Cole Swindell’s new love song, “I’m Gonna Let Her” is out now, February 4th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.
Cole Swindell is gearing up for Valentine’s Day with his new song, “I’m Gonna Let Her.” The romantic tune is about finding that special someone and allowing them to show you their definition of love. When you are in a relationship, you have to be willing to try new things and be open to vulnerability. Those two things will help you get to that next step in your relationship and that’s what this song captures. Filled with beautiful acoustics and powerful vocals, this is one of Swindell’s most personal songs to date.
“And I’m gonna let her // Keep on making this life of mine a little better // showing me all about love right down to the letter // So if she wants to think I’m thinking about forever // I’m gonna let her.”
Swindell teased the song by featuring the first verse as a sound on TikTok accompanied by a collage of photos featuringhim and his girlfriend, Courtney Little. Little accompanied Swindell in his music video for “Some Habits”.
It’s been a big week for the Georgia native as he also announced his fourth studio album Stereotype will be released on April 9th. The thirteen-track record will feature a collaboration with HARDY and includes previously released tracks “Single Saturday Night”, “Some Habits”, and his duet with Lainey Wilson “Never Say Never”.
We are loving what we’ve heard so far and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the album!
Cole Swindell releases a brand new love song “I’m Gonna Let Her,” ahead of upcoming studio album, ‘Stereotype.’
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Cole Swindell releases.
“I’m Gonna Let Her” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cole-swindell-new-love-song.jpg6301200Rebekah Milstedhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngRebekah Milsted2022-02-04 01:27:302022-02-04 01:27:30Cole Swindell Releases New Love Song “I’m Gonna Let Her”
Sony Music Nashville signee, Karley Scott Collins makes her major-label debut with her new song “Heavenly,” out now, February 4th. Listen below.
Just last month, Sony Music Nashville announced their newest recording artist, Karley Scott Collins. The songstress is a true visionary. She writes music that is from the heart and has a voice that rivals any in the industry today. Today, Collins makes her debut with her new song “Heavenly.”
Written by Collins with Nathan Chapman, the tender new single is both beautiful and poetic. Inspired by a series of relationships with a bad ending, the new song is relatable to anyone who has ever experienced love and heartbreak. According to Collins “heavenly” is what she hopes will happen, when she meets her person.
“You make all my demons want a halo // Make the devil in me wish he was an angel // Yeah, you bring out the best in me // Yeah, you make me feel heavenly // Thank God He gave me you ’cause // You turn my sad songs into hallelujahs // Yeah, you bring out the best in me // Yeah, you make me feel heavenly”
Collins is an artist to watch out for this year. With just one song under her belt, the singer-songwriter is already proving to have the guts and the vocals to make herself a name-stay in country music.
Karley Scott Collins’ new song “Heavenly” is available now on all streaming platforms.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Karley Scott Collins releases.
“Heavenly” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/karley-scott-heavenly-new-song.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2022-02-04 01:16:582022-02-04 01:16:58Karley Scott Collins Makes Her Debut with New Song “Heavenly”
Restless Road performed their brand new song, “Growing Old With You” on ABC’s ‘The Bachelor’ on Monday night, during one of the special date nights.
On the heels of releasing their brand new, romantic song “Growing Old With You,” Restless Road was invited to perform on ABC’s hit show ‘The Bachelor.” The trio previously teased the song on social media. Fans showed their approval for the song almost instantly. Their performance on The Bachelor was just as great! Watch the video here.
This season’s lead, Clayton Echard, and his date headed to an undisclosed location. They were surprised with the trio’s incredible love song. When asked to perform on the show, Restless Road were both shocked and humbled by the invitation. The trio clearly appreciate every opportunity.
“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”
Restless Road joins a long list of country artists, who performed on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette franchise respectively. Both Chase Rice and Laine Hardy were recent guests on the shows. We wonder who will be next to join the list!
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Restless Road releases.
