Every time we write about the powerful female trio that is Avenue Beat, we become more and more in awe of their talent, charisma, and uniqueness. Their song “i don’t really like your boyfriend” went viral on TikTok just last month, and fans begged for the rising artists to release a recorded version, they obliged. Now, Avenue Beat is at it again with another viral song, “F2020.”
Like all of us, Sami, Savana, and Sam have been navigating this pandemic in their own ways. For the songstresses, singing and songwriting seem to have remained their number one coping skill, and we are reaping the benefits. “F2020” is an anthem for this year. The ladies cuss out the year with this necessary, yet pleasing song. The second the beat drops and the chorus hits, you become a full-fledged fan of the song and in turn of Avenue Beat.
“Yo my cat died / and a global pandemic took over my life / And I put out some music nobody liked / So I got really sad and bored at the same time / That’s why I’m like / Lowkey fuck 2020/ Still sad, still ain’t got no money”
The ladies express all the turmoil we all feel about how crazy this year has been so far. Through their catchy, yet truthful lyrics. Furthermore, the fact that they had the courage to release it on their social media platforms, and now obliging fans once again by recording it, just shows how much guts and passion they have for their music and their fans. You’re lying if you don’t think “F2020” is a smash hit. Avenue Beat has somehow found their own lane in music, and we are loving every second of it.
“F2020” 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 Hero Collectionby NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AB-2020.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2020-07-10 00:39:552020-09-19 17:43:53Avenue Beat Release Studio Version of Viral Hit, “F2020”
“Why do I, always try, to run away from you?” Brett Eldredge asked on his 2017 self-titled album. At the time, the closer, “Castaway” was the most vulnerable he had ever gotten with fans. On his latest release Sunday Drive, out today, July 10th, Eldredge has stopped running from himself and embraced everything he used to shy away from. Lyrically, sonically and personally, this is Eldredge’s bravest piece of work.
The opener is the overwhelmingly joyous “Where The Heart Is”, co-written by Eldredge, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Tyler Johnson. The acoustic guitar is folksy and the soaring strings and harmonies add an extra layer of depth. “Where’d you lose your sense of wonder? / The firework goin’ off in your head / ’Cause there was a time we weren’t thinkin’, we were flyin’ / We were alive / I wanna feel alive.” Next is “The One You Need” which follows the same energy. It’s in the same vein as “Love Is A Wild Thing” by Kacey Musgraves – it’s ethereal in its sound and lyrically, about finding a love you can trust.
Eldredge collaborated with Ian Fichituk and Daniel Tashian, who are responsible for projects like Musgraves’ Golden Hour, Little Big Town’s Nightfall, and their band, Skyline Motel’s After Dark. “I couldn’t imagine having created this album with anyone other than Ian and Daniel, who are both incredible and so musically inclined,” Eldredge stated in a press release. “I’ve always wanted to have more space for my voice, not only vocally but also lyrically, and they provided a way for me to do that with this beautiful music. Collaborating with them helped take this album to wonderfully different places, introducing me to a unique sound that is unlike any of my other records.”
Songs like “Fall For Me” and “Then You Do” are two of the more starry-eyed, poppy vibes on the project, while tracks like “Magnolia”, “When I Die”, and “Fix a Heart” lean on the Americana/Triple A-side. Eldredge’s love of indie-pop, traditional country, and swing jazz are sprinkled in each song differently. Sometimes it’s through a slide guitar or a brush drum, or through the storytelling and powerful vocal delivery. No matter the track, everything remains cohesive.
“I knew I had to do things differently this time, so I threw caution to the wind and got away from all that I was comfortable with in order to go deeper,” Eldredge said. “I didn’t even listen to the radio for a year because I didn’t want to know what music somebody else was making. Not because I don’t care, but because I had to figure out what I needed to say for myself. By making sure I wasn’t being influenced by anything other than what my heart was saying, I was able to write what I wanted to, which was important. Recording this album ended up being the most powerful thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
“Sunday Drive”, the title track and the only song that Eldredge didn’t have a hand in writing, and closer “Paris, Illinois”, are beautifully cinematic and atmospheric. Eldredge’s love of the blue-eyed soul is at it’s most prominent, and you can hear the emotion in his voice telling the story. “And that’s where I learned it all, from them / To fight, to love, to laugh again / Man, I thought we were only wasting time / Out on a Sunday drive”. Eldredge grew up in a map-dot town, but it doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are; these stories are universal, and a reminder of how much we share in common. “Paris, Illinois”, is truly a musical moment. The minute-long outro feels like the end of an old-school black-and-white movie, where there’s a convertible going down the road in slow motion. It’s as if the credits are rolling, and you can take in the whole picture that is Sunday Drive. It’s reflective and classic, which is exactly what the album is.
