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Troy Cartwright: ‘Halfway To Houston’ – EP Review

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Troy Cartwright’s major-label debut EP, Halfway To Houstonis out now, October 15th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Troy Cartwright is officially making his major label debut. The singer-songwriter’s brand new EP, Halfway To Houston features five new songs that showcase his artistry and undeniable talent. Halfway To Houston is out now.

The record kicks off with the title track. Written by Cartwright with Brandon Hood and Billy Montana, the rock-heavy tune explores the nuances of lust and love. The single showcases the gritty side of the country singer’s persona.

Next up is “Breaking Every Heart In Texas.” The touching slow-burn shows off the vulnerable side of the singer. Similar topically to “Marry Me” by Thomas Rhett, the song emotes the hard-to-explain feeling of watching someone you are in love with, marry someone else. The storytelling song is one of the best on the record.

“She’s breakin’ every heart in Texas // Leavin’ behind a bunch of could’ve-been should’ve-been’s // As her daddy gives her hand away // From Amarillo down to Galveston Bay // She’s makin’ all them cowboys jealous // Wishin’ they could hear her say, “I do” in his shoes // But they all try to force a smile // She don’t know it walkin’ down the aisle // She’s breakin’ every heart in Texas”

Cartwright continues to firmly plant his feet in vulnerability and honesty on the next track. “God is Good” sings about life and faith on this stellar new song. His vocals shine on the heartfelt tune that is a true ode to a friend who is battling an illness, while remaining steadfast in his faith. This song is one anyone can relate to, regardless of your relationship with God.

On the other hand, “Hammer” leans into the more gritty side of the singer-songwriter. The imagery the song conveys is what makes this break-up track so intoxicating. Cartwright shows off his present and his readiness for the live show on this absolute jam.

Finally, the record ends with Cartwright’s “Shine On Me.” The single is the autobiographical song on the new EP. It is clear that the entertainer has always been just a kid with a big dream. As a listener, it is inspiring to listen to Cartwright convey his story, his heart, and his journey on this catchy and heart-filled song.

“Cause if it happened for Waylon // Willie and the king // One of these days // Luck’s gonna shine a little light on me // It’s gonna shine on me // Yeah, I know it’s gonna shine on me // It’s gonna shine on me // Yeah, I know it’s gonna shine on me”
Overall, Halfway to Houston is an EP you are going to want to listen to. It is the perfect introduction to all of the talent Cartwright has to offer, while keeping you invested for much more in the future!

Halfway To Houston EP Tracklist

  1. Halfway To Houston (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
  2. Breaking Every Heart In Texas (Brett Tyler, Wynn Varble, Jeff Outlaw, Troy Cartwright)
  3. God Is Good (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
  4. Hammer (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
  5. Shine On Me (Nolan Sipe, Ben Caver, Troy Cartwright)
Troy Cartwright's debut EP 'Halfway To Houston' is out now, October 14th.

Troy Cartwright’s debut EP ‘Halfway To Houston’ is out now, October 14th.

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

To keep up with Troy Cartwright, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Halfway To Houston 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 Drops New Song “U Gurl” following Viral “Fancy Like”

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Walker Hayes’ new song “U Gurl” is out today, October 15th, on all streaming platforms. It follows the viral success of the singer-songwriter’s “Fancy Like.” Learn more about the brand new track below.

Walker Hayes has had quite the whirlwind year! The singer-songwriter has built a name and a following for himself on TikTok, growing his fanbase along the way. After his song “Fancy Like” skyrocketed up the charts and went viral, Hayes and his family became a household name. Today, the singer ups the ante with another new jam called “U Gurl.”

The new single, “U Gurl” is just as fun and spunky as its predecessor. Hayes enlists the help of his oldest daughter Lela to create a dance to go along with the track. Hayes, Lela, and one of his sons, Baylor teased the song and the dance on social media.

It will be quite the adventure to see if this song goes viral as well. In the mean time, we anticipate that “Fancy Like” will hit the top of country charts in the weeks coming up!

