NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: The Latest in Country Music – 4/23/21

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – 4/23/21

  • ERIC CHURCH The final installment of Eric Church’s triple album project, ‘Soul’ is out now. ‘Soul’ is the most eclectic collection yet, showing different sides of The Chief, as he explores a variety of different sounds and styles. Listen now. – More >>
  • BRETT YOUNG – SURPRISE! Brett Young just announced a brand new album, ‘Weekends Look A Little Different These Days’, due out June 4th, and dropped a new summer-ready song, “Not Yet”. – More >>
  • JUSTIN MOORE Justin Moore’s new album, ‘Straight Outta The Country’ is a quintessential mix of modern and contemporary country, Moore’s small-town charm shining on tales of simpler times, country living, celebrating life, and lost love. – More >>
  • CHRIS LANE It has been nearly two years since new music from Chris Lane. Today, the singer-songwriter drops a brand new track, “Fill Them Boots”. – More >>
  • ADAM DOLEAC Adam Doleac just dropped a romantic new song “Coulda Loved You Longer”, listen here.More >>
  • ELVIE SHANE – With six new songs on his debut EP ‘County Roads’, Elvie Shane manages to tell fans exactly who he is, what he is about, and the music he wants to create. Listen here. – More >>
  • JAMESON RODGERS – Jameson Rodgers just released his highly anticipated EP, ‘In It for the Money’ with hit song “Some Girls” and current chart-climber with Luke Combs, “Cold Beer Calling My Name”. Check out the full project here. – More >>
  • KYLIE FREY & RANDY HOUSER – Kylie Frey has joined forces with incredible vocalist, Randy Houser on an amazing duet called “Horses In Heaven”, listen here. – More >>
  • JORDAN ROWE – Jordan Rowe’s new song “More Me” showcases honest conviction and clear talent, making this song a real standout! Listen here. – More >>
  • LATHAN WARLICK – Lathan Warlick’s debut EP, ‘My Way’ is full of collaborations with artists like Tyler Hubbard, Lauren Alaina, and Russell Dickerson, blending hip hop, country, and gospel, check out the full innovative project here. – More >>
  • ROMAN ALEXANDER & ASHLEY COOKE – Roman Alexander joins forces with Ashley Cooke on reimagined version of “Between You & Me” making for an incredible duet. – More >>

Take a listen to all of these tracks and more here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Jordan Rowe Delivers Brand New Track “More Me”

Jordan Rowe just released a brand new track, “More Me” available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Jordan Rowe's new song, "More Me" is available now, April 23rd

Jordan Rowe’s new song, “More Me” is available now, April 23rd

Last year we interviewed newcomer, Jordan Rowe for our Swag Spotlight Artist feature, and we knew then that he was an entertainer we had to keep our eye on. A River House artist, Rowe is a killer songwriter and vocalist; however, today’s song is an outside cut that he was proud to record. The singer released a song that feels made for him called “More Me.”

Twangy, yet modern, Rowe’s vocals fit this song perfectly. Written by hitmakers, Corey Crowder, Cole Taylor, and Randy Montana, “More Me” is the perfect country song for so many reasons. Rowe shared in a recent press release, “I usually write 3-5 songs a week, but I heard “More Me” and felt like exactly what I wanted to say as an artist.”

“I’m a little more me when I’m loving on you // Like it’s what this boy was born to do // Little more what I am // Little less what I ain’t // trying to think of somewhere better, but baby I can’t // It’s like the good Lord got me where he wants me to be // ‘Cause when I’m loving on you I’m a little more me”

The song effortlessly portrays what it’s like to be in a relationship that makes you feel exactly like who you are meant to be. We all know those people and those places that put us at ease and allow us to authentically be ourselves, and that’s the message of this song. Rowe’s honest conviction and clear talent make this song a true standout.

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

To keep up with Jordan Rowe, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“More Me” 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.

Roman Alexander and Ashley Cooke Duet on “Between You & Me”

Roman Alexander joined forces with Ashley Cooke on a reimagined duet version of “Between You & Me” available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Roman Alexander, this week’s Swag Spotlight Artist, is keeping busy with a slew of new music releases. Just this past November 2020, Alexander released his debut EP, Between You and Me. The 5-track project includes his “Cocktail Conversations” and the original version of “Between You and Me”. He also released an acoustic version of both songs last month, along with another song from the EP, “Bad for Me”. Right around the same time, he joined Alana Springsteen on her single “Trying Not To”.