“You have to give yourself permission to do anything in life, to be brave a little bit,” Eldredge explained. “I got to a certain point where I felt like I wasn’t giving enough of myself and it took a lot of self-awareness to finally realize that if I do have more in me, then I’ve got to step up and take that step off the edge.”
Eldredge did more than just take that step off the edge. He opened his heart, jumped, and took a chance that resulted in this timeless album. In 50 years, when people talk about Brett Eldredge, this is the record they’ll remember. It’s not about radio airplay or hit chasing. It’s about taking the long way down a road until you know where you’re going. He held on to these messages and songs for a long time, and it may have taken 7 years and a few detours, but Brett Eldredge has finally arrived.
SUNDAY DRIVE TRACKLIST
1. Where the Heart Is – Brett Eldredge, Jessie Jo Dillon, Tyler Johnson
2. The One You Need – Brett Eldredge, Jessie Jo Dillon, Matt Rogers
3. Magnolia – Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe
4. Crowd My Mind – Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman
5. Good Day – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
6. Fall For Me – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
7. Sunday Drive – Barry Dean, Don Mescall, Steve Robson
8. When I Die – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
9. Gabrielle – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
10. Fix A Heart – Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe
11. Then You Do – Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe
12. Paris Illinois – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
NYCS Staff Picks: Where The Heart Is
Sunday Drive
Then You Do
The One You Need
Fall For Me
‘Sunday Drive’ 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 Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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One of the more profound and innovative vocalists in the country music genre is Ross Ellis. We named him one of our 2020 Artists to Watch because of his undeniable charm and talent, as well as, for his creative songwriting. On the heels of success with tracks like “Buy and Buy” and “Home To Me,” Ellis released his newest song “Love Blind” today.
Ellis finds away to bare his soul with each song that he releases. He time and time again invites fans into his heart and mind, hoping that they will accept him and his talent. On “Love Blind” Ellis takes that notion of hoping to be “good enough” and internalizes that onto this track. The new song is all about acknowledging your past and your wrongdoings, but hoping it does not impact your current relationship.
“I guess she loves like you do / Tell all your angels to work overtime / Stay on both shoulders / Keep me in line / You walked on water and turned it to wine / So Lord make me better and keep her love blind”
For Ellis, blind love seems to mean full acceptance. He hopes that a higher power will keep him on the right path to make this relationship work because it is important to him. I think we can all understand that intense desire and hope in a relationship; however, the singer-songwriter finds a way to evoke those emotions through poetic lyrics and vulnerable sentiments, with killer guitar riffs and vocal layering to add to the already impressive ambiance.
“Love Blind” 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 Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ross-ellis-love-blind-new.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2020-07-10 00:30:482020-09-19 17:47:57Ross Ellis Asks A Quiet Prayer To A Higher Power in “Love Blind”
New Music Friday! This week we get new music from Jimmie Allen, Kane Brown, Brett Eldredge, Avenue Beat, Lakeview, Lauren Davidson, Brinley Addington, Ross Ellis, Laine Hardy, Drew Green and more!
Check out all the new music and more on our Spotify New Country Music Playlist below and be sure to follow for updates each and every Friday:
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/New_Music_Friday.jpg6301200Stephanie Wagnerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngStephanie Wagner2020-07-10 00:21:522020-07-10 00:21:52New Country Music Friday – The Playlist 7/10/20
Back in December 2019, during his opening slot on the CMT on Tour with Michael Ray, Swag Session alumni, Jimmie Allen performed a killer new song called “Good Times Roll”. The singer-songwriter teased that the song would come later this year and featured a collaboration with none other than cross-genre recording artist Nelly.
Now, as 2020 quickly becomes pretty much the worst year of existence, fans everywhere can rejoice knowing that Allen will officially release the catchy new song along with an entire album of all-star collaborations this Friday, July 10th. Check out a sneak peek of the song in the video below.
“Good Times Roll” is a perfectly titled tune geared towards making fans dance and sing along. Written with rapper Nelly, the new jam even features a snippet of Nelly’s classic song “Country Grammar” of his debut record. The new song is infectious and will get stuck in your head after just a single listen. Allen is proving that his talent resonates across genre lines and that modern country music has no boundaries for a reason.