Walker Hayes' new song, "U Gurl" is out now, October 15th.

Walker Hayes’ new song, “U Gurl” is out now, October 15th. (Photo Credit: Matt Bacnis)

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch a special virtual show with Walker Hayes! Purchase a ‘FANCY LIKE Back-to-School’ tee. Each order gets you exclusive access to Kelly Ford’s Teachers Lounge Virtual Show with Walker Hayes hosted by Country Swag happening on October 21st! Learn more here.

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

To keep up with Walker Hayes, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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

Zac Brown Band: ‘The Comeback’ – Album Review

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Zac Brown Band’s latest album The Comeback is out now, October 15th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

Today (October 15), Zac Brown Band released their seventh studio album titled The Comeback. The 15-track project is their follow-up to the controversial The Owl from 2019 and contains seven previously released tracks including “Old Love Song,” “Out in the Middle,” “Slow Burn,” their current single, “Same Boat,” among others. Keep reading below as we dive deeper into this new record.

 Fans of Zac Brown Band love their feel-good, traditional-sounding tunes that made them one of the most popular country groups of the 2010s. With The Owl, the band went outside their comfort zone and experimented with new sounds and topics, which received mixed reviews from fans and critics. Now, The Comeback is Zac Brown Band’s…well, comeback into the traditional country music scene. 

Starting with the previously released tracks, “Same Boat” came out on June 11th and is currently sitting at number nine on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. It has a similar sound as arguable their biggest hit to date, “Chicken Fried” but with a more “islandy” theme. Penned by Zac Brown with Ben Simonetti and Jonathan Singleton (who have cuts all over this record), this upbeat and fun tune reminds us that we are all going through life together and are all merely humans trying to make sense of everything going on. “Old Love Song” and “Out in the Middle” are both Luke Combs co-writes. The former is a traditional love song while the latter is a southern-rock anthem in which Brown sings about the beauty of growing up in the fly-over states. He touches upon his southern roots again in “GA Clay.” 

Love found is one major themes on this album. “Stubborn Pride” features and was co-written by Marcus King and is about a man who finally finds true love and settles down. The slow, acoustic vibe highlights the raw emotion in Brown and King’s voices. The electric guitar solo in the bridge brings added excitement to the blues-influenced country tune. “Love and Sunsets” also touches on romance, but in a different and more cheery fashion. The singer doesn’t have a lot of money to his name, but luckily for him, she doesn’t need a mansion, expensive truck, and diamond rings; love and sunsets are free and that’s good enough for them. In “Closer to Heaven,” he speaks on the faults of the man he was before this women, but now since he’s with her, he’s closer to heaven. Two-time Grammy Award-winner, Gregory Porter brings his jazz influence onto the track, taking the second verse and chorus and providing backing harmonies with Brown in the final chorus.  

While Zac Brown Band touches on the fun side of love, there is also a challenging side of it—love lost. In the western-themed track “Wild Palomino,” he sings about the girl who was difficult to lock down. He compares her to the untamed horse that you simply cannot rein in. Even though he lost her, he will never stop loving her. “Any Day Now” may be the most emotional track on the record. The woman in the story tells the man that any day now she is going to walk out on him, to which he replies ‘I’m going to change my ways any day now.’ Unfortunately for him, the former came before the latter and he never got his chance to make it up to her. 

“Any day now, I’ll make up for the heartache // Any down now, but you couldn’t wait // Judging by the screen door slamming to taillights fading out of town // I guess it’s any day now”

The next two songs discuss young love—some prevail and some fall apart. In “Slow Burn,” the singer describes the feeling of not being able to get over a past fling. He paints vivid pictures of his girl’s sun-kissed skin on the Georgia lakeshore, and simple sights such as the stars in the night sky make her appear back in his mind. There is a lot of imagery and specific memories described in “Us Against the World” that helps the listener feel what these young lovers are feeling at that moment. However, whether or not this couple survived is not indicated in the song, leaving the end up to our interpretation. These songs are the two most studio-produced tracks on the album, but they also incorporate steel guitar and other country elements sprinkled throughout, making it a song for all types of country fans.