Now, Alexander has just released a new version of “Between You and Me”, this time adding an incredible duet with talented singer-songwriter, Ashley Cooke. Cooke, is a rising new artist who has risen to fame over the last few months in part thanks to TikTok and has also recently released new music, her first two singles: “Jealous of the Sky” and “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”

The two up-and-coming artists are a perfect pair in their version of “Between You and Me”. Alexander said that the decision to drop a new version of the song with Cooke was an easy one. When his manager suggested a female artist joining him on the song to “throw some fuel on the fire and keep things going”, Alexander said “what about Ashley Cooke? It was a no brain,” he tells us in our spotlight interview. After hearing the two collaborate on this version, we couldn’t agree more. 

“Between You & Me” is a song about two people who just want to get as close to each other as possible, emotionally and physically. Adding Cooke as the female vocal and making the song a duet takes the story from a thought and a one-sided conversation to a mutual feeling. Rather than just a hope for him, it makes it something that you know they both want to happen. 

Roman Alexander & Ashley Cooke's, "Between You & Me" is available now, April 23rd

Roman Alexander & Ashley Cooke’s, “Between You & Me” is available now, April 23rd

“Between you and me // All I can think about // Is leaving here early to get you alone // Pulling you into me, not even music on // Nothing but you, my tee, white sheets // Between you and me”

Alexander and Cooke are both rising singer-songwriters and are each incredible vocalists. We’re not just excited about what’s ahead for them both, but we’re so happy they had the chance to collaborate together so early on in their careers, as they’re both promising faces for the future of country music.

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

To keep up with Roman Alexander, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
To keep up with Ashley Cooke, follow her on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

“Between You & Me” 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.

Kylie Frey and Randy Houser Team Up on New Song “Horses In Heaven”

Kylie Frey and Randy Houser are teaming up on a brand new song, “Horses In Heaven,” available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Kylie Frey and Randy Houser's "Horses In Heaven" is available now, April 23rd

Kylie Frey and Randy Houser’s “Horses In Heaven” is available now, April 23rd

We are here for a good collaboration, and today we got one! Former Swag Spotlight artist, Kylie Frey has joined forces with incredible vocalist, Randy Houser on a brand new song. Frey’s new single with Houser is an amazing duet called “Horses In Heaven.”

The rising country songstress collaborating with chart-topper, Houser is a collaboration we never knew that we needed! The song is a tribute to Frey’s late grandfather, who was an inspiration and a rock for the singer throughout her life. Her vocals soar on the song, but the combination of Houser’s vocals during the chorus takes the song to the next level. The collaboration came about when one of Houser’s buddies played Frey’s song. “I felt like it was telling a story I knew. Right then, I wanted to sing on the track,” he shared in a recent press release.

“ I don’t know if he’s roaming around just to pass the time // Somewhere up there, on the other side // Checking a fence line just as the sun is setting // But y’all I’m sure that he’s riding horses in heaven”

The former rodeo star does her grandfather proud, sharing about all the reasons she looked up to him. She shares that her grandfather taught her how to ride and was a constant encouragement in her life. This completely comes through with each lyric sung, and it really makes the listener feel closer to Frey as an artist and as a person.

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

To keep up with Kylie Frey, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
To keep up with Randy Houser, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

“Horses In Heaven” 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.

Lathan Warlick: My Way – EP Review

Lathan Warlick’s debut EP, My Way is available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Full of collaborations with artists like Tyler Hubbard, Lauren Alaina, and Russell Dickerson, check out the full project First Impression review here.

My Way, country music newcomer, Lathan Warlick’s major-label debut project was released today, April 23rd. The eight-track collaboration EP features seven different Nashville stars including Matt Stell, Russell Dickerson, Lauren Alaina, RaeLynn, Dustin Lynch, High Valley, and Tyler Hubbard.

Many artists today blend aspects of multiple genres in their music, and country artists are no different. Back in the early 2010s, acts like Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line introduced Nashville to ‘country rap’ and paved the way for other artists such as Colt Ford, Upchurch, and many more. After a slight decline a few years later, Lil Nas X brought it back into the mainstream with his mega-hit “Old Town Road,” which inspired acts like Breland, and now Lathan Warlick. Warlick combines elements of country and gospel into his thumping hip-hop beats. His musical mission is to spread messages of faith and positivity under his signature mantra: “do different, be different.”

