Blog Archives

Noah Hicks: ‘Tripping Over My Boots’ – EP Review

September 30, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Noah Hicks’ EP, Tripping Over My Boots, is out now, September 30th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

For Georgia native Noah Hicks, his new EP, out today, is both an introduction and a way for fans to get to know him even better. “Tripping Over My Boots is a collection of songs that I thought were very me, and that fans would get excited for,” Hicks shares in a statement. “It’s for folks like me, people who grew up how I did, and individuals with the same mindset; making the best of life by living it up and not taking any day for granted.”

On the six-song collection, a follow-up to his I Can Tell You’re Small Town EP, the singer-songwriter co-wrote each track, sharing his roots, his personality, and his hopes and dreams. Recently named Billboard’s “Country Rookie of The Month,” the RED Creative Records artist has been gaining fans and accolades since initially bursting on the scene in 2018.

The EP’s title track is a clear standout, as Hicks approaches a girl he’s interested in. On the twangy mid-tempo, he’s stumbling over himself to impress her, admittedly tripping over his boots. “I wrote this song as the ideal way of how I would like to meet my next girl,” He muses. “I don’t write anything that isn’t true to me in some regard. When I am in writing sessions, and I hear something that I connect with… I get fired up.”

He continues to show his romantic side on “Making Up My Mind,” where he tells listeners about his dream girl. “I’m sure a lot of people can relate to the revolving door of dating with dating apps and all that,” He says. “Honestly, I just got kind of tired of it. This song is basically what I’d love to have in a perfect world.”

“You’re lookin’ like an angel in the mornin’ light // With your halo hair and your kiss me eyes // Ain’t no way that I could say no // When you’re whisperin’, baby, baby don’t go // ‘Tween layin’ right here and lovin’ on you // Slippin’ out the sheets, slippin’ on my boots // I don’t even have to think twice // You’re pretty good at makin’ up my mind”

“Creek Don’t Rise” is an ode to country romance, with a stomping second half that’s perfect for a live show, as Hicks invites a girl to escape a crowded bar in favor of the great outdoors. “That moon will be shining up in the sky,” He sings. “We’ll dance to a little Dixieland delight…Ooh beneath the cottonwood tree, ooh I bet you and me, will be falling in love by the end of the night, Good lord willing and the creek don’t rise.”

Hicks also channels his inner Walker Hayes on “Breaking Up & Getting Drunk,” which finds him moving on from a broken heart with a bottle of something strong. With a catchy whistle and country beats, he muses that “They go together like Coke and Rum, breaking up and getting drunk.”

Lastly, Hicks isn’t afraid to get back to his roots and celebrate his boots on songs like “Different Boots” and “Back Home Buds.” On the latter, he sings an ode to the hometown pals who know him best, and can ground him and bring him back down to Earth. When he’s with them, it’s the same small-town gossip and familiarity he’s always known, while “Different Boots” celebrates how people are all the same, no matter where they may be from. “We may have different boots, but at the end of the day, we’re all the same.”

For a small-town Georgia boy like Noah Hicks, a career in country music once seemed impossible, but it’s tracks like those on Tripping Over My Boots that have endeared him to country music fans. “I never thought being a singer was even possible, I intended to do what everyone else did,” Hicks reveals. “I’ve worked farms, built fences, tended cows, tinted windows, but becoming an artist was always just a dream. Now I’m blessed to call it my job.

Noah Hicks – Tripping Over My Boots EP Tracklist:

Breaking Up & Getting Drunk (Noah Hicks, Hunter Phelps, Will Bundy, Jeremy Stover)
Creek Don’t Rise (Noah Hicks, Hunter Phelps, Will Bundy, Jeremy Stover)
Different Boots (Noah Hicks, Hunter Phelps, Will Bundy, Jeremy Stover)
Making Up My Mind (Noah Hicks, Hunter Phelps, Will Bundy, Jeremy Stover)
Tripping Over My Boots (Noah Hicks, Jordan Minton, Will Bundy)
Back Home Buds (Noah Hicks, Brad Clawson, Will Bundy)

Noah Hicks drops his brand new EP, ‘Tripping Over My Boots,’ out now.

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

For tour dates and more about Noah Hicks, visit his official website.

To keep up with Noah Hicks, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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

Ben Burgess: ‘Tears the Size of Texas’ – Debut Album Review

September 30, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Ben Burgess’ debut album, Tears the Size of Texas is out now, September 30th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

While you may not know the name Ben Burgess just yet, chances are incredibly high that you know a song he’s written. With a career honed on Austin’s famed 6th Street, the Dallas native co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s #1 hit, “Whiskey Glasses,” as well as Tyler Rich’s “The Difference,” Pat Green’s “Drinkin’ Days,” HARDY’s “SIGNED, SOBER YOU,” and many more.