Zac Brown Band throws some light-hearted stuff in the project as well, such as “Don’t Let Your Heart” and “Fun Having Fun.” In “Don’t Let Your Heart,” Brown reminds us to keep our heads up even in the darkest of times. All is lost once you let go of love and hope. Keys are very prevalent in this track, which makes it fun to sing-along to. In the latter, the singer tells stories (hopefully fictional) of making reckless mistakes as a young boy in bluegrass fashion. When he is confronted by an elder, his excuse was simply “it’s fun having fun.” Life only comes around once and you have to enjoy it while you’re alive. 

“The Comeback” sits right in the middle of the album at track number eight. It hints at life during the pandemic; how there were no crops in the fields, no children in the classrooms, and no bands on stage. But Brown lifts our spirts by stating the comeback is best part of going through hardships. The backing vocals in this song make it feel almost like a Broadway show finale, which is cool when you compare it to finally climbing out of the pandemic and getting our normal, everyday lives back.

“It’s an underdog story the whole world can see // And the only good thing about getting knocked down is the comeback when it comes back around”

It’s not only Zac Brown Band’s comeback, it’s ours as well. Live music was always something we took for granted—an industry we always thought would be around—but for a year and a half, the world had other plans. So next time you’re on the fence about going out to a show because you have no one to go with, the tickets are expensive, or it’s a weeknight, remember how empty that year and a half felt. This record puts that in perspective—cherish the things in life we currently have because we don’t know how long it is going to be around for.

The Comeback Tracklist

  1. “Slow Burn” (Zac Brown, Ben Hayslip, Ben Simonetti)
  2. “Out in the Middle” (Brown, Luke Combs, Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton)
  3. “Wild Palomino” (Brown, Wyatt Durrette III, Simonetti, Singleton)
  4. “Us Against the World” (Brown, Simonetti, Singleton)
  5. “Same Boat” (Brown, Simonetti, Singleton)
  6. “Stubborn Pride” [feat. Marcus King] (Brown, Marcus King, Simonetti)
  7. “Fun Having Fun” (Brown, Kenny Habul, Kurt Thomas, Simonetti)
  8. “The Comeback” (Brown, Durrette, Ray Fulcher, Simonetti, Singleton)
  9. “Old Love Song” (Brown, Combs, Simonetti, Singleton)
  10. “Any Day Now” (Brown, Clay Cook, Josh Dunne, Fulcher, Simonetti, Singleton)
  11. “Paradise Lost on Me” (Brown, Durrette, Simonetti, Singleton)
  12. “GA Clay” (Brown, Durrette, Neil Mason, Simonetti, Singleton)
  13. “Love & Sunsets” (Brown, Luke Dick, Simonetti)
  14. “Closer to Heaven [feat. Gregory Porter] (Brown, John Driskell Hopkins, Simonetti)
  15. “Don’t Let Your Heart” (Brown, Durrette, Levi Lowrey, Jimmy De Martini, Simonetti)
Zac Brown Band's new album "The Comeback' is out now.

Zac Brown Band’s new album “The Comeback’ 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 Zac Brown Band releases.

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

The Comeback 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.

avenue-beat-new-debut-album

Avenue Beat: ‘the debut farewell album’ – Album Review

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Avenue Beat’s debut and final album the debut farewell album is officially out on all streaming platforms today, October 15th. Listen to the full project below and check out our review.

Our favorite country-pop girl group, Avenue Beat is officially breaking-up. Although sad, it is the perfect, ironic timing for the trio to release their debut record. Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, and Sam Backoff established themselves as trendsetters and true individuals, and the brand new record is the perfect send off. the debut farewell album is officially out now.

The record kicks off with arguably the song of 2020, the iconic, “F2020.” A true embodiment of how we all felt during the height of the pandemic, Avenue Beat do not shy away from he truth in this song, a common thread throughout their music. Similarly their previously relate songs “woman” and “I don’t really like your boyfriend,” showcases their flirty and sassy sides of their artistry.

