Brett Kissel New Song “Make A Life, Not A Living”

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Brett Kissel’s brand new song “Make A Life, Not A Living” is available now, March 5th, everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

A major success already in his home country of Canada, Brett Kissel looks to have the same impact on country music in the states. His charismatic personality, energetic stage presence, and talented music style has led him to the top of Canadian country music charts, with two Gold-certified albums, a Platinum single, eight Gold Singles, and 15 top-10 radio hits. 

Between 2019 and 2020, Kissel took home several awards including the JUNO Award (the equivalent to an American GRAMMY) for Country Album of the Year for We Were That Song, and won the Canadian Country Music Association’s (CCMA) Fan’s Choice Award, Male of the Year, and Album of the Year. This was Kissel’s second JUNO Award, his first being for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2014, which made him the first country artist to take home the title in 17 years, the last being Shania Twain.

The talented singer-songwriter joined us back in 2019 for an interview and acoustic performance. Check it out in the video below.

Today, Kissel introduces fans to a brand new song, “Make A Life, Not A Living”, the first single off Kissel’s forthcoming album, What Is Life?, due out April 9th. The song is about filling your life with experiences and moments with the people you love and not determining your life’s value by dollar amounts and materialistic items. It’s a reminder to be happy with all that you do have and to not worry about what you don’t. When it comes down to it, you can’t take anything with you when you go so you might as well spend your time focused on making a life, not a living.  

“I’m good with what the good Lord’s given / dirt under my boots, and the air i’m breathing / Lose every penny, I’d still be winning / I’m tryna make a life, not a living”

Brett Kissel’s “Make A Life, Not A Living” is available everywhere now, March 5th

Brett Kissel’s “Make A Life, Not A Living” is available everywhere now, March 5th

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

To keep up with Brett Kissel, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Make A Life, Not a Living” 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.

Robert Counts Releases “What Do I Know” Featuring HARDY

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Robert Counts re-released his debut radio single “What Do I Know” with HARDY, available now March 5th on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

Back in December, we introduced you to one of Sony Music Nashville’s newest singer-songwriters, Robert Counts, in one of our Swag Spotlight features. The budding musician had just released his debut single, “What Do I Know” to country radio, a song he wrote with one of our favorites, HARDY, and the talented, Jake Mitchell. Today, Counts and his label are re-releasing the jam this time and shaking things up a bit by adding HARDY to the song.

“What Do I Know” is one of those songs that you just know is meant for radio. Counts came out swinging with this tune, introducing fans to his country roots and his knack for songwriting. Of course, it is obvious that HARDY had a hand in the songwriting. Similar to HARDY’s songs “UNAPOLOGETICALLY COUNTRY AS HELL” and “WHERE YA AT” off of his debut album A ROCK, “What Do I Know” is just an extension of his songwriting genius.

“Say what you think / Think ‘fore you speak / Don’t kill nothin’ that you ain’t gonna eat / You learn from the dirt what the street can’t teach / That backward philosophy / Hell, it still means a lot to me / But what do I know?”

Robert Count’s “What Do I Know” ft. HARDY is available everywhere now, March 5th

Robert Count’s “What Do I Know” ft. HARDY is available everywhere now, March 5th

The twosome take turns singing the verses before they jam out together on the last chorus. In a post on Instagram, Counts shares “This song is really about how some of the simplest pieces of advice you get growing up, especially as a kid in the south, tend to stand the test of time and be pretty solid words to live by even as an adult.”

We’d say that that is a pretty good summary of all that the song has to offer. Congrats to Counts and HARDY on the awesome tune!

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

To keep up with Robert Counts, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
To keep up with HARDY follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“What Do I Know” 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.

CMA Fest 2021 Is Officially Canceled, Will Return 2022

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For the second year in a row, CMA Fest is forced to cancel due to the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event is set to return in 2022.

The Country Music Association released an official statement today, March 2:

“After thoughtful deliberation, we are saddened to share that CMA FEST will not take place in 2021. We know our fans near and far have hoped that the festival could safely return this summer, and while we are encouraged to see COVID-19 vaccines becoming more widely available, we still face several challenges that prevent us from bringing our fans around the world the CMA FEST experience they have come to expect. But rest assured, we have already started planning what will be the most epic celebration of Country music next summer. Mark your calendars for CMA FEST, JUNE 9-12, 2022!”

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming CMA Fest news in the coming weeks.

Our Favorite Viral Country Songs from TikTok

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TikTok is full of talented budding artists with millions of followers. Lately, we have noticed that many country songs have gone viral just before their release. Check out a few of our favorites below and let us know how your list matches up with ours.