After a stint in Los Angeles spent writing pop songs, where he had a song cut by The Jonas Brothers, the Dallas native headed to Nashville where he signed with Big Loud Records in 2020, releasing his first single, “Tears the Size of Texas,” earlier this year. Today, September 30, the rising star releases his debut album of the same name, featuring ten new tracks co-written by Burgess, alongside the likes of Josh Kerr, Brandy Clark, Ashley Gorley, Jacob Davis, and more.

Despite all his successes as a writer, his debut album almost didn’t happen. “I’d given up on the dream of being an artist,” Burgess admits. “I always wanted to do it and felt like I could, but the pieces never aligned.” However, once he realized that there were few who could sing his songs as well as he could, Burgess decided to continue his musical journey.

As an artist, Burgess is pursuing a sound that is uniquely his own, mixing hints of Texas country with nostalgic tales that he hopes will provide listeners with “three or four-minute movies.” This is especially evident on songs like “Kill a Man,” “Jackson,” and the album’s title track, “Tears the Size of Texas.”

“Jackson,” co-written by Burgess, Clark, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jesse Frasure, is an immediate standout, offering a male version of the Dolly Parton classic “Jolene.” It may be the only song where Burgess is less than confident, begging “Jackson” not to take his girl.

“Oh Jackson // Keep your money // Keep your mansion // Keep your tall blonde and handsome // Away from Her // Oh Jackson // Take my daddy’s old guitar // My Best bird dog and my favorite bar and my whole world // Just don’t take my girl”

Meanwhile, he sets the stage as a cowboy full of bravado, warning a girl not to get too close on “Tears the Size of Texas.” “Baby, I’ve always been a cowboy // Just my guitar, my horses and gun,” He admits. “Like the movies I leave with the settin’ sun // And If I was you, baby, I’d run.”

On “High Road,” he shows a lighter side, suggesting partaking in Willie Nelson’s favorite pastime as opposed to drinking, while “Kill a Man” shows his clever lyrics at his finest. His ex has moved on and he wishes her well, but he muses, “I don’t want to know his name // ‘Cause I don’t wanna kill a man.”

And while “Started a Band” and “When We Die” offer booming and anthemic moments, heartache runs rampant on Tears, weaving its way through songs like “White Picket Fence,” “When We Die,” and “Heartbreak.” The latter is one of the album’s most radio-ready singles, a two-stepping ode to the fact that “heartbreak makes the world go ‘round.” Likewise, “White Picket Fence” is another lyrical gem, as Burgess warns that perfection can’t be built on a shaky foundation.

“No never build a white picket fence // Around a house of cards // ‘Cause, the first time that the wind blows babe // The whole thing’s gonna fall apart // So, let’s get out while we both still got a chance // Before our first kiss and our first dance // And a white picket fence.”

A different kind of heartbreak befalls the album’s final track, “Ain’t Got No Phone,” which finds Burgess and his family mourning the death of his father in their own ways. On the sparse and haunting track, he mourns the sad fact that “Heaven ain’t got no phone.”

For Ben Burgess, Tears the Size of Texas is an introduction to an artist who is unapologetically himself. “We can tell these stories and bring people into these worlds and give it more of a world and sound,” he says of the album, which he can’t wait to take on the road. “I want the live show to stay true to the recording because we got the best of the best in the studio,” He says. “I’m so excited to see where the music goes and what happens from here. Because right now, it’s as good as it gets.”

Ben Burgess – Tears the Size of Texas Track List:

Tears the Size of Texas (writers: Ben Burgess, Josh Kerr)
White Picket Fence (writers: Ben Burgess, Kevin Kadish)
When We Die (writers: Ben Burgess, Josh Kerr)
Jackson (writers: Ben Burgess, Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure)
High Road (writers: Ben Burgess, Ryan Beaver, Kevin Kadish, Randy Montana)
Heartbreak (writers: Ben Burgess, Jacob Durrett, Ashley Gorley)
Kill A Man (writers: Ben Burgess, Kevin Kadish)
Sick and Tired (writers: Ben Burgess, Jacob Davis, Josh Kerr)
Started A Band (writers: Ben Burgess, Chris LaCorte, Hunter Phelps)
Ain’t Got No Phone (written by Ben Burgess)

Country Swag Picks:

Heartbreak
Jackson
Started a Band

Ben Burgess’ debut album, ‘Tears the Size of Texas’ is out now.

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

Ben Burgess is currently touring with Warren Zeiders, and will make a stop at NYC’s Irving Plaza on October 27.

To keep up with the rising star, visit his official website or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter.