“Merging Hip Hop, Country, and Gospel all on one project is definitely something given from The Most High,” Warlick admitted in a recent press release. “Time to give the world something different since I get to have it ‘My Way.’

The title track starts off the record. With its ‘bass-meets-banjo’ sound, it could easily fit into any country tailgate playlist. He and Hubbard describe what a perfect day would feel like if they had it “their way.”

“Roots” with RaeLynn and “Over Yonder” featuring Matt Stell were also previously released. The former recognizes all the beautiful and hard-working small-town women who appreciate where they’re from. The latter contains a heavy amount of steel and electric guitar, as Warlick calls for unity between people of all colors and demographics.

In “In His Hands” and “Gotta Be God,” Warlick strays from his fun, feel-good tunes to express the role faith plays in his life. In the former, Warlick and Alaina show their gratitude for God, stating even after making numerous mistakes in life, he never gave up on them and showed them the strength to find their path and succeed. In the latter, Warlick tells the personal story of confronting a shooter and looking death in the face. He credits God for getting him out of the life-threatening situation and giving him a second chance. Russell Dickerson sings the bridge and the choruses…

“Gotta be God, gotta be him // Pulling me out of that mess I was in // Look at me now, look at me then // Good lord knows wasn’t nothing I did // A boy like me to get what I got // yeah can’t nobody tell me it’s not, no it’s gotta be God’

Warlick and Lynch praise the country life in “Way Out Here” a mid-tempo pop-country crossover. The grind that a small-town farmer puts in is all worth it when you’re lying under the stars at night with the one you love. “My Dawgs” is the heaviest rap-leaning song on the EP and is the only one without a feature. Warlick discusses the importance of cutting negative people out of your life and spending more time with the ones who truly care for you and have your back. The final track, “Runaway Train” is another song for the playlist. Warlick and High Valley sing about putting the pedal down, living life to the fullest, and not looking back on past mistakes.

“You got me like girl, tell me baby where you wanna go // Let me take you there where it’s care-free, you and me, rolling like a tumbleweed // Cross two lanes, just like we on a runaway train”

Although the lyrics aren’t ground-breaking, Warlick has created an entirely new sound. Hip-hop and gospel are difficult genres to bind; perhaps country is the element that makes it work. It may be too early to tell, but we could have a potential trailblazer in the making.

Lathan Warlick's debut EP, 'My Way' is available now, April 23rd

Lathan Warlick’s debut EP, ‘My Way’ is available now, April 23rd

TRACKLIST:

  1. “My Way” feat. Tyler Hubbard
  2. “Roots” feat. RaeLynn
  3. “In His Hands” feat. Lauren Alaina
  4. “Over Yonder” feat. Matt Stell
  5. “My Dawgs”
  6. “Gotta Be God” feat. Russell Dickerson
  7. “Way Out Here” feat. Dustin Lynch
  8. “Runaway Train” feat. High Valley

NYCS Top Picks:

  1. In His Hands
  2. Runaway Train

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

To keep up with Lathan Warlick, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

My Way 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.

Jameson Rodgers: In It For The Money – EP Review

Jameson Rodgers’ highly anticipated EP, In It For The Money, is out now, April 23rd, everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Jameson Rodgers is a man with humble beginnings. He did not originally set out in Nashville to “make it big.” He simply wanted to write music that others would love, but as fate would have it, he is a great vocalist too. The time is officially now for Rodgers to showcase his undeniable talent and firmly take his spot in the industry. Rodgers’ newest project In It for the Money is the perfect record to solidify his much-earned place in country music.

“I would do this forever, for a just getting by salary. It’s just something in your heart. It makes you happy,” shared Rodgers in a recent press release, “I literally look forward to waking up every day and getting to write a song or play a show. I just can’t imagine doing anything else in life.”

The seven-track project begins with three songs that will be familiar to fans. The chart-climber “Cold Beer Calling My Name” kicks off the record. Rodgers joins forces with labelmate and superstar Luke Combs on this fun-loving jam. Similarly, “Rolling Rock, Rolling Stones” is a song that needs to blast through your speakers.

Fittingly, the singer’s debut number one single “Some Girls” is also featured on the project. The song still remains one of the best on the project, both lyrically and vocally.