“Villain”- Lily Rose

“You can be the hero, I can take the fall / If that’s how your story goes, say it’s all my fault / Whatever helps you sleep at night / Yeah, you can make me the bad guy”

Named one of our 2021 Artists to Watch, Lily Rose rose to stardom on TikTok, building a community of loyal fans almost instantly. Staying true to herself and her personal story, “Villain” is the perfect introduction to Rose’s budding talent. The new soulful tune is the perfect track for anyone that is feeling like the “bad guy” after a break-up.

To keep up with Lily Rose, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“Jealous Of The Sky”- Ashley Cooke

“You can shine all the time like it’s just another day / Let the rain out when you feel like you wanna cry / Now you get to say hello while I gotta say goodbye / I’m jealous of the sky”

Ashley Cooke rose to fame on TikTok over quarantine, and there’s clearly no stopping her. She just released her new heartfelt song, “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” but it was “Jealous Of The Sky” that captured our hearts first. Written in remembrance for her best friend that passed away from his battle with cancer, the touching tune is a song that really puts Cooke on the map for her vocals and her songwriting.

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

 

“Better Than You’re Used To”- Tyler Rich

“He don’t take you dancing, he don’t understand / What he’s got, but baby I do / You need someone to love, love, love you / Better than you’re used to”

Although already an established country artist, Tyler Rich utilized social media, especially TikTok to his benefit. After writing the demo of “Better Than You’re Used To,” he shared it with his followers, and his fans instantly took to it. With no real plans to release it, Rich quickly changed his mind and released the song at the perfect time just before Valentine’s Day. We hope it becomes a hit for the singer-songwriter!

To keep up with Tyler Rich, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“Just About Over You”- Priscilla Block

“Guess I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time / You must’ve heard I was moving on / Then right out of the blue / A quarter past two, I’m all about you / When I was just about, just about over you”

Priscilla Block is undoubtedly one of our new favorite songstresses’ in county music. With a sassy attitude, killer songwriting, and honesty for days, how could you not fall in love with her?! Although she has many songs that have gone viral on TikTok, “Just About Over You” is a clear standout.

To keep up with Priscilla Block, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

“She Broke My Heart”- Noah Schnacky

“Cause I wouldn’t have been riding solo / Friday night at the house of blues / And I wind’ the ben there to accidentally spill my drink on you / You wouldn’t have laughed at how I dance”

TikTok has a ton of artists that are both newcomers and established artists in the field. Noah Schnacky is a rising artist, who has gained a lot of success with his TikTok page. He continues to utilize it to share new releases and demos with his fans. Most recently, he has been sharing “She Broke My Heart,” and it is both a viral hit and an absolute smash!

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

 

How does our list of favorite viral TikTok country songs match up to yours? Let us know in the comments.

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

Ashley Cooke Releases “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”

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Ashley Cooke’s new song “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” is available now, March 2nd, everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

Back in October 2020, Ashley Cooke burst on to the country music scene with a heartbreaking song called “Jealous Of The Sky,” written in remembrance of her late best friend. Continuing to pour her heart out in her music and making her fans proud, the songstress is following up her release today with “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night.”

Using her TikTok notoriety to connect with her fans, Cooke finally released this track, one that her followers have been asking for. The new song was written by Craig Wiseman and Matt Roy, but feels like it’s coming straight from the pages of her diary. The mid-tempo song is all about needing a change after a break-up. Cooke admits to needing to take a break from wild Saturday nights out in favor of a Sunday morning of faith and slowing down.

Ashley Cooke's new song "Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night" is available everywhere now, March 2nd

Ashley Cooke’s new song “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” is available everywhere now, March 2nd

“Let the FM hymns blow the bench seat speakers / Let the fireflies and the starlight be my preacher / Shine a little deeper than the neon lights / I need a Sunday morning kinda Saturday night”

Relatable as ever, the song reminds everyone that you cannot get over hurt and heartbreak by partying someone away. Unfortunately, we cannot heal our hearts by partying. Cooke is one of those artists that have found so much success from TikTok, and we think she has a lot of promise in the industry if she keeps releasing songs like this that are catchy, relatable, and lyrically-driven.

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

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

“Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night” 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.

The Best Deep Cuts from Old Dominion

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As Old Dominion continues to entertain with new music, we’re looking back at their incredible catalog and highlighting some of our favorite deep cuts. Check out the full list below and give the playlist a listen.