Ben Burgess’ new album, Tears the Size of Texas, is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Adam Doleac: ‘Barstool Whiskey Wonderland’ – Debut Album Review

September 30, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Adam Doleac’s debut album, Barstool Whiskey Wonderland is out now, September 30th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With hits like “Whiskey’s Fine,” “Famous,” and “Coulda Loved You Longer,” it’s almost hard to believe that Barstool Whiskey Wonderland is Adam Doleac’s debut album. Yet, the singer-songwriter’s eighteen-track collection with Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville is his first full-length offering.

For the Mississippi native who’s been in Nashville for almost a decade, the album marks the culmination of his lifelong dream. Having co-written all but one of the album’s tracks, Doleac is ready to fully make his mark on the genre. “It feels long overdue, and it’s the first time people can really see the whole me,” the singer-songwriter reveals. “An album is a cool thing. It allows you to tell a little bit more of your story, as opposed to just people knowing a song and not knowing you.”

Inspired by the likes of John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, and Amos Lee, there’s an emotional singer-songwriter-meets-country-troubadour that lies within Barstool Whiskey Wonderland. It’s a unique blend that Doleac hopes to establish him as way more than just a flash-in-the-pan artist. “I love things that are timeless and stuff that sticks around,” he says in a statement. “I’m not chasing whatever the newest trend is gonna be for the next six months. And I love that comment when people come over and say ‘I don’t like country, but I love your stuff.’”

Throughout Barstool Whiskey Wonderland, the singer-songwriter flexes his vocal cords, full of soul and grit as he weaves through sad songs and party anthems. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the album’s lush title track, which finds him wondering about a lost love and dealing with the “what-ifs?” of a failed relationship.

Likewise, the album’s opening track, “Don’t It Sound Alright” immediately sets the tone for who Doleac is as an artist. With a soulful and rich tone that’s a unique mix of Gary LeVox meets Gavin DeGraw, his voice immediately draws listeners into his world. “Take me down where the boat meets the water // Where the sun sinks down on a line and a bobber,” He drawls over crooning guitars. “Sitting in a truck bed, sipping red wine // Don’t it sound, don’t it sound alright, yeah.”

Over the album’s eighteen tracks, Doleac tackles everything from drinking and party anthems to love lost and love found. He shines on the romantic tracks, including ‘Til Dawn Do Us Part,” “Fast Asleep,” “Another,” and “Girl in Love.” While he celebrates the fact that “there ain’t nothing like a girl in love” on the latter, “Another” is one of the album’s most moving standouts. During the pandemic, Doleac spent a lot of time with his now fiance, which is reflected on this wedding-song-ready track.

“Every smile, every kiss, every second that I get // Every little look you give me like that // Every night, every day, every memory that we make // Baby, you ain’t even gotta ask // I’ll always want another dance // Another chance to hold your hand // Yeah, from the second that we fell into each other // Knew I was never gonna ever wanna // Never ever gonna want another // Knew I was never ever gonna wanna // Never ever gonna wanna // Another smile, sleepy eyes, waking up right next to me // A million more just like last night // You and me on repeat”

One of the album’s immediate standouts is “Where Country Music Comes From,” a slow-burning countrified ballad about the inspirations behind our favorite country songs. “I think I know what King George was singing ‘bout,” He muses. “Guys like me, girls like you // That’s where country music comes from // Stars like that, nights like these // Turning real life into love songs // That’s where country music comes from.”

The sole song not co-written by Doleac is “Fake Love,” a dreamy duet with Danielle Bradbery penned by HARDY, Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris, and Jordan Schmidt. On the destined-to-be-a-wedding song track, the pair trade verses about a love that’s anything from fake.

“This ain’t that, that ain’t us // We got truth, we got trust // You know that it’s the real thing // When it wraps its arms around you,” they sing. “I’ve been there, down that road // Trying to feel something I don’t // But it’s been fading in the rearview since the moment that I found you // Now I get it, you can make it // You can fall in it // But you can’t just // Fake love”

While Doleac can slow things down with the best of them, it’s not all ballads on his debut. “Drinkin’ It Wrong” is a fun how-to manual for a good time, while “Close That Tab” is an uber-clever lyrical break-up song. “That’s a breakup-with-your-shitty boyfriend song,” Doleac says with a laugh. “I think a lot of people date the wrong person. And when they do, they do it for like six months too long!” Here, he asks “Why you wanna spend another happy hour sad?,” reminding a girl that her current beau is nothing more than “a watered down vodka soda.”

On “Holy Jeans,” he sings an ode to a pair of ripped jeans he can’t help but admire, while “Hey Drink,” offers another clever lyric, wondering if a drink could have an effect on his ex like it does him. “Why can’t you make her miss me // The way that I miss her?” He asks. “Why can’t you make her wanna // Show up at my front door // Make her think what she had is all she needs // Hey drink, why can’t you work on her // The way you work on me?”