“Growing Old With You” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/restless-road-bachelor-1.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2022-02-03 17:46:262022-02-03 17:49:16Restless Road Performs “Growing Old With You” on The Bachelor
Caitlyn Smith shares her rendition of “High,” which was previously recorded by Miley Cyrus. Listen to the new song below.
It is always exciting, when a country artist is as fantastic of a vocalist as they are a songwriter. This sentiment describes Caitlyn Smith to a tee! Recently, she even earned a cut on Miley Cyrus’ album Plastic Hearts with her song “High.” Today, Smith releases her own rendition of the incredible song.
Because of how much Smith loved “High,” it was important for her to release her version of the track. Smith’s rendition is piercing, haunting, and vocally driven. With more instrumentals than Cyrus’ version, the songstress brings a whole new life to the already incredible song.
“And in my head I did my very best // Saying goodbye, goodbye // And I don’t miss you but I think of you // And don’t know why // I still feel high // I still feel high // Sometimes I stay up all night // ‘Cause you don’t ever talk to me in my dreams // And I think about eventually you’re holding me // And dancing to the record like a movie scene”
“High” is the first song off Smith’s upcoming, self-produced project. Smith is in a league all of her own. Her songwriting and vocal abilities are mesmerizing and enticing. We should all be excited for what is to come!
Caitlyn Smith’s version of “High” is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Caitlyn Smith releases.
“High” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cailtyn-smith-new-song-high.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2022-01-28 01:07:432022-01-28 01:07:43Caitlyn Smith Shares Her Rendition of “High” Recorded by Miley Cyrus
Maddie & Tae’s newest EP, Through the Madness Vol. 1is officially out now, January 28th, and available on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.
On Through the Madness Volume 1, Maddie and Tae are stronger than ever. As a duo, the pair of Madison Font (formerly Marlow) and Taylor Kerr (formerly Dye) has become known for their intrinsic and ethereal harmonies paired with vulnerability-laden songwriting. This continues on Through the Madness, showing the pair getting better and better with each subsequent release.
Featuring eight brand new tracks, each song on Through the Madness Volume 1 was co-written by the duo, hearts fully on display with each lyric. They also enlist some of Nashville’s biggest names here, including Tae’s husband, Josh Kerr, Jordan Minton, Barry Dean, Luke Laird, and Jimmy Robbins.
Following in the footsteps of 2020’s The Way It Feels, this eight-song collection continues to show their growth as both individuals and a duo. Yet, some songs date back even further than that release. Kerr explains that one of the album’s highlights, “Don’t Make Her Look Dumb” isn’t exactly new. “We wrote ‘Don’t Make Her Look Dumb’ less than a month after “Die From A Broken Heart,” which was five years ago. Everyone loved the song, but Maddie and I felt like we’d already done it.” At the suggestion of their A&R rep, they brought in Morgane Stapleton, best known for performing with her husband, Chris.
Another highlight is the pair’s collaboration with Lori McKenna, “The Other Side.” The song embraces overcoming hardships, the trio harmonizing magically. “I know your heart is heavy// And your feet feel unsteady // That highwire is ready to break // Don’t forget // That there’s strength in the weakness // And light in the pieces // Even broke down hearts know how to shine,” They sing on the uplifting ballad. “Oh, there’s wisdom in the waiting // Peace in the patience // Time always takes care of the changing time // And if you need a hand // Then reach for mine // You’re closer than you think // To the other side.”
On the album’s opener, “What It’s Like Loving You,” the pair whimsically wonder about a relationship with someone new, wondering what it’ll be like. “If it’s anything like tonight,” they muse. “I could get used to // What it’s like loving you.” Meanwhile, they flip the script on “Woman You Got,” outlining the imperfections that make loving them an adventure. “I know you know me, but if I know me,” they sing teasingly. “I’m gonna drive you crazy.”
On “Wish You the Best,” the pair do what they do best, and turn a clever phrase into an incredible lyric. Since the “Girl in a Country Song Days,” they have shined with their lyrical prowess and this country kissoff is no exception. “I wish you the best, but you’ve already had it.”