Photo Credit: Mike Szpot for NYCountry Swag

Photo Credit: Mike Szpot for NYCountry Swag

There is a reason Old Dominion continues to sell out show after show. The group is one of the most beloved country music groups in the industry right now. With three full-length projects already released, their catalog of songs is nothing short of extraordinary. Check out our favorite deep cuts below…

 

“New York at Night”- Happy Endings

“That electric energy / Something tells me you’re gonna keep me going til the morning light / Girl you’re like / New York at night”

Off their sophomore record Happy Endings, “New York at Night” is a hidden gem. We still remember seeing them perform this song at during their dive bar tour at a small venue in Manhattan, and it makes it even more special.

 

“Nowhere Fast”- Meat and Candy

“Breakin’ new ground in my back seat / We had our foot on the gas / Goin nowhere fast”

This is one of those songs that never made it to radio, but had all the appeal. Catchy, fun to listen to, and a certified car-jam, “Nowhere Fast” is one of the best songs off their debut record.

 

“Hear You Now”- Old Dominion

“In the middle of the night, I can / Hear you now, clear and loud, hear you now / Like a wheel in my mind”

Off their newest, self-titled record, “Hear Your Now” is one of my personal favorites. The track speaks about missing the signs and not listening well in the beginning, but then ultimately finally hearing your partner, although it may be too late. The track is personal, yet relatable, a perfect slow-jam.

 

“Wrong Turns”- Meat and Candy

“Watching miles go by / Like she just don’t care / Looking at me with / One thing on my mind / Woah / I guess I’m making all the right wrong turns tonight”

Another song off their debut record, “Wrong turns” is a clever slow-burn that feels so authentic to Old Dominion’s signature sound and style.

 

“I’ll Roll”- Old Dominion

“I’ll roll, I can be a navigator / I’ll roll, I’ll be on my best behavior / I’ll roll, east, west, north to south / I’ll roll, baby, break the good stuff out and I’ll roll”

“I’ll Roll” is a hidden gem off their self-titled record. The song is unlike any other song in country music. It’s smooth, creative, and bouncy, while telling an interesting story. Personally, the chorus is my favorite part.

 

“Still Writing Songs About You”- Happy Endings

“A man like me should find inspiration in anything / But here I am in this hotel room / Still writing songs about / You and sun Santa Monica freeway”

Rounding out our list, “Still Writing Songs About You” may be one of our favorite Old Dominion songs. The ballad is tender, honest, and features lyrics that we just cannot get enough of. Of course, the vocals are just as captivating.

 

How does our list match up to yours? Let us know and be sure to follow our ‘Deep Cuts’ playlist on Spotify. Check out more deep cuts from some of our favorite artists like Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Brett Young, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Luke Combs here.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Old Dominion releases in the coming weeks.

To keep up with Old Dominion, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Luke Bryan Earns 26th #1 Song with “Down To One”

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Luke Bryan’s latest single “Down To One” earns him his 26th number one as the song hits the top spot on the country charts this week.

A little-known fact here around NY Country Swag is our founder, Stephanie got into country music when she discovered none other than Luke Bryan. Like Steph and many of us, Bryan continues to be a staple on our playlists. With over twenty number one hit songs to his name and almost two decades of music in his catalog, the singer scored another top song this week with “Down To One,” marking this his 26th consecutive number one hit.

Bryan’s music style can be described sometimes as country and sometimes as pop-country, but ultimately his charming ways keep you coming back for more. Every song he releases has heart and catchy lyrics to back it up. “Down To One” is the fourth single from Bryan’s seventh studio album Born Here Live Here Die Here. Although the entertainer did not write this tune, he knew right away that it was a hit in the making.

“We were down to 1 A.M. / Listenin’ to one more song / Thinkin’ I want more than just one night out here with you alone / Down to that last Bud Light / In the back of that two-tone, half-ton / My heart was tellin’ me that one more kiss, and I’d be done”

The track is an easy and effortless love song that fits Bryan’s style and vocals perfectly. The mellow love song is one of those tracks that you cannot help but smile at while you listen. We know that this jam will become a staple at live shows when Bryan and his band can finally take the stage again. Until then, fans can get their Luke fix by watching American Idol each week!

Additionally, Bryan will release the deluxe version of his Born Here, Live Here, Die Here album which will include six brand new songs, on April 9th.

Luke Bryan earns #1 with "Down To One"

Luke Bryan earns #1 with “Down To One”

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

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

“Down To One” 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.

And The Nominees Are…2021 ACM Award Nominees Announced

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The 2021 ACM Awards will take place on Sunday, April 18th at 8PM ET on CBS.