“Neon Fools” and “What Kinda Night” are other songs that show Doleac’s fun side, with the latter finding him wondering where a night will take him.

“Do you wanna get way gone or tipsy // A glass of wine or a shot of whiskey // Call your friends, tell ‘em all we’re busy // What kinda night, what kinda night // Which way do ya wanna take it // How far do you wanna go, yeah // How late do you wanna make it // Girl, I gotta know // Are you a night to remember // Night to forget // Best night of my life that hadn’t happened yet”

“I spend a lot of time wondering if I’m doing life right, and think others do that, too,” Doleac explains in a statement. “That’s kind of what this whole era leading up to this record has been like, just trying to figure it out. But now I know. What I want people to hear is the first full idea of what Adam Doleac sounds like. I want people to hear it and think ‘That’s the sound, that’s him.’”

For Adam Doleac, Barstool Whiskey Wonderland may be his debut album, but it’s a solid body of work that is sure to establish him as one of country music’s most consistent and talented singer-songwriters.

Adam Doleac – Barstool Whiskey Wonderland Track List:

Don’t It Sound Alright (Adam Doleac/Josh Jenkins/Chris La Corte)
Where Country Music Comes From (Adam Doleac/Eric Arjes/Chris Gelbuda)
Barstool Whiskey Wonderland (Adam Doleac/Lindsay Rimes/Jonathan Singleton)
Drinkin’ It Wrong (Adam Doleac/Cary Barlowe/Jordan)
Close That Tab (Adam Doleac/Zach Abend/Derrick Southerland)
Til Dawn Do Us Part (Adam Doleac/Rian Ball/Ben Caver)
Fake Love feat. Danielle Bradbery (HARDY/Ryan Hurd/Maren Morris/Jordan Schmidt)
Fast Asleep (Adam Doleac/Jon Nite/Jordan Schmidt)
Another (Adam Doleac/Kyle Jacobs/Trannie Anderson)
Girl in Love (Adam Doleac/Jared Keim/Derrick Southerland)
Hey Drink (Adam Doleac/Paul DiGiovanni/John Pierce)
Way Over You (Adam Doleac/Michael Carlisle/Frank Legeay)
Holy Jeans (Adam Doleac/Ben Simonetti/Fred Wilhelm)
Somewhere Cool with You (Adam Doleac/Josh Jenkins/Matt Jenkins/Jared Keim
What Kinda Night (Adam Doleac/Chris DeStefano/Josh Osborne)
Coulda Loved You Longer (Adam Doleac/Casey Brown/Jesse Lee Levin)
Neon Fools (Adam Doleac/Thomas Finchum/Andy Skib)
Famous (Adam Doleac/Bobby Hamrick/Andy Skib)

Country Swag Picks:

Barstool Whiskey Wonderland
Close That Tab
Where Country Music Comes From
What Kinda Night

Adam Doleac’s debut album, ‘Barstool Whiskey Wonderland’ is out now.

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

For more information and tour dates, visit Adam Doleac’s official website.

To keep up with Adam Doleac, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

Who Are The Young Fables? The Story Behind Their Journey to Country Music

September 27, 2022/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

Who are The Young Fables? The country duo joined us to chat about their journey to country music. Get to know the rising stars here…

Quick Facts:

Full Name – The Young Fables (Laurel Wright & Wes Lunsford)
Birthdate – Laurel: 9/14 + Wes: 12/9
Hometown – Maryville, Tennessee
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell
Current Single – “Wonder If We Did”

The Beginning:

Today we shine our spotlight on a country music duo that you are going to want to add to your music catalog ASAP! The Young Fables, comprised of Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford are an incredible male/female duo, who were born to make music together.

Despite not knowing each other, both Laurel and Wes grew up in East Tennessee in a town called Maryville. For Laurel, singing has always been her passion. “I’ve been pretty much singing my whole life, since I was three or four years old. I picked up the guitar when I was ten, wrote my first song, and just kind of played every hometown gig I could get.” She recalls always being interested in country music.

On the other hand, Wes had a different musical upbringing. “I grew up in the same place, but I never really listened to country music,” he began. “I got a guitar, I was probably like 13 or 14, and I just played rock and roll, Metallica, whatever songs I liked. When I was 19, I got really into Jazz music, and I did that for a little while. And I went to China to play and while I was over there for some reason, I started to listen to country.”

While their musical journeys were distinctly different, they ran in similar crowds unknowingly. When Wes came back from China, he finally met Laurel, after a friend called him when their band was in a bind.

“I had this gig coming up and I had this guitar player that didn’t show up the night before the gig at the rehearsal, and it was just a nightmare,” shared Laurel. “I had this drummer, because I was a solo artist at the time, playing with a full band, and he calls Wes one of his buddies.”

