First Impression Archives

Restless Road: ‘Last Rodeo’ – Album Review

October 20, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Restless Road shares their new album, Last Rodeo, out now, October 20th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

With three unique voices and an uncanny ability to harmonize as one, Restless Road is ready to make a splash with their debut album, Last Rodeo, out now. For the trio, who signed to Kane Brown’s joint venture with Sony Music Nashville, the album marks over a decade of hard work and dedication to their craft.

Featuring 18 tracks, the LP is a mix of previous releases paired with all new songs, many of which were co-written by members of the band. Other co-writers here include the likes of Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Cole Swindell, and Devin Dawson, allowing the trio to compile a solid body of work that is sure to make their mark on country music.

“If you would have told us a few years ago that we would be where we are today we wouldn’t have believed you,” revealed Restless Road in a statement. “We’ve been through so many ups and downs as a band, and that’s what this is about. Never giving up and always keeping your eyes on the road. It’s about believing in yourself even when people tell you no, and persevering until your dreams become a reality. And that’s why the three of us are so excited for the biggest thing we’ve done yet.”

Composed of Zach Beeken, Colton Pack and Garrett Nichols, Restless Road has become best known for their thrilling harmonies, evidenced throughout the album, from the opening chords of the titular track to the final notes of the introspective and poignant album closer, “On My Way.”

Throughout the LP, Restless Roads takes listeners on a journey that often includes heartbreak and heartache, paired with new love and introspection. There are lighter moments in the form of the singalong anthem “Bar Friends” and the amusing ode to an adult beverage, “No Can Do.”

Immediate standouts include the wedding-reception/proposal-ready “Growing Old With You,” co-penned by Kelley, and the pop-country banger, “Sundown Somewhere,” co-penned by Swindell. On the earworm of a track, the trio wax poetic about the one that they know is somewhere out there, waiting for their paths to cross. Alternately, on “Growing Old,” the one has been found and forever is the next logical step.

“What you say we put us down some roots? // Find a house up on a hill // Travel ’round the world // Put some pictures on the shelf // Hold you close and keep the faith // Raise some kids with our last name // Well, come on baby what you say we do? // I feel like growing old with you // I’m growing old with you”

The trio spend a lot of time on the one who got away, promising eternal love to an extinguished flame on the guitar-heavy “Tell Me Not To,” while also warning their younger selves to keep moving and not get involved on the fiddle and steel laden ode to hindsight, “Leave Your Boots On.” On “Go Get Her,” they’re poised to fight for lost love, warning, “Boy swallow your pride like whiskey, Don’t let her fade into a memory, ‘Cause oh there ain’t there that many one in a million, so if you know she’s your forever, won’t forget her, boy you better, go get her.” Meanwhile, “Easy for You to Say” allows them to flex their vocals over guitar-driven country, musing “Goodbye wouldn’t be so hard // If it wasn’t so easy for you to say.”

Things are sunnier on “Head Over Heels,” a fast-paced up-tempo about love at first sight and “I Don’t Wanna Be That Guy,” a declaration of a reformed ladies man who’s ready to settle down for someone special.

“Could’ve Been a Love Song” is a punchy up-tempo about a relationship that went wrong, becoming a sad song despite having the makings of a love song. “We could’ve been a love song, If we’d have just held on, instead of the sad one that I”m singing right now, I wish that I had one that would turn you around,” They sing. “We could’ve been a long kiss, Girl we had it at our fingertips, We could’ve had it all, We knew it all along, Tell me where we went wrong, Girl we could’ve been a love song.”

Likewise, clever lyrics are the cornerstone of both “10 Things” and “Roll Tide Roll,” with the former being an amusing kiss-off to an ex as they list off all the “things I hate about you.” For those wondering, the list includes lipstick, red wine, palm trees, polaroids, card games, watching true crime, drunk text, and rainchecks. Meanwhile, on the more serious “Roll Tide,” the trio document love gone wrong with a ‘Bama girl, musing “’Cause I got ‘Bama on my mind, Even here in Mexico, Oh why Oh why, did my roll tide roll?”

Throughout the album, Restless Road manage to combine unique lyrics, powerful harmonies, and unique instrumentation in a way that’s uniquely their own. In fact, on their Instagram account, Restless Road’s bio proclaims them to be “your new favorite country band,” and after the release of Last Rodeo, that is very likely to be true.