Earlier today on CBS This Morning, Kelsea Ballerini and Brothers Osborne kicked off the nomination announcements for the 56th Annual Show revealing who’s up for the night’s biggest honors like Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Duo of the Year, Group of the Year, Single of the Year and the most coveted award of the night: Entertainer of the Year.

Following the morning show announcement, ET’s Rachel Smith revealed the remaining categories which included New Male Artist of the Year, New Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and Music Event of the Year.

Normally airing from Las Vegas, this year the annual event will return to Nashville for a live broadcast for the second consecutive year following significant changes to the show due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The show will once again feature yet-to-be-announced performances happening across three different iconic music venues in Music City: Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and The Bluebird Cafe.

Airing on Sunday, April 18th, 2021 from 8PM ET – 11PM ET on CBS, the 56th ACM Awards will also be available to stream live and on-demand.

Check out the full list of nominations below + click the image below to visit us on Instagram and let us know your vote for this year’s Entertainer of the Year.

 

2021 ACM AWARDS NOMINATIONS:

 

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

 

GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
The Cadillac Three
The Highwomen

 

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

 

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Maren Morris
Carly Pearce

 

DUO OF THE YEAR:
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

 

SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]:
Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville

I Hope – Gabby Barrett
– Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

I Hope You’re Happy Now – Carly Pearce & Lee Brice
– Producers: busbee
– Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Records

More Hearts Than Mine – Ingrid Andress
– Producers: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

The Bones – Maren Morris
– Producer: Greg Kurstin
– Record Label: Columbia Nashville

 

NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Ingrid Andress
Tenille Arts
Gabby Barrett
Mickey Guyton
Caylee Hammack

 

NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Jimmie Allen
Travis Denning
HARDY
Cody Johnson
Parker McCollum

 

SONG OF THE YEAR
*Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s):
Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
– Songwriter(s): Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby
– Publishers: Emileon Songs; Little Louder Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs of Universal, INC; Sony ATV Tree Publishing; Wrucke for You Publishing

One Night Standards – Ashley McBryde
– Songwriter(s): Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally
– Publishers: Canned Biscuit Songs; Smackworks Music; Smack Blue, LLC; Smackstreet Music; Tempo Investments; Warner Geo Met Ric Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp

Some People Do – Old Dominion
– Songwriter(s): Jesse Frasure, Matt Ramsey, Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally
– Publishers: Carrot Seed Songs; EMI Blackwood Music INC; Smackville Music; Songs of ROC Nation; Telemitry Rhythm House Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp; Smack Hits; Tempo Investments; Warner Gro Met Ric Music

Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
– Songwriter(s): Chris Stapleton, Mike Henderson
– Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Straight Six Music; WC Music Corp

The Bones – Maren Morris
– Songwriter(s): Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz
– Publishers: Big Machine Music, LLC; Extraordinary Alien Publishing; International Dog Music; Oh Denise Publishing; Round Hill Songs; Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp.

 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
*Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s):
Born Here Live Here Die Here – Luke Bryan
– Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
– Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown
– Producers: Andrew Goldstein, Charlie Handsome, Dann Huff, Lindsay Rimes
– Record Label: RCA Nashville

Never Will – Ashley McBryde
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

Skeletons – Brothers Osborne
– Producer: Jay Joyce
– Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

Starting Over – Chris Stapleton
– Producers: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb
– Record Label: Mercury Nashville

 

Tune in to the show to see who will take home the awards on April 18th on CBS.
+ Follow us on Twitter while we live-tweet the show, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.

TRACK45: ‘Big Dreams’ – EP Review

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Track45’s sophomore EP Big Dreams is today, February 26th and features previously released tracks in debut project Small Town such as “Come On In” and “Met Me Now”. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the project.
Track45's new EP, 'Big Dreams' is available everywhere now, February 26th

Track45’s new EP, ‘Big Dreams’ is available everywhere now, February 26th

Track45, a trio and family band from Mississippi who introduced themselves with three tracks in the fall, are back with more. Made up by Ben Johnson, KK Johnson, and Jenna Johnson, these artists are keeping up the momentum with a second collection titled Big Dreams which includes the previously released tracks as well as two more productions.

The 5-track EP marks the start of new music while, at the same time, comes directly following a six-week radio tour. Furthermore, the single “Met Me Now” that has attained nearly 675,000 streams on Spotify after just four months is set to hit U.S. country radio airwaves next week.