Both “Madness” and “Strangers” are heartfelt love songs, with “Madness” as an ode to enduring love, promising that “if the world goes mad // I’ll love you through the madness.” The collection ends with the piano-driven “Strangers,” reflecting on the power of the kind of love that makes life before it seem irrelevant. While the song can most easily be interpreted as a love song to a significant other, it can easily be applied to a mother of a child, with Kerr welcoming her first daughter unexpectedly on January 17, nearly three months early.
For Maddie & Tae, Through the Madness Vol. 1 is a natural progression in their musical journey. It shows them evolving and growing while still remaining true to their roots with a combination of clever lyrics, powerful meaning, and pure country harmonies.
Through the Madness Vol 1. EP Tracklist:
What It’s Like Loving You (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Josh Kerr, Jordan Minton)
Woman You Got (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Mark Holman, Laura Veltz)
Don’t Make Her Look Dumb (Feat. Morgane Stapleton) (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Barry Dean, Luke Laird)
Grown Man Cry (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Eric Arjes, Jordan Minton)
Madness (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Jessie Jo Dillon, Zach Kale)
The Other Side (Feat. Lori McKenna) (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Josh Kerr, Lori McKenna)
Wish You The Best (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)*
Strangers (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Adam Hambrick, Jimmy Robbins)
Maddie and Tae’s new EP, ‘Through the Madness Vol. 1’ is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Maddie & Tae releases.
Through the Madness Vol 1. EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/maddie-and-tae-ep.jpg6301200Nicole Pieringhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngNicole Piering2022-01-28 01:06:412022-01-28 01:06:41Maddie & Tae: ‘Through the Madness Vol. 1’ – EP Review
Jordan Fletcher releases his new EP, True Stories, out now, January 28th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.
Jacksonville-born artist, Jordan Fletcher is a singer-songwriter on the rise. He is an artist you are going to want to add to your radar ASAP. Today the talented artist released his debut EP, entitled True Stories.
True to its name, the four songs are an authentic and honest approach to storytelling that country music does so well. According to Fletcher, all of his songs are autobiographical, which makes the EP even more captivating. “If I’m singing it, it’s got to be true. If you wanted a childhood video of me on VHS, this is what you would see. I’m not making this shit up or shying away from what I believe. I’m telling my story,” shares the singer in a recent press release.
The record kicks off with “Firebird,” a laidback jam. Vocally driven with thought-provoking lyrics, Fletcher sings about a car that has a lot of stories and memories wrapped up in it. The song feels both personal and innovative.
Fletcher continues the intricate vibes with “Still Those Kids.” A slower number, the track is a love song at its finest. Clearly inspired by his relationship with his now-wife, the singer takes listeners on a journey down memory lane of their relationship. He does not try to reinvent the wheel with this song but manages to create something that feels fresh, yet nostalgic.
LYRICS
Clearly inspired by love in all its glory, Fletcher’s voice shines on “I Know You Are But What Am I.” He tackles the tough theme of recognizing yourself without the one you love. Fans of songs that show true artistry will fall in love with this track; despite, the desperation it conveys.
The record culminates with another poignant song, “Rather Be Broke.” On this track, Fletcher doubles down on love. Without love, nothing else matters. Moreover, being rich in love is more important than anything else.
We truly fell in love with Fletcher’s debut EP. Each song makes you yearn for more music from the budding artist. It is refreshing to see an artist come out of the gate being unequivocal true to both their artistry and humanness.
Jordan Fletcher’s brand new EP, ‘True Stories,’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
True Stories EP Tracklist:
Firebird
Still Those Kids
I Know You Are But What Am I
Rather Be Broke
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Jordan Fletcher releases.
True Stories EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jordan-fletcher-new-ep-true-stories.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2022-01-28 01:04:402022-01-28 01:04:40Jordan Fletcher: ‘True Stories’- EP Review
Adam Doleac’s new song, “Drinkin’ It Wrong” is out now, January 28th, on all streaming platforms. Learn more about the track below.