Last Rodeo Tracklist:

Last Rodeo (Trannie Anderson/Lindsay Rimes/Garrett Nichols/Zach Beeken/Colton Pack)
Head Over Heels (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Jacob Rice/Kyle Sturrock)
Growing Old With You (Charles Kelley/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds)
Could’ve Been a Love Song (Zach Crowell/Ben Hayslip/Hunter Phelps)
Roll Tide Roll (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Kyle Sturrock)
Bar Friends (Geoff Warburton/Jordan Schmidt/Kyle Clark/Tyler Filmore)
Tell Me Not To (Zach Beeken/Emma-Lee/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack)
Go Get Her (Josh Jenkins/Brice Long/Mark Nesler)
I Don’t Wanna Be That Guy (Colton Pack/Garrett Nichols/Zach Beeken/Jared Keim/Travis Wood)
10 Things (Zach Beeken/Devin Dawson/Jared Keim/Garrett Nichols)
Leave Them Boots On (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Jonathan Smith)
Easy for You to Say (Zach Beeken/Josh Kear/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Lindsay Rimes)
You Don’t Have to Love Me (Austin Shawn/Zach Beeken/Nate Kenyon/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack)
No Can Do (Jessi Alexander/Zach Beeken/Matt Jenkins/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Jacob Rice)
That Town and You (Ben Burgess/Devin Dawson/Joshua Kerr/Jordan Reynolds)
Most Nights (ft. Erin Kinsey) (Zach Beeken/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/John Pierce/Lindsay Rimes)
Sundown Somewhere (Ben Hayslip/Jacob Rice/Cole Swindell/Cole Taylor)
On My Way (Zach Beeken/Kyle Clark/Garrett Nichols/Colton Pack/Lindsay Rimes)

Country Swag Picks:

Growing Old With You
Bar Friends
Sundown Somewhere
Roll Tide Roll
10 Things
Easy for You to Say

Restless Road shares brand new album, ‘Last Rodeo,’ 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 Restless Road announcements and releases.

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

Last Rodeo 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.

Here Is Luke Grimes EP ‘Pain Pills Or Pews’

October 20, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Luke Grimes shares his new EP, Pain Pills Or Pews, out now, October 20th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the hit television series, Yellowstone, Luke Grimes is stepping out as country music artist. Although he has been making music for years, Pain Pills Or Pews marks his first major label EP.

The singer humbly announced the record on his Instagram, “I don’t deserve this. Full stop. Yet, here it is, I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped me get here. A dream of putting music out in the world and getting to share it live is now something of a reality. Thank you for listening and showing up.” The new EP is comprised of eight songs that speak to Grimes’ incredible talent, including previously released song with Foy Vance called “Hold On.”

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

Pain Pills Or Pews Tracklist:

No Horse To Ride (Luke Grimes)
Hold On (Foy Vance)
Ghost Of Who We Were (Luke Grimes)
Where It’s Blue (Colton Venner)
Burn (Luke Grimes)
Playing On The Tracks (Luke Grimes)
Oh Ohio (Luke Grimes)
Ain’t Dead Yet (Luke Grimes)

Luke Grimes shares new EP, ‘Pain Pills Or Pews,’ 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 Luke Grimes announcements and releases.

To keep up with Luke Grimes, follow him on Instagram, and Facebook.

Pain Pills Or Pews 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.

James Barker Band: ‘Ahead Of Our Time’ – Debut EP Review

October 20, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

James Barker Band makes their major-label debut with their new EP, Ahead Of Our Time, out now, October 20th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

After years of making a name for themselves across Canada, James Barker Band is about to make their U.S. debut. In partnership with RECORDS Nashville, the quartet released their EP, Ahead Of Our Time, out now. Featuring six new tracks, five of which were co-written by Barker, the EP is the perfect way to introduce themselves to a whole new audience.

Comprised of James Barker (lead vocals/guitar), Taylor Abram (guitar/background vocals), Connor Stephen (drums), and Bobby Martin (bass), the foursome combine their Canadian roots with witty lyricism and pop-country sensibilities, as evidenced on tracks like the EP opener “Step On His Boots” and the tongue-in-cheek ode to moving on after a breakup, “Champagne.”

The EP’s title track is an immediate standout, a stirring and building ballad that swells over lyrics about a couple that met before they were ready for each other. It’s a quintessential what-could’ve-been ballad that everyone can relate to, and it offers a poignant moment of both reflection and introspection.