The Turning Point:

“About a year and a half into that, we started the duo,” added Wes. The Young Fables were officially born. “We did everything backwards, played together, and then kind of fell in love.”

The Young Fables is a conglomerate of musical influences from both Laurel and Wes. While Laurel has always found inspiration in musical acts like Pasty Cline and Loretta Lynn, Wes loves Jazz music and Rock; however, he shared that he credits Glen Campbell for his introduction to country music.

As a duo, The Young Fables is a unique Country-Americana band. “The duo is my vocal with Wes’ guitar. […] Wes brings so many different elements to what I do that make up the sound,” shared Laurel.

After playing together for a bit of time, The Young Fables finally moved to Nashville to continue to pursue their dreams as a country music duo and as songwriters.

Today:

Currently, The Young Fables third studio album, Pages is slated for release this Friday (9/30). “This is our third record and between this record and our last record, it’s been two years, and during this time, we’ve written 60 songs that we were actively choosing what could be on the record,” shared the duo.

The record speaks to experiences the duo went through over time. Laurel vulnerably shared that she suffered the loss of her younger sister and her father over a short period of time.

“Whatever my possible meaning of life could be to maybe help others who have gone through the same thing. I was almost called to write that stuff and my experiences […] It was really important for me to put songs on the record that reflect that,” shared the songstress.

The duo later shared, “This record has a little bit of everything. We’ve got the song about my sister and all the questions I have for God, and a song about my dad […] Then we have songs about love, songs that are fun, songs about Wes and I. […] It’s the pages of my life, and that’s why the record is called pages.”

Fans can already listen to the current single, “Wonder If We Did,” which is out now “We wrote this song during a not-so-good time in our life. We just wanted to write a happy, fun song,” they shared.

In addition to touring the music, fans can anticipate a screenplay tour, which showcases the documentary The Young Fables created which chronicles the writing process behind their music.

Connect:

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

To keep up with The Young Fables, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The Young Fable’s music 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.

Luke Combs’ “The Kind of Love We Make” is his 14th Number One

September 27, 2022/in Blog, News, Number One Songs /by Erica Zisman

Luke Combs continues his streak of number ones with his 14th song to top the country charts, “The Kind of Love We Make.”

Time and time again, we celebrate Luke Combs’ absolute superstardom. He is one of the best entertainers in country music right now. Continuing his record success, the singer-songwriter has added to his consecutive streak of hit songs. This week, Combs’ latest song “The Kind of Love We Make” marks his 14th number one single at country radio.

In just a few short months, “The Kind of Love We Make” catapulted to the top of the country radio charts. The beautiful love song is one of those romantic songs that fans love to get from Combs. Written by Combs with Jamie Davis, Dan Isbell, and Reid Isbell, the romantic mid-tempo song is the perfect track to add to the singer’s impressive catalog.

“Let’s get some candles burning and some records turning // All the lights down low, take it nice and slow // The way your body’s moving, keep doing what you’re doing // To me all night long writing our love song // Girl, I want it, gotta have it // Let the passion take us to a higher place // Making the kind of love we make // The kind of love we make”

Fans can catch the number one single and many more on one of Combs’ many upcoming tour dates. Check out his full schedule here.

Join our Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Luke Combs announcements and releases.

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

“The Kind of Love We Make” 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.

Georgia Webster: ‘Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying’ – EP Review

September 23, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Georgia Webster’s EP, Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying, is out now, September 23rd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

Georgia Webster is pure honesty and talent. Her debut EP, First Goodbye was full of songs she wrote by herself during high school. Today, she is displaying a more mature side of herself with songs she co-wrote in Nashville. Her EP, Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying” is officially here.

Keeping with the thread of honesty and personal touches, each of the six songs on the EP still feels ripped straight from Webster’s diary. According to the songstress, “These were some of my first co-writes ever and I’m honored to have gotten to work with Josh Kerr and everyone else on the project!” Webster also expressed excitement over being invited to tour with Kelsea Ballerini on her intimate, ‘HEARTFIRST Tour.’ “I also can’t believe that I get to tour with one of my favorite artists in country music. To be able to tour with and learn from Kelsea is a dream come true.”

We are sure fans will be excited to hear these songs on the upcoming tour. Beginning with the recently released 1-2 punch, “I Hate Phone Calls (Long Distance Sucks)” and “Risk,” Webster puts her feelings out there. On the former, the singer-songwriter expresses how hard long-distance relationships truly are. On, “Risk” featuring Jonathan Hutcherson, Webster’s vocals (and feelings) are on full display. One of our favorites on the project, the song portrays how it feels to end a relationship without any resentment.