On “rock in outer space,” the threesome explore the idea that we take life so seriously, yet we are literally “floating on a rock in outer space.” Their approach is both interesting and introspective.

The ladies continue their cool-girl vibe on “dtf” and “space for you.” The former is a catchy tune about getting closer with someone you like. Although we all know what the acronym stands for, Avenue Beat changes it to “down to fly” and later, “down to fight.” The latter, “space for you” is a slow-burn that feels confident and deep. It is clear the songstresses know a thing or two about love.

Avenue Beat continue to explore the meaning of life and love on the next couple of tracks, “new strangers” and “parties.” “new strangers” is a harmonic masterpiece.  With lyrics like, “I feel like I’m not keeping old friends, I’m just making new strangers,” it is hard not to fall in love with this pensive jam. On the other hand “parties” is an explorative song about both anxiety and dealing with our twenties.

Before the last three songs off the project, Avenue Beat feature a personal interlude. The final three songs all convey the sadness the artists feel about Sami deciding to leave the band.

“different” showcases how Backoff and Santos feel about losing their band member. Their honesty and integrity shine on this sad, but beautiful track. “happy for you” takes things a step further and deeper into the vulnerability. “it’s weird that both these things can be true // that I’m happy for you // and I hate that I have to be happy for you.”

Finally, the record culminates with “this is goodbye” featuring Summer Overstreet, the unofficial forth member of the band. The song is a harmony-forward ballad. All their vocals shine on the track. It is clear that the ladies are saying goodbye to the incredible artistry that they have created together throughout their time at major label.

Although this record is a goodbye record, we sincerely hope there will be more from Sam Backoff and Savana Santos in the future. The twosome clearly love what they do, and country music, and fans around the world need them, even if its not Avenue Beat. Congrats to the ladies on a stellar project!

the debut farewell album Track List:

  1. F2020 | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos
  2. woman | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Joey Hendricks, Michael Whitworth*
  3. I don’t really like your boyfriend | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet
  4. rock in outer space | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet+
  5. dtf | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet, Jordyn Shellhart, Emily Weisband^
  6. space for you | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet^
  7. new strangers | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Jason Gantt
  8. parties | Sam Backoff, Sami Bearden, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet
  9. interlude | Sam Backoff, Savana Santos
  10. different | Sam Backoff, Savana Santos
  11. happy for you | Sam Backoff, Savana Santos, Victoria Canal, Summer Overstreet
  12. this is goodbye (featuring Summer Overstreet) | Sam Backoff, Savana Santos, Summer Overstreet

Produced by Savana Santos
*Produced by Savana Santos, Alysa Vanderheym
+Produced by Savana Santos, Julian Bunetta
^Produced by Savana Santos, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Afterhrs

OUR PICKS:

  1. “new strangers”
  2. “this is goodbye”
  3. “F2020”
  4. “different”
avenue-beat-new-album

Avenue Beat’s record ‘the debut farewell album’ is officially out now.

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

To keep up with Avenue Beat follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

the debut farewell 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.

miranda-lambert-new-song

Miranda Lambert Drops New Song “If I Was A Cowboy”

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Miranda Lambert’s new song “If I Was A Cowboy” is out today, October 15th, on all streaming platforms. Learn more about the brand new track below.

We love it when superstar, Miranda Lambert digs her heels into her country roots. Clearly still inspired by her Texas uprising, Lambert leans into The Marfa Tapes sound and style on her brand new single. Today, the singer-songwriter releases “If I Was A Cowboy.”

On the slow jam, Lambert manages to give us sass and vulnerability at the same time. The song is all about girl power, confidence, and openness in a less traditional way. The singer dubs herself the ‘queen cowboy’ on this enticing new track. Written by Lambert with Jesse Frasure, the imaginative song is one you will instantly get attached to.