“Too young, too fast, too wild and free // To pay attention to the what if it was meant to be // A taste of heaven was a hell of a ride // I’d be lyin’ if I didn’t say // I Get to wonderin’ if you’re wonderin’ what could have been // If we’d have finished what we started on way back when // If we’d have met now, would it have been right // Maybe we were just ahead, ahead of our time // Ahead of our time”

Meanwhile, “Meet Your Mama” finds Barker wondering if it’s too soon to see where a special girl grew up, admitting that he knows it’s been only six months, but he’s ready to see her hometown and where she’s been all his life. Likewise, “Step On His Boots” has him ready to be Mr.-Steal-Your-Girl, musing, “I don’t see no ring weighing down your left hand.”

The album’s lone party song is the only one not co-written by Barker: “On the Water.” Featuring Dalton Dover, the lighter track finds the quartet desperate to escape the 9-5 grind in favor of some salt life in the sun. “I need a day on the water,” They sing. “‘fore I up and lose my mind.” Meanwhile, “Champagne” finds Barker moving on “with a ten in a Tennessee T-shirt” and “sippin’ whiskey like it’s champagne.”

The EP ends with “Heartbeat,” a true country ode to love at first sight, laden with slide guitars over a catchy and airy melody. It’s the epitome of “when you know, you know,” as the band proclaims an instant connection, declaring “You had me in a heartbeat.”

On Ahead Of Our Time, James Barker Band shows why they’ve become megastars in Canada and serves as a perfect introduction to new fans everywhere.

Ahead Of Our Time Tracklist:

Step On His Boots (James Barker, Travis Wood, John Byron, Blake Pendergrass)
Ahead of Our Time (James Barker, Jake Rose)
Champagne (James Barker, Rodney Clawson, Travis Wood)
Meet Your Mama (James Barker, Travis Wood, Gavin Slate, Todd Clark)
On the Water ft. Dalton Dover (Jordan Minton, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson)
Heartbeat (James Barker, Travis Wood, Gavin Slate, Todd Clark

Country Swag Picks:

Ahead of Our Time
Heartbeat
Meet Your Mama

James Barker Band makes major-label debut with their new EP, ‘Ahead Of Our Time.’

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

To keep up with James Barker Band, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Ahead Of Our Time 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.

Here is Craig Morgan’s New EP ‘Enlisted’

October 20, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

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

In his brand new EP, Craig Morgan reimagines his hit songs enlisting the help of six incredible country artists. On the new record, perfectly-titled, Enlisted, Morgan collaborates with artists like Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, and Lainey Wilson, breathing new life into his songs.

“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 singer. Morgan also shared, “There’s something to be said about singing a song that the majority of our populace wants to be able to relate to, or can relate to,” he says. “And that’s what great country does; I believe.”

Check-out the new EP below and listen to the new versions of the songs.

Enlisted Tracklist:

Raise The Bar ft. Luke Combs
Almost Home ft. Jelly Roll
Redneck Yacht Club ft. Blake Shelton
That’s What I Love About Sunday ft. Gary LeVox
International Harvester ft. Lainey Wilson
That Ain’t Gonna Be Me ft. Trace Adkins

Craig Morgan’s new EP, ‘Enlisted’ 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 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.

Nicolle Galyon: ‘second wife’ – EP Review

October 16, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Nicolle Galyon shares her new EP, second wife, out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

According to tradition, the gift for a 16th wedding anniversary is wax. However, songwriter Nicolle Galyon has never been traditional, celebrating instead with a surprise EP, entitled second wife, out now. Featuring six new tracks co-written with her songwriter husband Rodney Clawson, the collection celebrates the life the pair have built together.

“second wife shows the side of me that is flawed, self-deprecating, understated, silly, and yet unconventionally traditional. The side of me that fell in love at 21. That’s a side of me that I don’t always show — the married one,” Galyon shares. “If firstborn was a memoir, second wife is more of a fun adventure in real time. The thing about second wife is even the title itself is imperfect. That’s probably my favorite thing about being one. The illusions (and delusions) I had as a firstborn were gone once I became one.”

Recorded over a weekend with co-producers Jimmy Robbins and King Henry, the collection takes listeners on a journey through married life with Galyon and Clawson, which she describes as “imperfect, honest and kind of irreverent.”

It begins with the one-two punch of “jo” and “prenup,” the first a short and sweet ode to her mother-in-law who shaped Clawson into the man he is today. The second is a toe-tapping up-tempo that’s as tongue-in-cheek as they come, the pair trading verses about all of the not-so-great things that they’d have to split in a divorce, finally agreeing that “If you keep looking at me that way, I think we’ll be okay.”