When it comes to his co-writer, Nelly is no stranger to collaborations. He has collaborated with everyone from Simple Plan to other hip-hop artists to even country’s own Florida Georgia Line on their smash hit “Cruise.” He also earned himself a major crossover hit with his song “Over and Over Again” featuring Tim McGraw and penned his own country tune, “Sound Good to Me.”
In addition to Nelly, the new album, titled Bettie James, also features artists like Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Tim McGraw and more. If each song is anything like this one, we know it will be an album full of greats.
Bettie James will be available Friday, July 10th across all streaming platforms. For the latest new tunes in country music, follow our ‘New Country Music’ playlist.
The Hero Collectionby NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jimmie-allen-nelly-copy.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2020-07-08 16:50:052020-09-19 17:47:58Sneak Peek: Jimmie Allen to Release Nelly Collab, “Good Times Roll”
During the opening night of Kane Brown’s Worldwide Beautiful Tour, the country superstar debuted a brand new, unreleased track called, “Be Like That”. Brown prefaced the song, claiming that it would officially be released sometime in 2020 and would be his next single to pop radio. Further adding that the song would have a surprise collaboration that he was really excited about.
Although 2020 has had many ups and downs, (let’s face it, mostly downs), fans will be excited to learn that the catchy song is finally being released to all streaming platforms this Friday, July 10th. Brown teased the news on his Instagram with a save the date and announcing Khalid and Swae Lee would join him on the track.
“Be Like That” is another heavily produced track in which the singer describes his complicated relationship. He hates constantly texting her and thinks he might be better off on his own but at the same time he says he’s not himself without her and he would never be able to move on if they broke up. This is a common scenario that is not often expressed. The usual situation described in country music involves two people who have broken up but after a few drinks, they make an overnight mistake which leads them to evaluate their status. Brown calls attention to what’s going through the mind of someone in that relationship rather than what that person is doing to get over it.
The song is set to be released Friday, July 10th. In addition to “Be Like That”, Brown also debuted a second unreleased track titled, “Vodka Cranberry”. Check it out here.
The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/kane-brown-be-like-that.jpg6301200Dylan Bestlerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngDylan Bestler2020-07-08 16:20:122020-09-19 17:47:58Kane Brown to Release Fan Fave “Be Like That” with Khalid & Swae Lee
New Music Fridays continues to be something to look forward to each and every week. We genuinely appreciate country artists continuing to release music that we all love, during this unprecedented and chaotic time in our country. Last Friday, newcomer, Jaden Hamilton released two brand new songs entitled “Long Night Letting Go” and “Found Myself in a Country Song.”
Both songs showcase Hamilton’s unique perspective as a songwriter, as well as, his vocal ability. The Louisiana native has a knack for telling stories and delivering catchy lyrics. “Long Night Letting Go” is a sensual and vulnerable track, where Hamilton explores the intricacies of a dwindling romantic relationship. Although the singer did not co-write this tune, it’s clear he knows what heartbreak feels like.
On the contrary “Found Myself in a Country Song” was co-written by Hamilton with fellow songwriters, Carlton Anderson and Matthew McVaney. This new jam is a fun and enticing ode to country music. It’s relatable and embodies exactly how we all feel about music. After all, music is healing and feeling, and story-telling is at the heart of the genre.
“First time I cranked that Strait, I couldn’t turn it down / On that front porch swing, blaring through the house / Amarillo By Morning, I can hear it now / First time I cranked that truck, I drove way too fast / Liked up a cloud of dust, had the radio blasting / Red dirt road, it made me who I am / I found myself in a country song”
Hamilton blew up via his social media channels, specifically on TikTok, and will be interesting to see how his diehard fanbase and social media marketing skills continue to help him blossom into music stardom. We look forward to more releases by the singer-songwriter.
“Long Night Letting Go” and “Found Myself in a Country Song” are 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 Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Maybe it’s just us, but it seems that lately, country artists are giving fans a taste of what’s to come via Instagram. We are noticing that so many singer-songwriters are previewing unreleased materials and even demos to fans via their social media just to keep fans excited. Whatever the reason, we are absolutely loving it! Check out five of our favorite unreleased cuts below.
“For As Long As I Can Remember”- Devin Dawson
Devin Dawson is one of the most underrated voices and songwriters in country music right now. His debut record Dark Horsewas a true masterpiece, and we are itching for another new project. Until then, Dawson gave fans a taste of this song, a special song he wrote and gifted to his dad for Father’s Day. Let’s hope he cuts it!