“Wanted by the law, but the law don’t apply to me // If I was a cowboy, I’d be wild and free // Rolling around these towns like tumbleweeds // I’d be a legend at lovin’ and leavin’ // Sippin’ on whiskey and numbin’ up my feeling // You thought the west was wild, but you ain’t saddled up with me”

“If I Was A Cowboy” comes just before Lambert releases her Christmas record with her girl group, Pistol Annies. Hell of a Holiday is slated for release on October 22nd.

miranda-lambert-new-song

Miranda Lambert’s brand new song, “If I Was A Cowboy” is officially 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 Miranda Lambert releases.

To keep up with Miranda Lambert, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

“If I Was A Cowboy” 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-hurd-new-album-pelago-debut

Ryan Hurd: ‘Pelago’ – Album Review

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Ryan Hurd’s long-awaited debut album, Pelago is out now, October 15th on all streaming platforms. Featuring eleven new songs, including “Chasing After You” with Maren Morris, check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

After making a name for himself as one of Nashville’s hottest songwriters, with #1 hits for Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Lady A and more, Ryan Hurd branched out as an artist of his own. And we’re oh-so-glad he did.

After a string of EPs and songwriting #1s, the rising superstar released his debut full-length album today (October 15) with Arista Nashville, Pelago. Inspired by growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, the album was produced by Hurd’s childhood friend Aaron Eshuis, with assistance from Jesse Frasure and Teddy Reimer.

Having co-written ten of the album’s eleven tracks, Pelago truly continues Hurd’s introduction as both a brilliant songwriter and an incredibly talented artist. This is evidenced throughout the album, as he artfully weaves clever lyrics with catchy melodies that paint brilliant pictures, break your heart, or make you want to dance.

The album opens with the anthemic “Pass It On,” a bright and beachy invitation to listeners to share whatever it is that’s good in their life. It’s the kind of song that immediately turns a day around or a frown upside down, making it the perfect song to introduce the album. “What good is your dollar or your love or your bottle // If you keep it all to yourself // There’s enough to go around // So send it on down,” Hurd sings. “‘Cause you can’t take it with you when you’re gone // So pass it on, pass it on, pass it on.”

While it may seem out of place for a kid from Michigan to embrace the beachy musical tones that are often heard from the likes of Jake Owen or Kenny Chesney (name dropped on this album), those themes come just as natural to Hurd, and are absolutely authentic. Tracks like “Coast,” “June,  July, August,” and “Palm Trees in Ohio” continue that homage to the coastal life on the shores of Lake Michigan that filled Hurd’s childhood.

While the album is truly filled with standout tracks, one such highlight is “Palm Trees in Ohio.” The love song puts a unique spin on the idea of loving someone forever, putting Palm trees in Ohio up there with pigs flying and hell freezing. “‘Til there’s palm trees in Ohio // No traffic in LA // No snow in Colorado // No cold beer on a Saturday,” Hurd proclaims. “When the Great Lakes run out of water // When the sky stops turning blue // That’s when I // That’s when I // That’s when I’m gonna stop loving you.”

While Hurd shines on the tropical-tinted up-tempos, he’s just as convincing on the slower tracks, including the sultry duet “Chasing After You” with his wife, Maren Morris. “What Are You Drinking” and “The Knife or the Hatchet” are other album highlights. On the former, a moody piano ballad, Hurd wonders what an ex is drinking, curious if she’s celebrating with champagne or drowning her sorrows in a glass of something stronger. 

Likewise, “The Knife or the Hatchet” is a shining moment of the album, finding Hurd stuck in relationship limbo, unsure if his heart should stay or go. “Anything’s better than you and me living in the in-between,” He croons, his voice breaking with emotion. “So all I ask is// Twist the knife// Or bury the hatchet.”

Meanwhile, on “If I Had Two Hearts,” Hurd is admitting defeat and wondering how to move on after a relationship ends. The guy is broken and wishing for another heart to heal from its brokenness. “If I had two hearts // One wouldn’t be broken // If I had two hearts,” He admits. “One would still be mine // On my sleeve out in the open // Knowing someday I’d be fine // But if I had one more to give you baby // I know what’s I’d do // Oh-oh-oh // Oh-oh-oh // I’d let you break that one too.”