“rooms” is an immediate standout, a confessional ballad which finds Galyon dealing with unwelcome whispers and anxieties as she walks into various metaphorical rooms alongside Clawson. She may be dealing with other’s opinions, but with Clawson by her side, she’s able to remind herself that she’s the one with him. “Head up high and bite my tongue, Find a bar and order two,” She sings. “Hey f*ck them all, ‘Cause I’m the one, walking into rooms with you.”

“texas hold ‘em” is another immediate favorite, a single-worthy uptempo that allows Galyon to show her more playful and lighthearted side. Here, she uses her witty lyrics to warn any woman with a man in their life from Texas.

“You gotta hold ’em like you mean it // Hold ’em when you’re drunk // Hold ’em like his ex-girlfriend walked up // Hold ’em like a diamond fallin’ out your necklace // ‘Cause if you’re messin’ with one from Texas // You gotta hold ’em like you’re lonesome // Like he’s a Friday 5 o’clock cold one // Play like you ain’t gonna lose him to no one // Kinda hold ’em”

Both “the grain” and “under the rainbow” are dialed down tracks, celebrating Galyon’s home state of Kansas, with “the grain” acting as a love letter to her hometown. Meanwhile, “under the rainbow” takes the familiar melody of “Over the Rainbow” and reimagines it to a celebration of the simpler things in life.

On second wife, Nicolle Galyon does what she does best. The project is a tongue-in-cheek confessional on love, life, and marriage, and while an EP may not be a typical anniversary celebration, it’s absolutely perfect for Galyon and Clawson.

second wife Tracklist:

jo. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
prenup. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
the grain. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
rooms. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
texas hold ’em. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
under the rainbow. (Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg)

Country Swag Picks:

rooms
texas hold ‘em
prenup

Nicolle Galyon shares brand new ep, ‘second wife,’ 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 Nicolle Galyon announcements and releases.

To keep up with Nicolle Galyon, you can find her on Instagram here.

second wife 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.

Riley Green: ‘Ain’t My Last Rodeo’ Album Review

October 13, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Riley Green’s brand new album, Ain’t My Last Rodeo is out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Best known for his no-nonsense brand of straightforward country, Riley Green is back with his sophomore album, Ain’t My Last Rodeo, out now. For the Alabama native, the album marks his first full-length since 2019’s Different ‘Round Here and the follow up to 2021’s Behind the Bar EP.

Green co-wrote all but one song on the LP, an album-opening cover of Tim McGraw’s 2015 ballad, “Damn Country Music,” which chronicles the sacrifices made in pursuit of a dream. While maybe not written by Green, the track fits in perfectly here, as he finds himself battling with his dreams and demons, while remaining true to himself.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up within about three miles of my grandparents, so they were a huge part of my growing up and who I am—and this album is a lot of who I am,” shares the BMLG Records artist. “This is really the first time I was able to really take my time, write and record songs that really felt like a cohesive album—I’m really proud of it and want to thank the fans for all of their encouragement—I hope y’all enjoy it.”

Throughout Ain’t My Last Rodeo, Green stays true to who he is as an artist, producing solid, straight-shooting country songs. “My Last Rodeo” is an immediate standout, telling listeners everything they need to know about Green. The singer-songwriter penned the poignant and heartfelt track solo following one of his last conversations with his late grandfather.

“This ain’t my last rodeo // No it’s just time for this old man to get this show on the road // When life throws you off your saddle // Don’t mean you lost the battle // Just climb back up and turn another rope // The good Lord might want to call this cowboy home // But this ain’t my last rodeo”

Green’s country boy sensibilities are a common theme of the album, weaving through tracks like “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More,” “Ain’t Like I Can Hide It,” and “Raised Up Right.”

On “They Don’t Make ‘Em,” he laments how things were better in the olden days, proclaiming, “And this worn out pair of boots that my daddy wore, Well, they don’t make ’em like that no more.” Meanwhile, “Raised Up Right” is a catchy midtempo that extolls the values with which he was brought up. “Raised up right like my Momma’s hands in Sunday mornin’ church // Raised up right like my Daddy’s can of beer right after work // Like the flag over the court house every mornin’ at sunrise // I was raised up right.”

The collaborations on the LP follow similar suit, with Luke Combs lending his voice to a reimagined take on “Different ‘Round Here” and Jelly Roll appearing on “Copenhagen in a Cadillac.” While the latter is a clever ode to a “down home boy with some uptown stuff,” the former offers another poignant moment. The track, which originally appeared as a solo on his 2019 album, was re-recorded with Combs after the two toured together.