“I guess it’s the risk that you take // That your heart’s gonna break when it’s over // And lately I’ve been wondering // If the hurt was with getting to know ya // For all of our good times // I’m spending my nights // Crying alone in my bedroom // I guess it’s the risk that you take // When you love someone like I loved you”

On the contrary, on “X’s,” Webster shares how it feels to be heartbroken. The all-to-relatable tune went viral on TikTok for its likability and catchy hook. The singer cleverly weaves the song lyrics to mean different things, referring to both exes and x’s on her hands. It makes for an enticing and fun song; despite, the melancholy lyric. Another one of our favorites, “John Mayer Songs” showcases clever wordplay too. The singer drops John Mayer song titles throughout the expressive new song.

Webster continues to convey her truth through the last two songs on the record, “Not Sayin'” and “Tattoos.” On “Not Sayin,'” the singer explores the beginnings of a possible relationship. Finally, on “Tattoos,” Webster returns home to her quiet, diary-like nature of her major-label debut. Another standout, “Tattoos” is all about her first love and first heartache.

“You were my // first kiss, first love, first drink, first drunk // first pick-up truck where I said that I loved you // First on my skin, where I almost did // Thank god I never went with you // Thank god we never got tattoos // Thank god we never got tattoos”

With her new EP, Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying, Webster secures her spot as this generation’s relatable queen. Much like Taylor Swift’s hold on millennials, Webster has the ability to do the same thing with her honest and relatable lyrics. This EP is only just the beginning for the future superstar.

Georgia Webster – Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying EP Tracklist:

I Hate Phone Calls (Long Distance Sucks)
Risk feat. Jonathan Hutcherson
X’s
John Mayer Songs
Not Sayin’
Tattoos

Georgia Webster’s new ep, ‘Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying’ is out now.

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

To keep up with Georgia Webster, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Chapter 1: Things We’re Not Saying 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.

Here is Kelsea Ballerini’s New Album: ‘Subject to Change’

September 23, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Kelsea Ballerini’s brand new album, Subject to Change is out now, September 23rd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the full album below.

Country music megastar, Kelsea Ballerini is officially debuting her highly anticipated fourth studio album entitled: Subject to Change. The fifteen-song project is a pop-country masterpiece. Ballerini continues to evolve as both an artist and as a person with each new release.

Throughout Subject to Change, the singer-songwriter collaborates with artists like Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce on the incredible song, “You’re Drunk, Go Home.” She enlists songwriting and production help from greats like Julian Bunetta, Shane McAnally, Alysa Vanderheym, and Jesse Frasure. Ballerini knows how to cultivate an incredible project that her fans are sure to fall in love with.

As the singer’s personal life and professional life evolve, one thing is for certain, her intimate, 10-date ‘HEARTFIRST Tour‘ with Georgia Webster is not to be missed!

Listen to the brand new album below!

Kelsea Ballerini – Subject to Change Track List:

“Subject To Change”
“The Little Things”
“I Can’t Help Myself”
“If You Go Down” (I’m Goin’ Down Too)
“Love Is a Cowboy”
“Muscle Memory”
“I Guess They Call It Fallin’”
“Weather”
“Universe”
“Walk in the Park”
“Heartfirst”
“You’re Drunk, Go Home” ft. Kelly Clarkson & Carly Pearce
“Doin’ My Best”
“Marilyn”
“What I Have”

Kelsea Ballerini’s brand new album “Subject to Change” 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 Kelsea Ballerini releases.

To keep up with Kelsea Ballerini, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Subject to Change 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.

Madeline Merlo: ‘Slide’ – EP Review

September 23, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Madeline Merlo’s new EP, Slide, is out now, September 23rd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

Canadian star, Madeline Merlo is ready to make her name and talent known in the American country music landscape. After winning her episode of the songwriting show, Songland, the singer-songwriter knew she had what it took to up the ante. Today, Merlo drops her new EP, simply titled, Slide.

In just four songs, the songstress manages to showcase her songwriting chops and her killer vocals. The title track, written by Merlo with Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, and Sam Hunt is our first taste of the record. Although originally developed for Hunt, the writers knew the song would be better from a woman’s perspective. Merlo was clearly the right woman for the job.

“Baby I don’t care // It’s me and you, either way,// Let’s watch the night slide into yesterday”

The singer continues to share female stories throughout the EP. On “YOUNG-ish,” Merlo stakes her claim in her womanhood – encouraging all of us to challenge the misconception that everyone’s path should be the same. An anthemic track, Merlo delivers it just as well as anyone in the industry could.

On our favorite song off the project, “Girl Where He Grew Up,” the singer shares an all-too-relatable story about being the girl before the guy gets his stuff together. We all know what it feels like to be the girl before the next. “Girl Where He Grew Up” is a story about teaching a guy how to love his next girlfriend better.