For Ryan Hurd, each song on Pelago is a story in itself. “Writing’s my vocation, and I enjoy the people I work with,” says the singer-songwriter in a recent statement. “I’ve learned there are a lot of ways to do this. But then there’s the personal. As I move through life, every experience, every person, every story could be a song.”

While it would be easy for Ryan Hurd to make a living as a writer, evidenced by his ever-growing and impressive body of work, he’s even more magical as an artist. These songs and stories are uniquely his, making Pelago a personal and powerful debut album.

Pelago Track List:

  1. Pass It On
  2. Coast
  3. Chasing After You (with Maren Morris)
  4. June, July, August
  5. Palm Trees in Ohio
  6. If I Had Two Hearts
  7. Tab with My Name on It
  8. What Are You Drinking
  9. Hell Is an Island
  10. The Knife or the Hatchet
  11. I Never Said I’m Sorry

Our  Picks:

  1. Palm Trees in Ohio
  2. If I Had Two Hearts
  3. The Knife or the Hatchet
Ryan-Hurd-album-pelago-debut

Ryan Hurd’s debut album ‘Pelago’ is officially 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 Ryan Hurd releases.

To keep up with Ryan Hurd, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Pelago 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.

willie-lock-new-song

Willie Lock Releases Emotive New Song “My Brother”

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Willie Lock’s new song “My Brother” is out today, October 15th, on all streaming platforms. Learn more about the brand new track below.

“My Brother” is a solo-write by local NYC artist Willie Lock. Lock shared that he wrote the song “after hearing the news that a close friend had passed. It is my tribute to a great person, and the most personal song I have ever released”. 

While so personal to Lock, “My Brother” is also incredibly relatable to anyone that has ever lost someone close to them too soon. It’s about someone you grew up with and shared so many early memories with that helped shape your life. It is a beautiful tribute to a dear friend and you can feel the power of their friendship through Lock’s delivery. 

“I’m talking about you and me // Bud lights on the eighteenth tee // And shots of whiskey in Tennessee // Best Friends in the seventh grade // To best man at your wedding day // We said we’d always be there for eachother // Even though we ain’t related // and even though you didn’t make it // You’ll always be // You’ll always be my brother”

The song follows his last release back in February, “Bad Things”, a song about that person that you know isn’t good for you, yet you keep going back to them.

Lock has played several shows in New York City and across Long Island. For our local followers, you may know him as the frontman for Mean Machine or one half of Sunrise Highway. He has plays often plays at local venues like The Inn (Long Beach), Salt Shack (Babylon), Dublin Deck (Patchogue), Dockers (The Hampton) and Red Lion, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Delancey in NYC.

Recently, Lock announced that would be hosting a new series, ‘Songwriter Sunday’ with the Queensfolk collective in Astoria at Sek’end Sun – a writers’ round happening once a month which features New York-based songwriters. He is looking to start more writing rounds around NYC as well.

willie-lock-new-song

Willie Lock drops his brand new song “My Brother,” out today.

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

To keep up with Willie Lock, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“My Brother” 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.

kelly-clarkson-christmas-album

Here Is Kelly Clarkson’s Holiday Album: ‘When Christmas Comes Around’

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Kelly Clarkson’s brand new Christmas album, When Christmas Comes Around is out now, October 15th on all streaming platforms. Check out the details and listen to the brand new music below.

Kelly Clarkson’s ninth studio album is officially here. The crossover superstar releases her second holiday album, When Christmas Comes Around, out today. The record features fifteen thoughtfully-crafted songs, including her most recent original, “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You).”

When Christmas Comes Around is a great mixture of Christmas songs we know and love, as well as, tasteful and sassy originals. The record features Clarkson’s rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and a killer duet with Ariana Grande on “Santa, Can’t You Hear Me.” It is fair to say that Clarkson puts us all in the holiday spirit with her insane vocals and talent! Check out the track list and listen to the full-length record below.