“Ever since we originally released the song a few years ago, we have seen so many military families, athletes, and hard-working everyday people use the song in their own videos,” Green explained in a recent press release. “It has also been one of those songs that proud hometown fans sing along to the loudest, night after night,” he continued. “While up in Canada with Luke at the end of last year, we saw the same thing and it felt right re-releasing it together.”

Lyrically, songs like “Damn Good Day to Leave,” “Workin’ On Me,” and “Mississippi or Me?” are standouts, Green showing that he’s adept with a clever turn of phrase. On the slide-guitar laden, “Damn Good Day to Leave,” his tongue is firmly planted in his cheek as he mourns the loss of a relationship, musing, “”I hate to see you go, but if you ask me, you picked a damn good day to leave.”

The album ends with “Ain’t My Damn to Give,” which includes an unexpectedly welcomed and bluesy harmonica as Green laments over a lost love. On the sparse ballad, he wrestles with a broken heart, admitting that he’d bring her right back if he could. “And I’d drive them comeback miles, Back to me if I could, If I could find the will and want to for you, Girl you know I would,” He sings, voice full of emotion. “If I could change your made-up mind, If I could put words on your lips, I’d say I’d still do for you girl just like I did, But that ain’t my damn to give.”

On Ain’t My Last Rodeo, Riley Green blends his roots with clever lyrics, showing off his solid vocals, unique songwriting, and straightforward country melodies that are sure to solidify his place as one of the genre’s rising stars.

Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tracklist:

Damn Country Music (Jessi Alexander, Cary Barlowe, Josh Thompson)
They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More (Riley Green, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
Mississippi Or Me (Riley Green, Tyler Reeve, Josh Thompson)
Different ‘Round Here (featuring Luke Combs) (Riley Green, Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton)
Ain’t Like I Can Hide It (Riley Green, Chris Dubois, Bobby Pinson)
Copenhagen In A Cadillac (featuring Jelly Roll) (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin)
Damn Good Day To Leave (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Jonathan Singleton, Nick Walsh)
My Last Rodeo (Riley Green)
Workin’ On Me (Riley Green, Rhett Akins, Randy Montana)
Raised Up Right (Riley Green, Jeremy Bussey, Chris Dubois, Lynn Hutton)
God Made a Good Ol’ Boy (Riley Green, Erik Dylan, Wyatt McCubbin, Jonathan Singleton)
Ain’t My Damn To Give (Riley Green, Tucker Beathard, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton)

Country Swag Picks:

Different ‘Round Here
Raised Up Right
My Last Rodeo
Damn Good Day to Leave

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

Green will hit the road next year on his Ain’t My Last Rodeo tour. Tour dates and more can be found here.

To keep up with Riley Green, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Ain’t My Last Rodeo 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.

Ryan Larkins: ‘Meet Ryan Larkins’ Debut EP Review

October 13, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Ryan Larkins shares his debut EP, Meet Ryan Larkins, out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

Songwriters are the backbone of every good country song; however, when songwriters finally decide to step into the limelight as an artist, magic happens. That is what is happening now with Ryan Larkins. A Nashville-born country artist, Larkins started his career as a songwriter penning songs for artists like Cody Johnson. Today, the singer-songwriter is making his debut as a recording artist in his own right. His brand new project Meet Ryan Larkins is out now.

In just five songs, Larkins is showing fans exactly who he is as a person and as an artist. In our recent interview with the singer, he shared, “I think it’s a great representation of who I am as an artist, and I’m just so thankful to have that opportunity. Hopefully, when people hear that song it feels like they have been introduced to me not only as a songwriter and as an artist, but to me as a person.”

The record kicks off with the two previously released songs, “Man That Holds The Beer” and “She’s The Tough One.” The former is a true-blue, blue-collar country song. The song embodies the spirit of country music in an effortless and catchy way. Moreover, “She’s The Tough One” is dedicated to anyone who has a tough woman by their side. Larkins wrote this song about his wife who has been a rock for him throughout his career.

Next up, “Paid For It” depicts Larkins’ journey so far. A beautiful and lyrical country song, “Paid For It” is one of the best songs off the project. However, “King of Country Music” is our absolute favorite off the record. The song was inspired by a conversation Larkins had with his son, who asked him “who is the King of Country Music?” While many have argued that many of the greats are the ‘King,’ namely George Strait, Larkins gives us something else to think about – calling the song the backbone of country music aka the king. We tend to agree!