“Little Bit More”, the only stand-alone, original song off this Track45 release with songwriting contribution from all members in addition to American singer-songwriter Audra Mae, highlights their contagious energy. As described, their personal experiences both as a family and individually mixed with adventurous yet deliberate decisions in the studio are eloquently captivated. The intricate entanglement of vocals can only be explicitly compared to the dynamic vivacity and stunning exuberance of a Coca-Cola. Perhaps it’s the filled-to-the-brim talent in each act that creates this overwhelming sense of carbonation after hearing vocals bounce off and flatter one other.

On the contrary, country roots are planted through a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”, which marks the second and final new production of Big Dreams. The raspy, youthful approach of the graceful and affectionate “Jolene” musical icon implements a different shade of color to paint over the words originated and first heard in 1977. Similar to “Little Bit More” Track45 chooses a lively, infectious shade to reinvent and cover the sturdy framework with a fresh layer of paint without reconstructing its bones.

Big Dreams marks phase two of the introductory projects from Track45’s with a continuation of refreshing voices and overflowing creativity.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Track45 releases.

To keep up with Track45, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Big Dreams 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.

Ian Munsick: ‘Coyote Cry’ – Album Review

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Ian Munsick’s brand new album Coyote Cry is available now, February 26th, everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the project.

Ian Munsick's new album, 'Coyote Cry' is available everywhere now, February 26th

Ian Munsick’s new album, ‘Coyote Cry’ is available everywhere now, February 26th

Ian Munsick, who formerly released a self-titled EP in 2017 and won iHeartRadio’s Rocky Mountain Song of the Year with “Horses Are Faster”, has signed with Warner Music. After a tumultuous, active year releasing six tracks that are now featured on today’s LP Coyote Cry, listeners are given the full-length story with four additional productions.

“Solo”, which preluded this project and acted as the first song to mark a new musical journey for Munsick, acts as a reminder of Jason Derulo’s famous 2010 hit “Ridin’ Solo”. This transformative, renowned time in history that marked the end of those middle school relationships along with the immediate change of a relationship status on Facebook will forever be held dear. Though, the country twangy-rasp that swarms through this modern-day story brings dixie cups and shotgun ridin’ to the table in an unexpected yet incredibly genre-permitting way.

“She got me ridin’ solo / Down here at the bar drinkin’ all alone / Sippin’ from a Dixie, wishin’ it would fix me / Had me on a high like Colorado / Now she got me ridin’ solo”

While “Solo” showcases the drinking-heartbreak-away storytelling aspect of country music from this Wyoming-born and raised musician, “Mountain Time” seeps lyrical creativity and good, old-fashioned lightheartedness to the mix. The echo involvement creates a back-and-forth interaction between the singer himself and accompanying instruments, suggesting a successful delivery on a production-conscious process. At the same time, old country hee-haw sensations are modernized as if Munsick was intentionally giving the genre a nicely wrapped present to the past.

“It don’t matter where I go / I always find my way back home / After all, my heart belongs to you (You) / I’ve been near and I’ve been far / But there’s nowhere like where you are / Hey, honey, it’s about time / To settle on down in Mountain Time / (Ya-hi, ya-hi-i-hi) / (Ya-hi, ya-hi-i-hi)”

This release is not a traditional, formal introduction from an aspiring, upcoming Nashville-based act. Munsick, a newly signed artist, seemingly raises awareness to his musical icons by spinning classics to fit his style whether these renditions originate from pop, R&B or rock. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac is put under a microscope and transformed in a way that is familiar yet nearly unrecognizable over a male vocal. The production is loosely engrained with pop-country elements while still remaining true to its historical leverage.

“Coyote Cry is a soundtrack for the modern western lifestyle,” Munsick said in a press release. “A firm handshake between cowboy and hippy, traditional and contemporary and everything in between.”

One of the brand new features, “Like It Ain’t”, could be considered the epitome of what we can expect from Munsick. An original track with musical contribution unguarded from genre limitations while maintaining singer-songwriter, southern accolades, and finger-snapping, tender notes.

Raised in the mountains of Wyoming, there’s no doubt that this new artist with Warner Music will incorporate a refreshing sense of artistry and perspective to the country music scene. “It’s the life I’ve lived so far and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. No matter who you are, I think you’ll find a piece of yourself in there and maybe even lose yourself to the howling in the hills.”

With more music coming soon, fans are encouraged to join the Munsick club cleverly named “The Heard” after his ranch-bred musicianship. Subscribers will be the first to hear about music announcements with access to exclusive merch and more. Join here: IanMunsick.com

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

To keep up with Ian Munsick, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Coyote Cry 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.