“Some girls drink a bottle of wine // Got an old ex to text, too get them through the getting by // Sometimes it’s a clean break, stay gone // Clean slate, moving on to something new // Sometimes, some girls make it easy on you // But some girls never do”

Of course, the record also boasts the recently released “Good Dogs.” The song is all about reminding us all to not take the people and pets we love and the things we cherish for granted. Written during a writer’s retreat with a few of his buddies and fellow songwriters, Rodgers created a unique, yet powerful tune that fits in nicely with this project.

The title track “In It for the Money” is the heart of the record, properly placed in the center of the tracklist. The song is all about having the drive and the passion to be a musician. It perfectly personifies Rodgers’ journey in the country music industry and his incredible grit, while still feeling relatable for anyone who has a passion for something.

“And the high you get when they’re singing your song // You wrote about how a heartbreak feels // Looking at the world through an old man windshield // That long road to the top ain’t paved with sold-out shows // If I was in it for the money, I’d of quit a long time ago”

“When You Think of Mississippi” is the nostalgic song on the record. The verses give Rodgers a chance to reflect on a broken relationship that reminds him of his roots and upbringing. The song oozes radio appeal, and we’re sure fans are going to fall in love with this tune.

The record ends with another one of our favorite tunes off the project, “Desert.” Rodgers is truly at his best on this heartbreakingly beautiful song. Although the song is clearly from the perspective of having dealt with heartbreak, the singer encourages people to move on and to focus on the stuff we can control in life. Life is full of ups and downs, but it is still beautiful. It’s a song we all need to hear.

“Tell the ones you love that you love em // Tell the ones you miss that you miss em // Cause life’s kinda crazy, you can’t predict the weather // But the cold and the rain, and the pain don’t last forever // You know the lows sure make the highs so much better // Man sunshine all the time just makes a desert”

“My purpose that I know right now is that I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. And the best chance I have of doing that is writing and singing songs,” shared the singer. We could not agree more! Rodgers was made for the life he is living, and In It for the Money EP is an incredible reflection of that.

Jameson Rodgers' EP, 'In It For The Money' is out now, April 23rd

Jameson Rodgers’ EP, ‘In It For The Money’ is out now, April 23rd

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

To keep up with Jameson Rodgers, you can follow him on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.

In It For The Money 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.

elvie-shane-number-one

Elvie Shane: County Roads – EP Review

Elvie Shane’s debut EP County Roads is officially available now, April 23rd on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

There is nothing like championing new artists in country music. BBR Music Group signed singer-songwriter Elvie Shane last year, and today, April 23rd, his debut EP, County Roads is out on all streaming platforms. This is just the beginning for Shane, but it’s a mighty good one!

With just six songs, Shane manages to tell fans exactly who he is, what he is about, and the music he wants to create. The record opens up with the title track, “County Roads.” The rocking song is everything you want in an upbeat country jam! The song tells a story about the singer’s upbringing. Fans will want to dance and sing along and even intricately listen to the killer lyrics.

“Here’s to the lessons that don’t come cheap // To the long lost lovers in the shotgun seats // Here’s to the wild and the restless souls // Who got their street smarts runnin’ down them // County roads, county roads”

Guitar-heavy “Keep On Strummin’” is the next song on the EP. Continuing to learn more about Shane, the song makes you appreciate the artist’s talent even more. All about the things that bring him joy and his passion for music, the track is a must-listen-to.

Slowing it down a little, but still with the edge, “Sunday In The South” appeals to all types of country music listeners. The picturesque lyrics make you want to be spending a Sunday in the south with Shane and his family. This makes it evident that the singer knows how to have a good time no matter where he is.

The most familiar song on the record is Elvie Shane’s current radio single “My Boy.” The song has already broken the top thirty on the charts and continues to rise each week. A touching song about his stepson, the singer delves into the depths of his heart to share the experience of being a father to someone who is not his blood. Although other artists have sung songs about this before, Shane finds a way to make you feel like you are listening to an emotive song like this for the first time.

“He ain’t my blood, ain’t got my name // But if he did, I’d feel the same // I wasn’t there for his first steps // But I ain’t missed a ball game yet // And that ain’t ever gonna change // I could never walk away // Yeah, he’s my son and that’s my choice // He ain’t my blood but he’s my, he’s my boy”

Shane continues to tug at our heartstrings with “Sundress.” The heart-achingly beautiful love song is nostalgia at its finest. The sensual lyrics are both vulnerable and touching. Of course, the singer’s vocals also shine on the track. Proving that the artist is just as talented as a songwriter as he is a vocalist.