When Christmas Comes Around Track List

  1. Merry Christmas Baby (Kelly Clarkson, Jesse Shatkin)
  2. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Meredith Wilson)
  3. Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You) (Kelly Clarkson, Jason Halbert, Jessi Collins)
  4. Merry Christmas (T0 the One I Used to Know) (Kelly Clarkson, Aben Eubanks)
  5. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (Johnny Marks)
  6. Glow (Kelly Clarkson, Danja, Hayley Halbert Warner, Jesse Thomas)
  7. Santa Baby (Joan Javits, Phillip Springer)
  8. Santa, Can’t You Hear Me with Ariana Grande
  9. Last Christmas (George Michael)
  10. Jingle Bell Rock (Joseph Beal, James Ross Boothe)
  11. Blessed (Kelly Clarkson, Jason Halbert, Lindy Robbins, Toby Gad)
  12. Christmas Come Early
  13. Under the Mistletoe with Bret Eldredge (Kelly Clarkson, Aben Eubanks)
  14. All I Want for Christmas Is You (Andy Stone, Troy Powers)
  15. Christmas Eve (Kelly Clarkson, Jason Halbert)
kelly-clarkson-christmas-album

Kelly Clarkson’s brand new holiday album, ‘When Christmas Comes Around’ 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 Kelly Clarkson releases.

To keep up with Kelly Clarkson, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

When Christmas Comes Around 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.

Chase Rice Releases Brand New Song “If I Were Rock & Roll”

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Chase Rice’s new song “If I Were Rock & Roll,” is out today, October 8th, on all streaming platforms. Learn more about the brand new track below.

Just a few months after his single with Florida Georgia Line, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen,” hit the number one spot on the charts, Chase Rice is ready to give fans a new side of his artistry. Today, the singer-songwriter released a brand new, reflective song called “If I Were Rock & Roll.”

The new song is all about vulnerability and authenticity. The singer steps away from his full-production sound in favor of country music storytelling. “If I Were Rock & Roll” is a song full of relational regret and “should ofs.” Furthermore, the song marks the first time Rice has recorded a song that he has written completely independently.

“If I were rock & roll // I’d be a middle finger in your face // If I were a lost soul // I’d be in church more than just Sundays // and if for some reason // I was Jesus // I’d have a lot of forgiving to do // And if I weren’t a fool // Girl, I’d still be with you”

Rice’s new release is a changing of the tides for the singer in some regards. It will be interesting to see if his next chapter of his artistry continues to evolve in the same direction!

Chase Rice's new song, "If I Were Rock & Roll" is out now, October 8th

Chase Rice’s new song, “If I Were Rock & Roll” is out now, October 8th

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

To keep up with Chase Rice, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“If I Were Rock & Roll” 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.

Conner Smith Releases Fan-Favorite New Track “I Hate Alabama”

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Conner Smith’s new song “I Hate Alabama” is out today, October 8th, on all streaming platforms. Learn more about the brand new track below.

We do not say this lightly, but Conner Smith is one of the artists we are most excited about lately. In just a few months, he has made us a true believer in his artistry. He has blown us away with each of his previous releases, including his debut singles and most recently, “Take It Slow.” Today, the singer-songwriter released his viral, fan-favorite song “I Hate Alabama.”

The slow-burn begins as the ultimate disdain towards Alabama Crimson Red Football team, but after one listen, fans will know that it is definitely not just that. Smith pours his heart out, sharing that the reason he truly hates Alabama is because he got his heart broken. Even Alabama-natives can understand that!

“They get us every season // I wish I could say that’s the only reason // that I hate Alabama // I hate Crimson Red // And I hate how they yell ‘roll tide’ when I got a Braves hat on my head // and I love Lynyrd Skynyrd, but lord I hate sweet home // ‘Cause when I hear it all I see // is a girl with houndstooth on // in the stands of Tuscaloosa”

The song conveys true-artistry in every way. Smith proves with each and every release that he is the real deal. Fans of both traditional and modern-day country music are sure to flock to the singer-songwriter in droves! For more from Smith, check our exclusive interview and performance with the singer-songwriter live from New York City in the video below.

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

To keep up with Conner Smith, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

“I Hate Alabama” 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.