“You can thank me if that boy knows how to love // I’m the girl where he grew up // I bet out of the blue, he tells you you’re pretty // I bet he checks in when he’s out late with his buddy // I bet his eyes don’t wander when he’s drinking a whisky // Yeah he learned it the hard way, the moment he lost me”

The record wraps up with the final song on the project, “I Need A Drink.” Written by the singer with incredible songwriters, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, and Hillary Lindsey, the song is all about the hope we feel when we meet a new love interest. The song is pure, honest, and catchy.

Merlo knocks it out of the park with her Slide EP. Each and every song is methodically placed. It is the perfect introduction for new fans and audiences in American country music.

Madeline Merlo – Slide EP Tracklist:

“Slide” (Madeline Merlo, Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, Sam Hunt)
“YOUNG-ish” (Madeline Merlo, Zach Crowell, Josh Osborne, Jerry Flowers)
“Girl Where He Grew Up” (Madeline Merlo, Nathan Chapman, Jon Nite)
“I Need A Drink” (Madeline Merlo, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey)

Madeline Merlo’s brand new EP, ‘Slide’ is out now.

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

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or Twitter.

Slide 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.

Maddie & Tae: ‘Through the Madness, Vol 2’ – EP Review

September 23, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Maddie & Tae’s new EP, Through the Madness, Vol 2 , out now, September 23rd on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

Just nine months after the January release of their EP, Through the Madness, Volume 1, Maddie & Tae are back with its younger sister, Volume 2. Like on Volume 1, the Mercury Nashville pair co-wrote all of the collection’s eight tracks while also enlisting some of Nashville’s biggest names, including Ryan Hurd, Josh Thompson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jimmy Robbins, and Josh Kerr.

As the gold standard in women’s country harmonies, the duo only further solidifies that position with each subsequent release, and Volume 2 is no exception. Here, they continue to do what they do best: weave classic country storytelling with intrinsic harmonies.

While both Maddie Font and Taylor (Tae) Kerr are happily married, they shine when they’re channeling heartbreak. This is apparent on songs like “These Tears,” “Drinking to Remember,” “Watching Love Leave,” and “Well in Your World.”

“Well in Your World” deals with the pair wondering what happened to a high school sweetheart. The radio-ready mid-tempo finds them in a conundrum of not necessarily missing someone but wondering what happened to them. “I’d be lying if I said I missed you // But I’d be lying if I said you never crossed my mind, sometimes,” They admit. “We’re a thousand miles away from who we were // When we were just a boy and a girl // I hope all is well in your world.”

“These Tears” is a sparse and stunning ballad, the pair harmonizing over simple acoustic and steel guitars, vulnerabilities on full display. “These tears, should’ve been cried long ago,” They sing mournfully, heartbreak evident in every note. “All these years of hanging on is getting old // So I’m letting go. I can’t keep them from falling down // I guess I’m crying them now.”

On “Drinking to Remember,” the pair puts a clever lyrical twist on the idea of drowning one’s sorrows at the bottom of a glass. While most drink to forget, Maddie & Tae are drinking to remember a lost love. “A love like ours is too good to forget,” They muse over a glass of his favorite whiskey. “So I’m drinking to remember.”

In a similar vein, both “Girl After My Own Heart” and “More Than Maybe” are absolute masterpieces, taking classic tropes and turning them on their heads. “Girl After My Own Heart” has the pair warning another woman to stay away from their man. While they can admit that this other woman is “rocking that dress,” she’s “wasting her time wanting what’s mine.” Meanwhile, “More Than Maybe,” has them realizing that a guy in their life isn’t truly reciprocating their love. “How many times can a girl’s heart break?” They ask. “I deserve more than maybe.”

“Every Night Every Morning” is one of the album’s happier moments, telling the tale of falling in love over and over again. Here, they weave patented harmonies over a twangy country melody. “Every night and every morning I fall all over again and again,” They admit on the romantic ballad. “And you don’t even know it // Baby, if you’re wondering when you hold me // If I still feel forever, only Every night and every morning.”

The EP ends with “Spring Cleaning,” an infectiously sassy kick-off tune, laced with hints of 90’s country and inspirations like the Chicks, Gretchen Wilson, and Miranda Lambert. The pair channel their inner Marie Kondo, whom they mention on the track, getting rid of someone who no longer sparks joy in their lives.

“Ooh, you’re taking up space // It’s time to tidy up and take you out my brain // Ooh, what do you see? Cleaning out the closet looks good on me // It ain’t spring, but I’m cleaning house // It ain’t spring, but I’m cleaning out // It ain’t spring, but I’m cleaning house // So, come and get your shit out”

Like Through the Madness Volume 1, this second collection continues to show Maddie & Tae growing and evolving, while also managing to do what they do best. It’s a must-listen for any country music fan, and when listening to the volumes back-to-back, it’s sixteen tracks of harmonic musical bliss.