“Wonderin’ About The Wind”- Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen has basically been the king of keeping fans on their toes lately. As he gears up for his sophomore record, Wallen continues to ask fans their opinions about some of his unreleased cuts; however, this one is our current favorite.
“That’s What I’ve Been Told” – Riley Green
Another artist who just can’t wait to release new music, Riley Green grabs his acoustic guitar at least once a week and performs unreleased tracks. This one is more of a list of all of the facts he believes to be true including “…girls don’t like a kiss that tastes like Skoal, at least that’s what I’ve been told”. Fans will continue to consume these great songs in anticipation of his sophomore project.
“What’s Your Country Song?”- Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett and his beautiful family have been some of the most entertaining and vocal on social media since the music industry essentially halted a few months ago. Between this unreleased jam and the touching “Ya Heard,” (also unreleased) Rhett is keeping fans entertained. This particular song is lyrically genius, and we cannot get enough of it!
5. “Cold As You”- Luke Combs
Luke Combs has clearly been using quarantine time to write music, and we are sure glad he is. After breaking our hearts, yet making us feel heard with “Six Feet Apart,” Combs shares another unreleased new song with fans. The new track is quintessential Combs, and despite the fact that the clip is acoustic, we know it is going to hit hard if it is recorded!
Keep up with NY Country Swag, as we will be sure to late you know ASAP if any of these songs are released!
The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/country-instagram-unreleased-songs.jpg6301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2020-07-07 21:51:422020-07-07 21:52:155 Unreleased Cuts From Instagram That We Are Loving
Country music is a genre that has a wide variety of singers and songwriters, and everything in between. With so much new talent in the industry, it is hard to forget the people that have made the genre what it is today and paved the way for the industry. In all of our interviews with artists, one thing has remained consistent across the board, the influence that old-school artists have had on her respective music journeys.
The late Charlie Daniels is one of those artists who deserves recognition in both life and in death for his work as an influential singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. Daniels is recognized for his contributions to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music. His number-one song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is one of the most iconic songs out there and is often covered by more modern-day country music artists, though no one can do it quite like the original.
Throughout his career, Daniels was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Since the 70s, he has written songs for iconic artists like Elvis Presley and played guitar, bass, fiddle, and banjo on recordings by artists like Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr. Of course, he is probably most recognized as the leader of his band, simply named the Charlie Daniels Band, where he fused together all of his influences to create a unique sound that newcomers often try to embody and imitate.
Most importantly, Daniels was an icon. He found a way to be unapologetically true to himself, while still resonating with fans for over forty years. We know his legacy will span another lifetime, as he will remain a fixture in the country music scene forever.
Our hearts go out to the Daniels family, and we are hopeful that he will continue to bring a broader audience to the genre through his unparalleled music and talent.
The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Our ‘I Love New York’ Series features artists in the country music community taking over our Instagram Story each week to give us the Top 5 Things they love most about New York City.
This week, “Trash My Heart” singer-songwriter, Walker Hayes took over to give his Top 5 Picks in the personalized videos here on Instagram Highlights plus a rundown below.
#5 – Broadway
Hayes kicks off his Top 5 Picks with Broadway. “I’ve seen Bruce Springsteen do his thing on Broadway and I’ve seen a lot of the musicals and Broadway shows. My favorite would probably have to be Ragtime,” he says.
#4 – 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial lands Hayes’ fourth pick calling it, “well done, beautiful, touching, moving, and life-altering.” “It’s just really an exceptional memorial and I think anybody going to New York needs to see that.”
#3 – People Watching
Who doesn’t love to people watch? Hayes chose people-watching in his #3 spot, “There’s always somebody up, no matter what hour you wake up. There’s always somebody out doing something,— I love that hustle and that busyness.”
#2 – Baseball
We have to agree, there’s not much better than New York baseball. Admitting to being a Braves fan himself, Hayes adds catching a New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox game at Yankees Stadium is one of his favorite New York memories. “It was just phenomenal, — to be around by that many baseball lovers, that diehard…”
#1 – Shake Shack
Hayes’ #1 Pick for his Top 5 Things he loves about NYC in our ‘I Love New York’ Series is: Shake Shack. “Every night that I’m in New York, that’s where I end up. That’s where I get my nightcap.”
For more from our ‘I Love New York’ Series, follow us on Instagram: @NYCOUNTRYSWAG
“Trash My Heart” 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 Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.
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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!
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https://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/walker-hayes-ny.jpg6301200Stephanie Wagnerhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngStephanie Wagner2020-07-07 19:47:192020-07-07 20:02:47I Love New York with Walker Hayes