“We snuck off just around midnight // Threw a little red dust in her taillights // Drove far enough to get real close // Pulled off on a no-name road // I still think about her now and then // How the night looked on her skin // Ain’t never seen a sunset like // her sundress sitting in the moonlight”

Finally, Shane ends the record with another personal song entitled “My Mississippi.” Written by the artist, with Jakob Miller, “My Mississippi” is another inside look into the singer’s story. Once again showing off his intensely powerful vocals, the song showcases another side of Shane’s multi-faceted personality and experiences.

Shane manages to blend his influences and showcase his grit, nostalgia, and his undeniable talent with his first project. As the singer shared on his social media the record is “The story of who I am… all the twists and turns that got me to this very moment.” County Roads EP is a must-listen for all country music fans!

Elvie Shane's 'Country Roads' EP is available now, April 23rd

Elvie Shane’s ‘Country Roads’ EP is available now, April 23rd

NYCS Picks:

  1. “Sundress”
  2. “My Boy”
  3. “Keep on Strummin’”

County Roads EP Tracklist:

  1. County Roads
  2. Keep on Strummin’
  3. Sundays In The South
  4. My Boy
  5. Sundress
  6. My Mississippi

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

To keep up with Elvie Shane, follow him on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

County Roads 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.

Adam-Doleac-New-Song

Adam Doleac Releases New Song “Coulda Loved You Longer”

Adam Doleac just released a brand new song “Coulda Loved You Longer” available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

We have been big fans of Adam Doleac, since the very beginning when the singer-songwriter joined us for a live session back in 2017. He continues to get better and better with each new release. The hitmaker released “Another” back in September, and is finally releasing new music again. Today, the singer dropped his next song, “Coulda Loved You Longer.”

Doleac is an artist that is instantly recognizable the moment you hear him sing. “Coulda Loved You Longer” fits right in with his catalog of music. The brand new love song is delightfully charming and mesmerizing at the same time. It transports you into a movie scene, where all you feel is loved and adored. Doleac croons about wishing he had met his love sooner, all so they could experience love together even longer. How romantic is that?

“Wish I’d met ya sooner // So I coulda loved you longer // Wish I’d spent it all // Instead of wasting all that time // All of our favorite memories // Go back a little bit father // Wish I’d met you sooner //  So I coulda loved you // So I coulda loved you longer”

Adam Doleac's "Coulda Loved You Longer" is available now, April 23rd

Adam Doleac’s “Coulda Loved You Longer” is available now, April 23rd

Despite the fact that the lyrical content is about love, a typical topic in country music to write about, Doleac finds a way to put his own spin on everything he does. The song feels fresh and innovative, without feeling too new. It’s clear that he has figured out the right formula for his music, and we cannot wait to see what he shares for country music lovers next!

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

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

“Coulda Loved You Longer” 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.

Chris Lane Returns with Brand New Music, “Fill Them Boots”

Chris Lane’s highly anticipated brand new song, “Fill Them Boots” is available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new song.

It has been quite a while since Chris Lane has put new music out — twenty-two months to be exact. He has been riding the slow and steady climb of his latest single “Big, Big Plans,” which hit number one in December, making it the singer’s third chart-topping hit. Today, April 23rd, Lane blessed us with a brand new song titled “Fill Them Boots”.

Lane made his fans wait almost a year for this song, as he teased a demo of it last May on Instagram. Produced by Joey Moi and penned by himself with Josh Miller, Mark Trussell, and Ernest, Lane tells a story of a girl on the rebound. The man sees her holding back tears at the bar, which causes him to swoop in with hopes of boosting her spirits and potentially becoming her new boyfriend. Lane’s twang mixed with a simple string/percussion melody makes this a fun, ‘nice-guys-finish-first’ anthem.

“Girl, it’s time to move on, scoot on over // You’re looking like you can use a brand new shoulder // Let your heart break, take a holiday // for a song or a drink or two any ways // I don’t him from Adam but I’m kind of mad at him, for the way he did you // Yeah, I can fill them boots”

Lane has teased some demos of other songs on social media over the past year as well, so be on the lookout for a future EP or perhaps even a full-length album. His last record, Laps Around the Sun, was released in July of 2018 and featured 2x platinum, number-one hit “I Don’t Know About You” and 2x platinum top ten track, “Take Back Home Girl” with Tori Kelly.