Adam Doleac has a brand new song titled “Drinkin’ It Wrong”. Like most drinking songs, it has a fun, upbeat message. “Drinkin It Wrong” focuses on all the ways you should be consuming your beverage: fast, carefree, and with a little buzz.
“If you’re slow, slow sippin’ // If your cup ain’t tippin’ // If that buzz ain’t kickin’ // Yeah, you’re drinkin’ // But you’re drinkin’ it wrong”
We at Country Swag have been big fans of Doleac from the beginning and whether he puts out a love song or a song about drinking, we always seem to be immediately hooked. In a world that can be dark and scary, “Drinkin’ It Wrong” takes you to a fun, stress-free place where work and other worries can be put on the backburner.
“If you got work on your mind // If your worries ain’t gone // If it ain’t hitting you right // Well, you’re drinkin’ it wrong // If that bottle ain’t cold // You been holding it too long // I don’t know what you’ve been told // But you’re drinkin’ it wrong”
Adam Doleac’s new song “Drinkin’ It Wrong” is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Adam Doleac releases.
“Drinkin’ It Wrong” 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.
https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/adam-doleac-new.jpg6301200Kristina Callahanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngKristina Callahan2022-01-28 01:03:492022-01-28 01:03:49Adam Doleac Releases New Song “Drinkin’ It Wrong”
Rod + Rose, comprised of Rodney Atkins and wife, Rose Falcon have officially combined their talents on their self-titled debut EP. Listen to the brand new music below and check out our full review.
For Rod + Rose, releasing music together was a natural progression. Like Thompson Square or Joey and Rory before them, the pair are a team both on and off the stage. Married in 2013 and the parents to two sons, Rodney Atkins and Rose Falcon have joined forces as a new musical duo.
With six #1 hits under his belt including “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You,” and “Caught Up in the Country,” Atkins may be the more well-known of the pair. Yet, Falcon has had great success in her own right as both a singer and a songwriter, writing for the likes of Faith Hill and Lady A. Meanwhile, Eric Paslay’s version of her song “Friday Night” was a number one hit in 2019.
Today, January 28, the couple released their self-titled debut EP, featuring five new songs that show their strengths as a duo. Atkins brings his patented country drawl to the collection, supported by Falcon’s rich and velvety tone, their voices blending in perfect harmony.
The EP’s opening track “Being Here, Being There” tells a tale that is oh-so-relatable. “This song is about being, and having, that friend who celebrates with you during the highs and isn’t afraid to get in the trenches with you during the lows,” says Falcon in a statement. “… if you have that person you can count on to walk through life with you, it’s a game changer. When one is down, the other picks up the slack, and vice-versa. We know how lucky we are to have each other, now more than ever.”
Likewise, “Anyway” and “Put Me Back Together” tell similarly beautiful tales of enduring love, the pair celebrating the way they complement each other in the highs and lows of life. “You take me high // When I’m dropping low // And you show me places I’ve never known,” They harmonize on “Put Me Back Together.” “Even when we’re just riding // ‘Round town getting stoned // Yeah, you put me back together again.” Meanwhile, on “Anyway,” they celebrate each other’s faults and the way they love in spite of them. Here, Falcon takes the lead with Atkins providing a stunning harmony.
“Fine By Me” is a stomping country up-tempo that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on an older Little Big Town record, the pair harmonizing about country living over fiddle and steel, accentuated by a toe-tapping, hand-clapping chorus. “Look at you sitting there,” they sing. “Looking oh so fine by me.”
The EP ends with a wedding version of “Figure Out You,” a song that should be used for first dances from now to eternity, the pair cooing, “I want to spend the rest of my life trying to figure out you.” While some artists may put out wedding songs as a way to find relevance, with Rod + Rose, the offering is purely organic and you can imagine the pair singing and feeling the lyrics.
“You keep me beautifully confused // First kiss I stole I knew // I wanna spend the rest of my life trying to figure out you.”
On their first EP as a duo, Rod + Rose reveal a collection of heartfelt tracks that are sure to melt even the coldest of hearts. Their connection is palpable through their harmonies, and if that ain’t love, we don’t know what is.
