcases where I am at this moment in time,” Wade confessed. “I have no choice but to be authentic. And I have to feel what I feel. And right now, I’m really feeling the music. I hope you can feel my authenticity and that you can get something out of this project.”

PSYCHOPATH Track List:

  1. Domino (Morgan Wade/Ashley Monroe/Sadler Vaden/Butch Walker)
  2. 80’s Movie (Morgan Wade/Sadler Vaden)
  3. Losers Look Like Me (Morgan Wade)
  4. Roman Candle (Morgan Wade)
  5. Guns and Roses (Morgan Wade/Natalie Hemby/Sadler Vaden)
  6. Alanis (Morgan Wade/Natalie Hemby/Sadler Vaden)
  7. Phantom Feelings (Morgan Wade/Julia Michaels/Ben Rice)
  8. Psychopath (Morgan Wade)
  9. Outrun Me (Morgan Wade/Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose/Sadler Vaden)
  10. Want (Morgan Wade/Ashley Monroe/Angaleena Presley)
  11. Fall In Love With Me (Morgan Wade)
  12. Meet Somebody (Morgan Wade/Sadler Vaden)
  13. 27 Club (Morgan Wade)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Losers Like Me
  2. Meet Somebody
  3. 27 Club
  4. Alanis
Morgan-wade-psychopath

Morgan Wade shares brand new album, ‘PSYCHOPATH,’ 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 Morgan Wade announcements and releases.

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

PSYCHOPATH 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.

zach-bryan-best-songs

Here is Zach Bryan’s Brand New Self-Titled Album

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Zach Bryan’s brand new self-titled album is out now, August 25th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

One of country music’s fastest rising superstars, Zach Bryan is releasing his highly anticipated sophomore album. The self-titled project is officially out now. Full of sixteen songs, including killer collaborations with artists like War and Treaty, Sierra Ferrell, Kacey Musgraves, and The Lumineers, the album leaves fans hanging on to each and every track.

“Really proud to call the writing and production on somethin’ all mine,” Bryan shared on social media. “Thank y’all for your patience, I didn’t make this album to appease people who will never be happy anyways, I made it for my people, hope everyone has a good weekend.”

Zach Bryan’s self-titled album is a must-listen to. Checkout all the new songs and listen below!

Zach Bryan Track List:

  1. Fear & Friday’s (poem)
  2. Overtime
  3. Summertime’s Close
  4. East Side of Sorrow
  5. Hey Driver (ft. War and Treaty)
  6. Fear and Friday’s
  7. Ticking
  8. Holy Roller (ft. Sierra Ferrell)
  9. Jake’s Piano/ Long Island
  10. El Dorado
  11. I Remember Everything (ft. Kacey Musgraves)
  12. Tourniquet
  13. Spotless (ft. The Lumineers)
  14. Tradesman
  15. Smaller Acts
  16. Oklahoma Son
zach-bryan-self-titled

Zach Bryan’s self-titled album 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 Zach Bryan announcements and releases.

To keep up with Zach Bryan, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Zach Bryan 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.