Chris Lane's new song, "Fill Them Boots" is available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms

Chris Lane’s new song, “Fill Them Boots” is available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms

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

To keep up with Chris Lane, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Fill Them Boots” 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.

Justin-moore-number-one

Justin Moore: ‘Straight Outta The Country’ – Album Review

Justin Moore’s new album, Straight Outta The Country, is available now, April 23rd, on all streaming platforms. With 8 new tracks, take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music in our First Impression review.

Justin Moore has always toed the line between traditional and modern country perfectly. With hits like “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” and “Small Town USA” under his oft-oversized belt buckle, Moore has managed to always stay true to his sound. Yet, while staying true to himself, he manages to continuously release music that sounds contemporary with a classic twist. This is the case on his new album, Straight Outta the Country, out today, April 23.

The album opens with “Hearing Things,” an ode to living in the city and missing the greener grass of country life. Written by Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, and Chris Stevens, the song is fitting for a New York-dwelling country music fan, as we can relate to Moore and his remarks that he can “hear honking horns from the 21st floor,” and thinks he’s going crazy hearing the sounds of his country life. “I think I’m going crazy // Hearing things in my head like // Truck tires rolling on a gravel road // AM static on the radio // Pine trees swinging and singing when the wind blows,” Moore drawls. “I swear I’m hearing things like // Muddy water rippling on the riverbank // The lonesome whistle of a midnight train // Sounds crazy I know // But I’m hearing things // And they’re calling me home.”

The album’s lead single “We Didn’t Have Much” appears two times on the album, as both a full band and an acoustic track. While the former is currently climbing the charts at county radio, it’s the latter that allows the stellar lyrical content to shine. Co-written by Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, and Jeremy Stover, “We Didn’t Have Much” also brings about nostalgia for simpler days and a simpler place. “There was dirt on Daddy’s clothes // From putting that bacon on momma’s stove // Dog barking in the yard at a truck we don’t know,” Moore recalls. “All we had was us // That little bitty house and a lotta love // We had it all when we didn’t have much.”

While Moore can hold his own on an up-tempo, he shines on the slower and sentimental tracks, including “You Keep Getting Me Drunk” and “More Than Me.” The latter is a beautiful love letter of a song, co-written by Moore, DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, and Stover, to Moore’s children. On the heartfelt track, he tells of all the things he wishes for his children. “I hope you love // I hope you hit your knees // Hope you get to see the hometown team win // A little more than me,” He sings. “I know the world’s gonna think the world of you // But I swear on the stars above you // No one’s gonna love you // More than me.”

On “You Keep Getting Me Drunk,” Moore shows his heartbroken side, drinking to dull the pain over his lost love. “How can I get over us when I can’t even sober up?” He asks, the song displays a clever twist of a breakup track, highlighted perfectly by Sarah Buxton’s impeccable background vocals.

The album’s title track is a heavier Moore than we’re used to, driving guitars filling the song. This is an anthem to country-living that we can easily see kicking off or closing out a Moore live show, leaving the audience clamoring for more Moore.

Overall, Justin Moore’s Straight Outta Country is a quintessential mix of modern and contemporary country, Moore’s small-town charm shining on tales of simpler times, country living, celebrating life, and lost love.

TRACKLIST:

  1. Hearing Things (Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, Chris Stevens)
  2. Consecutive Days Alive (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, Jeremy Stover)
  3. We Didn’t Have Much (Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
  4. She Ain’t Mine No More (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Jamie Paulin, Jeremy Stover)
  5. More Than Me (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
  6. Straight Outta The Country (Michael Hardy, Cam Montgomery, Josh Thompson)
  7. You Keep Getting Me Drunk (Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, Paul DiGiovanni)
  8. We Didn’t Have Much – Acoustic (Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)

NYCS Picks:

  1. We Didn’t Have Much
  2. You Keep Getting Me Drunk
  3. Hearing Things

In addition to releasing music and touring, Moore has recently kicked off his own podcast, and upcoming guests include Travis Tritt, Dillon Carmichael, and more. Listen to The Justin Moore Podcast sponsored by Bobcat, here: https://JustinMoore.lnk.to/PodcastPR.

Justin Moore's new album, 'Straight Outta The Country' is available now, April 23rd

Justin Moore’s new album, ‘Straight Outta The Country’ is available now, April 23rd

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

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Straight Outta The Country 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.