Finally the record culminates with a song called, “Dream Baby.” On “Dream Baby,” Larkins brings back some tempo. The song is a fun, love song that encourages us all to “dream with our eyes wide open.” The perfect way to round out Meet Ryan Larkins, the debut EP is an incredible first outing for Larkins, who is showing staying power already with his first release.

Meet Ryan Larkins Tracklist:

Man That Holds The Beer
She’s The Tough One
Paid For It
King of Country Music
Dream Baby

Country Swag Picks:

“King of Country Music”
“Paid For It”

Ryan Larkins shares his debut EP, ‘Meet Ryan Larkins,’ 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 Ryan Larkins announcements and releases.

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

Meet Ryan Larkins 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.

Kylie Morgan: ‘Making It Up As I Go’ Album Review

October 13, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Kyle Morgan’s brand new album, Making It Up As I Go is out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

“At what age do you feel like a grown up?” Kylie Morgan asks on the titular track of her debut album, immediately drawing listeners in and setting the stage for the 12 tracks to come. On Making It Up as I Go, Morgan is approachable and relatable, introspective and outspoken, vulnerable yet strong.

All of the tracks on the LP were written or co-written by the Oklahoma native who manages to tap into a confessional yet approachable style of songwriting, remnant of early Taylor Swift or Kelsea Ballerini. This is especially evident on tracks like the introspective “Quarter Life Crisis,” the stirring “Class Rings,” the moving “Don’t Stay Gone Too Long,” and the empowering “Ladies First.”

“This album is for the in-betweeners. The ones who pretend to have it all figured out but are still finding out where they want to go, who they want to be, and how to get there. Whether you’re a child who’s supposed to feel like a teenager, a teenager who’s supposed to feel like a grown up or a grown up that still feels like a child. We’re all just doing our best and I hope this is the soundtrack to your journey,” The EMI Records Nashville artist shares. “‘Cause if we’re all being honest… we’re just makin’ it up as we go.”

That in-between feeling works its way through the title track, as well as songs like the ode to various goodbyes, “Don’t Stay Gone Too Long” and the reflective “Quarter Life Crisis,” which finds her wondering about her life and how she’s living it. Written alone in a hotel room, she shares. “I was living my dream, but I couldn’t have felt more alone in that moment. The closer you get to your dream, sometimes the further you get from yourself, and that’s how it felt.”

Female empowerment is a theme on tracks like the up-tempo “Country Girl,” the make-your-own-money-anthem, “Sugar Daddy,” and the kiss-off, “If He Wanted to He Would.” While “Country Girl” and “Sugar Daddy” are both fun pop-tinted tracks, “If He Wanted to” is more straightforward country, Morgan warning a girl not to give a guy too much credit. “If he loved you, he would tell you // If he missed you, he would call,” She muses. “If he wants you to meet his momma // Then he would bring you home // Oh, there ain’t no excuse // He ain’t Mr. Misunderstood // Quit lying to yourself // If he wanted to, he would.”

Likewise, guys are on put on blast on songs like “Bad Girlfriend” and “Happy Ever After Me.” The former is a Carrie Underwood-esque, guitar-heavy and tongue-in-cheek banger that tries to convince a man to put a ring on it in the most unconventional ways. Meanwhile, Morgan describes the sweet “Happy Ever After Me” as “the prettiest version of a middle finger to my ex.” With its sweet vocals and slide guitars, the description is right on the money.

Morgan is at her finest when she’s at her most vulnerable, evidenced on songs like “Class Rings,” “Ladies First,” “A Few Hearts Ago,” and the album’s closer, “Old Me.” While “Rings” is about a high school love that doesn’t stick around (“That’s why class rings aren’t made of diamonds // Even my mama believed him.”), “Ladies First” deals with the insecurities and stigmas that often come along with womanhood. “How do you expect someone to respect you if you don’t respect yourself?” She asks on the especially poignant track.

While “A Few Hearts Ago” is an earwormy and catchy take on meeting someone at the right time, the lyrics prove that Morgan knows her emotional maturity. “A few hearts ago // Would’ve broke yours, I’d be missing out // Wouldn’t have these lips I’m kissing now // Time did what it’s supposed to do // Thank God I didn’t meet you // A few hearts ago.”

Finally, the LP concludes with “Old Me,” a poignant letter to Morgan’s younger self, much in the vein of Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me.” It’s the perfect closer for an album that takes you on a journey, in the best way. “I’m going to continue to grow, continue to discover new things about myself, and continue to reach the people that I feel like I need to say things to that they feel but don’t know how to say.”