Through the Madness, Volume 2 EP Tracklist:

“Well In Your World” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Ryan Hurd, Jimmy Robbins)^
“Every Night Every Morning” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Jonathan Singleton, Brock Berryhill)^
“Drinking To Remember” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Benjy Davis, Daniel Ross)^
“Girl After My Own Heart” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)^
“Watching Love Leave” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Benjy Davis, Daniel Ross)^
“More Than Maybe” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jimmy Robbins)^
“These Tears” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Laura Veltz, Jon Green)*
“Spring Cleaning” (Maddie Font, Taylor Kerr, Josh Kerr, Tayla Parx)

Maddie & Tae’s brand new EP, ‘Through the Madness, Vol 2’ is out now.

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

The duo are currently headlining CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour.

To keep up with Maddie & Tae, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Through the Madness Volume 2 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.

Who Is Dylan Marlowe? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

September 20, 2022/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

Who is Dylan Marlowe? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Dylan James Marlowe
Birthdate – 6/9/1997
Hometown – Statesboro, Georgia
Current City – Nashville, Tennesee
Musical Influences – Tracy Lawrence, Keith Whitley, Linkin Park, Nickelback, Kenny Chesney
Label – Play It Again Publishing
Current Single – “Why’d We Break Up Again”

The Beginning:

Today we’re introducing you to a singer-songwriter that is about to blow up! Dylan Marlowe is the real deal. We chatted with the newcomer about his journey to Nashville, his new music, and what he has planned for the rest of the year. Keep reading to find out more.

Marlowe grew up in Statesboro, Georgia, where baseball was his number one passion until music found its way into his heart. “I had a buddy who had a guitar and I didn’t really get into music until my senior year of high school I think, in 2015,” began the singer. “Once I began writing my own music and playing guitar, that’s when I really fell in love,” he continued.

Despite not truly finding his love for making music until his senior year, the singer recalls being a fan of music in general at an early age. “I always liked music,” he shared, adding, “My upbringing was very different musically. My dad used to play drums in like a heavy-metal, Christian-rock band, so he was always very rock and roll and my mom was very country, so I kind of got a hard mix of the two somewhere down the road.”

He credits his parents for his love of artists like Linkin Park and Kenny Chesney. Later, he discovered traditional country music on his own. “When I got into country music, I found old country just on my own and really fell in love with Tracey Lawerence and Keith Whitley and all that stuff,” shared Marlowe. “Then when I discovered Eric Church, it was all over.”

The Turning Point:

Eventually, the singer started taking his passion for music a bit more seriously. “I had a few buddies in Nashville at the time that were from Statesboro and we kind of had this open night mic in town and a couple of the guys had been doing it for a while and they were singing their own stuff. […] I was like I want to sing songs that I wrote that other people sing back to me. That kind of sparked that songwriter side of me.”

Despite considering a future in music, Marlowe still went to college for one year, and subsequently, worked for his father for the next two years. It was at the encouragement of his Dad, that he finally gave music a fair shot. “He was the one who said ‘man are you going to work with me forever or are you going to go there and do what you want to be doing’.”

Now, Marlowe has officially been a Nashville resident for four years, cutting his teeth on the happening singer-songwriter, country scene. As fate would have it, the singer also scored his first number one as a songwriter this year with the Jon Pardi single, “Last Night Lonely.”

“I was going to cut it. It was supposed to be one of my first songs, and I told all the publishers not to pitch it, and one of them accidentally did, and they were like Jon Pardi wants to cut it and potentially single it,” shared the singer, admitting that it was a crazy moment in his young career.

Today:

Flash forward to now, Marlowe is now sharing music of his own. Most recently, the singer-songwriter released a high-energy song called “Why’d We Break Up Again.” “The song is a fun song for sure. I didn’t even think I was going to put it out when we wrote it […] It kind of has this pop-punk element to it in a way, but when I went on tour in the spring it kind of opened my eyes to a lot.”

According to the singer, fans want energy and a fun set. “I feel like, in my opinion, if you’re not giving crazy energy for thirty minutes, why would those people come out to see you?,” adding later, “I have to do my best to win everybody over.”

Marlowe anticipates another uptempo song coming out soon too; however, after that, he is excited to put out slower music that he is also proud of. “I definitely have songs [coming] that are more ‘songwriter-y’, drawing from my Eric Church influence.”

As we await more music, catch Marlowe on tour with Cole Swindell this fall.

Connect:

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

To keep up with Dylan Marlowe, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

Dylan Marlowe’s music 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.