Rod + Rose EP Tracklist:
Being Here Being There
Fine By Me
Put Me Back Together
Anyway
Figure Out You (Wedding Version)
Rod + Rose’s debut self-titled EP 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 and announcements about future Rod + Rose releases.
Rod + Rose EP is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
Brothers Osborne’s new album Skeletons Deluxe is out now, January 21st on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new record below.
Originally released in October 2020, the Brothers Osborne third album, Skeletons, featured twelve tracks of the pure southern country-rock sound that fans have come to know of the duo. With TJ’s signature raspy growl paired with John’s incredible guitar skills, their unique sound shines on Skeletons.
Including the likes of “All Night” and “I’m Not for Everyone,” the Jay Joyce-produced Skeletons was a masterpiece in its original form. Today, however, the GRAMMY-nominated duo released a deluxe version of the album, featuring three new tracks, including the highly acclaimed “Younger Me.”
Nominated for the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, “Younger Me” was inspired by TJ’s coming out in February 2021, making him the first major-label country artist to be openly gay. Written as a letter of reassurance to his younger self, the stirring ballad is one of country music’s most heartfelt tracks released in recent years.
“Younger me // Overthinking, losing sleep at night // Contemplating if it’s worth the fight,” TJ sings. “If he only knew he’d be alright // Yeah, younger me”
While “Younger Me” is arguably the most important track that the brilliant brothers have ever released, it should not completely overshadow the other two tracks released on this deluxe edition. There’s “Headstone,” a driving, guitar-driven uptempo track that reflects what the Brothers Osborne have become known for. Meanwhile, “Midnight Riders Prayer” received Willie Nelson’s personal blessing to include snippets from “On the Road Again.”
Featuring an incredible guitar solo at the halfway point, “Headstone” is sure to be a face-melter during live shows, as they extoll their own perfect imperfections, TJ proudly proclaiming “Write that on my headstone.” Meanwhile, “Midnight Riders Prayer” is an ode to the life of a touring musician. Sampling “On the Road Again” in a way that comes off completely organic, they meld Nelson’s classic rift into their own haunting chorus.
“When your night is ending // Ours is just beginning // On the road again,” They sing. “Like a band of gypsies, we roll down the highway… Brothers ‘til the end // Insisting that the world keep turning our way.”
While Skeletons was already an exemplary album, the three new tracks added to the deluxe album just make it all the more perfect.
Skeletons Deluxe Tracklist:
Lighten Up (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk)
All Night (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
AAll the Good Ones Are (TJ Osborne, Lee Miller and Craig Wiseman)
I’m Not for Everyone (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby)
Skeletons (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts)
Back On The Bottle (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Hayes Carll)
High Note (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Casey Beathard and Dustin Christensen)
Muskrat Greene (John Osborne)
Dead Man’s Curve (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Lee Miller)
Make It a Good One (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
Hatin’ Somebody (John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Casey Beathard)
Old Man’s Boots (John Osborne)
Younger Me (John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendell Marvel)
Brothers Osborne’s new album ‘Skeletons Deluxe’ is out now, January 21st.
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.
Skeletons Deluxe 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.
Walker Hayes’ brand new full-length project, Country Stuff The Album featuring “Fancy Like” and “AA” is out now, January 21st on all streaming platforms. Listen below.
When Walker Hayes released his Country Stuff EP in June, he wasn’t yet “the Fancy Like guy.” In fact, the buzz had just begun about the track that would become a viral sensation, inescapable everywhere from live television performances to Applebee’s commercials. Now, Hayes is taking a step forward as an artist, releasing his full-length Country Stuff The Album today, January 21.
“I’ve been waiting so long to put out a project like this,” says the Monument recording artist in a statement. “It has everything I love from the fun of ‘Fancy Like’ to the more personal lyrics in ‘AA.’ As an artist, it’s such a unique thing to be able to share all the different versions of you in a project, and that’s really what I tried to do here.”