Making It Up As I Go Tracklist:

Making It Up As I Go (Kylie Morgan, KK Johnson, Jordan Minton)
Class Rings (Kylie Morgan, Ben Foster and Jack Newsome)
Country Girl (Kylie Morgan, Gabe Foust, Nate Kenyon and Lance Miller)
Sugar Daddy (Kylie Morgan, James McNair and Seth Mosley)
Ladies First (Kylie Morgan, Ben Goldsmith, Josh Jenkins)
Happy Ever After Me (Kylie Morgan)
Bad Girlfriend (Kylie Morgan, Emily Earle, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram)
A Few Hearts Ago (Kylie Morgan, Casey Brown, James McNair)
Quarter Life Crisis (Kylie Morgan)
If He Wanted To He Would (Kylie Morgan, Zandi Holup, Ben Johnson)
Don’t Stay Gone Too Long (Kylie Morgan, Nelly Joy, Jason Massey)
Old Me (Kylie Morgan, Megan Conner, Jeff Garrison)

Country Swag Picks:

“Making It Up As I Go”
“A Few Hearts Ago”
“Class Rings”

Kylie Morgan’s new album, “Making It Up As I Go,’ 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 Kylie Morgan announcements and releases.

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

Making It Up As I Go 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.

John Morgan: ‘Remember Us?’ – Debut EP Review

October 6, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

John Morgan releases his brand new debut EP, Remember Us?, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

For BBR Music Group recording artist and acclaimed songwriter John Morgan, Remember Us? marks his debut EP as an artist. Featuring six new songs co-written by Morgan, the collection features a wide range of anthemic country and heartbreak tunes.

The North Carolina native is best known for writing Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood’s chart-topping duet, “If I Didn’t Love You,” and partnered with Aldean and his bandmates Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy to co-write and co-produce select tracks. Other contributors on the project include Rodney Clawson, Will Bundy, Justin Wilson, Ben Hayslip, and David Lee Murphy, but at the end of the day, it’s pure Morgan.

“I’m proud to put out this project, so people can really see what I’ve been doing the last couple of years,” says Morgan in a statement. “I haven’t just been writing songs for other people. I hope they see the time that’s put into the details. A lot of these songs are two or three years old. They’ve stood the test of time and are still some of my favorites. They are special to me in different ways. I hope the EP really gives people an opportunity to see me establishing myself as an artist and not just a songwriter. These songs are true to me, and I hope people connect with them.”

Heartbreak and longing are common themes on Remember Us?, weaving their way through the nostalgic title track, as well as songs like “Cold Summer in San Antone” and “Ain’t the Leaving.” “Remember Us” finds him forgetting the bad and reminiscing about only the good parts of a past love, as he’s a man “stuck here in the could’ve been, caught up in the used to be.”

“Cold Summer in San Antone” is an immediate standout, a stirring country ballad that finds him dealing with the ice around a broken heart.

“It’s been a cold summer in San Antone // Well, that Texas sun don’t even feel like it’s on // It’s a hundred and somethin’, damn near record high // But it’s minus one in this bedroom tonight // I wonder if she even knows // That it’s been a cold, cold summer in San Antone”

Meanwhile, “Ain’t the Leaving” may also be about a broken relationship, but it’s a blistering and stadium-ready anthem that finds him grappling with goodbye. “It ain’t the goodbye, it ain’t two taillights that keep me up all night, with a half empty glass, girl it’s the knowing, you won’t stop going, it’s starting to sink in,” He proclaims. “It ain’t the leaving, it’s the not coming back.”

Clever lyrics are commonplace on Remember Us?, especially noticeable on “Friends Like That” and “Won’t Be As Good.” The latter is a gritty and almost swampy stomp about how someone special makes life a whole lot better, while “Friends Like That” finds him seeking solace in friends like Willie and Jack.

“I’m doing alright for the shape I’m in // Sitting by a fire with some damn good friends // Willie on my left, Jack on my right // Blowin’ that smoke on a Friday night // Waylon turned up on the JBL // Girl, you probably think I’m going through hell // But I don’t care, if you never come back ‘Cause who needs you when I got friends like that”

The final song on the EP is “Ain’t Been There Yet,” starting with a Sam Hunt-esque spoken word intro that segues into a full out mid-tempo country tune as Morgan looks for somewhere to forget an ex. “There’s gotta be somewhere I can go…Where I can just go to forget, Wherever it is, I ain’t been there yet.”

For John Morgan, Remember Us? may mark his debut EP, but it’s certainly one that won’t be forgotten.

Remember Us? EP Tracklist:

Won’t Be As Good (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Rodney Clawson, Justin Wilson)
Remember Us (John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Rodney Clawson, Justin Wilson)
Friends Like That (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
Cold Summer In San Antone (John Morgan, Ben Hayslip, Will Bundy)
It Ain’t the Leavin’ (John Morgan, Kyle Fishman, Casey Beathard, Josh Thompson, Rocky Block)
Ain’t Been There Yet (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, David Lee Murphy)

Country Swag Picks:

Cold Summer in San Antone
Won’t Be As Good
Friends Like That

John Morgan shares his debut EP, ‘Remember Us?,’ 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 John Morgan releases.

To keep up with John Morgan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

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

Drake White: ‘The Bridge’ – EP Review

October 6, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Drake White releases his brand new EP, The Bridge, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new project here.

With one of country music’s most compelling voices and stories, Drake White is back with his new EP, The Bridge. The 7-song collection marks the followup to 2022’s LP, The Optimystic, which chronicled White’s recovery from a career and life-altering stroke.

For the Alabama native, The Bridge is a collection of both the old and new. “The Webster dictionary defines a bridge as a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle,” White says. “This is the bridge taking me [to] back to why I started making music in the first place.”

All seven songs were co-written by the Alabama native, including reimagined versions of “50 Years Too Late” and “Power of a Woman,” both which appeared on The Optimystic. While the newly released version of “50 Years” is a gritty and soulful “ruff cut” of the ode to simpler times, “Power” is reimagined as a duet with Colbie Caillat. Here, the breezy singer-songwriter’s warm voice perfectly complements the grit and gravel of White, breathing new life into the track that celebrates an amazing woman.

“Makin’ Me Look Good Again” is also a new version, originally appearing on White’s debut album, Spark. On the new take, aptly dubbed a “wedding version,” his stunning vocals soar over slowed and stripped down instrumentation, making it perfect for a first dance. “And then those loving arms, they pull me back in,” He croons, voice full of emotion. “Oh there you go, baby, yeah, Oh making me look good again.”

“Turn You On” offers another romantic moment, with a seductive invitation to slow things down and enjoy the moment. Co-written with Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, the track can be likened to a modern day “Let’s Get It On,” with White seductively offering to “turn it all off so I can turn you on.”

As one of country music’s most prolific optimists, Drake White shines on introspection in the forms of “Spirit” and “Ladder to the Sky.” The former finds White as a drifter, his soul meant to wander, while “Ladder” offers an especially poignant moment of reflection as a small part in a bigger picture.

“Where it leads nobody knows // Past the stars and left at the rainbow // Ya everybody, everywhere, everyday is trying to climb // Up that ladder // The ladder to the sky // Ya the view gets better from way up high // So climb that ladder // the ladder to the sky”

While the Alabama native shines on romance and introspection, he also knows how to have fun, as evidenced on the EP’s final track, his collaboration with Hayes Carll, “Happy Hour.” On the twangy up-tempo, the pair find themselves asking life’s biggest questions, musing “Who says happy only gets to last an hour?”

“Why do mommas always worry? // Why can’t payday come on time // Why does agave tequila taste, better with salt and lime // Why are sunsets so romantic? // Why are fun things all so wrong? // Why can’t I ever stop singing them sad ol’ country songs? // And why can’t stopping time be my superpower? // And who says happy only gets to last an hour? “

On his new EP, Drake White continues to prove why he’s one of music’s most unique and powerful artists. With his unique output on life and his patented blend of country, soul and Muscle Shoals, each new release offers listeners something truly special, and The Bridge is no exception.

The Bridge EP Tracklist:

50 Years Too Late (Ruff Cut) (Leith Loftin, Drake White)
Spirit (Drake White, Phil Pence, Leslie Satcher)
Power of a Woman (ft. Colbie Caillat) (Kelli Johnson, Lindsey Hinkle, Drake White)
Makin’ Me Look Good Again (Wedding Version) (Drake White, Monty Criswell, Shane Minor)
Turn You On (Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Drake White)
Ladder To The Sky (Drake White, Vanessa Olivarez, Andy Skib)
Happy Hour (Drake White, Hayes Carll)

Country Swag Picks:

Ladder to the Sky
Happy Hour
Makin’ Me Look Good Again

Drake White shares new EP, ‘The Bridge,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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