The album opens with “Drinking Songs,” an interesting choice for a man who’s faced his own battles with alcohol addiction. Yet, Hayes jokes about it as only he can, quipping on social media, “Who better to write a drinking song than an alcoholic?” On the breakup track, Hayes is rock bottom after a breakup, getting through the tough times supported by a drink and an array of country greats.
Interestingly, Hayes follows up his “Drinking Songs,” with “AA,” revealing the honest truths about his life and his struggles. On the mid-tempo tune, he muses, “I’m just tryna keep my daughters off the pole // And my sons out of jail // Tryna get to church so I don’t go to hell // I’m just tryna keep my wife // From figuring out // That I married up // And she married way, way down… Hey, I’m just tryna stay out of AA.”
Like “AA,” “What You Don’t Wish For” deals with the struggles Hayes has faced on his road to success. “People think I’m crazy // And sometimes I believe them,” He begins. “I ain’t the best singer in the world // But I can’t stop singing.” He dedicates the song to all “the kids with guitars looking up at the stars” with dreams of making music a career. “They say careful what you wish // But I say more // Be careful what you don’t wish for.”
Hayes shows his romantic side on songs like “Life With You” and “Make You Cry.” If you follow him on social media, it’s abundantly clear how much he loves his wife, Lainey. This is even more evident on the album’s more heartfelt tracks. “Life With You” is about how much life changes once you find your person. “I never knew that I was lonely ‘til your love // Didn’t believe in all that one and only stuff // Only thing that my heart could commit to // Was my commitment issues // Til you came into the picture like whoa // I said ‘y’all i’m finished flying solo’…” Hayes sings.“Baby all I wanna do is life with you.” Meanwhile, on “Make You Cry,” he celebrates the happy tears of life, which were probably caused by these songs. “I know I hit the right emotion,” He sings. “When your eyes fill up with ocean.”
The album also features a handful of collaborations, including “Country Stuff” with Jake Owen, “Briefcase” with Lori McKenna, and “What If We Did?” with Carly Pearce, each of which appeared on his previously-released EP. The new addition here is the re-release of “Craig,” featuring Christian group MercyMe. The song tells the story of a man whom Hayes met at church that changed his life by paying things forward and giving him a van. The inclusion of MercyMe on the choruses here adds a new layer to the song, making it even more powerful.
“Yeah I know, he sounds cool right? // Not your typical kid from Sunday school, right? // Nah he can’t walk on water // Or turn the Napa Valley red // But he just might be tight with a man that did // Now he’s not the light of the world // But I wish that mine was bright as his // Yeah he just might be tight with a man that is”
“Fancy Like” is still one of the album’s standouts, with its inescapable earworminess that we’re somehow not sick of yet. Meanwhile, Hayes continues to drop funky beats like “Fancy Like” on the likes of “U Gurl,” another rhythmic singalong track that’s sure to make the TikTokers happy.
The album ends on a high note with the stirring Carly Pearce duet “What If We Did.” The track finds the pair after a one-night-stand, musing that they may not make it long term, but what if they did? “That only happens never,” Hayes sings as they consider a possible future together, Pearce’s angelic voice adding a beautiful richness of layers to the already dreamy track.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last six months, you’ve heard and sang along to “Fancy Like.” Yet, there’s so much more to Walker Hayes, as evidenced by Country Stuff The Album. While he can produce a viral hit with a silly dance, Hayes is much deeper than just that, and while it would be easy to simply write him off as “that Fancy Like guy,” we recommend you give him the chance he deserves.
Country Stuff The Album Tracklist:
“Drinking Songs”
“AA”
“Life With You”
“U Gurl”
“DeLorean”
“Fancy Like”
“Craig” (Feat MercyMe)
“What You Don’t Wish For”
“Country Stuff” (Feat. Jake Owen)
“I Hope You Miss Me”
“Briefcase” (Feat. Lori McKenna)
“Cry”
“What If We Did” (Feat. Carly Pearce)
Walker Hayes’ brand new full-length project, ‘Country Stuff The Album’ is out now.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Walker Hayes announcements and releases.
Country Stuff The Album is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
