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Taylor Swift: ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ – Album Review

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Taylor Swift released her second re-recorded album, Red (Taylor’s Version). Listen to reimagined new record here. 

Known for being one of the best “breakup” albums, Red (Taylor’s Version) is 30 tracks filled with heartbreak. Similar to Fearless (Taylor’s Version), this album includes the original tracks as well as nine songs from the vault. While the vocals may be more mature, the emotion and heartache you feel when listening is the same if not stronger.

The vault songs this time around include a track with CMA male vocalist of the year, Chris Stapleton, Swift’s version of “Better Man”, and “Babe”.  Up first is “Better Man”. You may recognize the song from Little Big Town who released the single in 2017 as part of their album The Breaker.  Since it was left off the original Red album in 2012, Swift decided it should be heard and gave it to Little Big Town. Written by the Pennsylvania native, it won song of the year at the 2017 CMA Awards as well as a GRAMMY for Best County Duo\Group Performance.  From adding the London Contemporary Orchestra to the acoustics and the emotional vocals, Swift put her own spin on it and certainly reminded us why it’s award-winning.

Next up is “Babe” which you know from Sugarland’s recording in 2018 where Swift accompanied the duo with her background vocals. Written by Swift and Pat Monahan, the singer-songwriter again made the version unique. Speeding up the tempo, adding the line “what about your promises” before the first verse, and handling the vocals all on her own without backup, she showcases her talent of seamlessly mixing genres. 

Bringing it back to her country roots with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, “I Bet You Think About Me” features award-winning artist Chris Stapleton. Written by Lori McKenna and Swift, it fits the breakup theme as it’s filled with shade towards an ex. Stapleton’s role may be minor as he comes in on the chorus but it is certainly impactful. The two vocals blend together flawlessly making the perfect duo.

Overall, Red (Taylor’s Version) may have been her album transitioning away from country music, but she reminded us where she started.  We can’t wait to see what other country collaborations she may have in store!

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Taylor Swift’s reimagined version of her album ‘Red’ is out now.

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

To keep up with Taylor Swift follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Red (Taylor’s Version) 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

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Who Is Troy Cartwright? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-troy-cartwright
The Beginning:

This week, our spotlight is shining on an artist that was born to be a musician. Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Troy Cartwright is one to look out for. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, he recalls always loving music. “I’ve always been into music. I always joke that writing songs is the only thing that nobody told me to do.”

At just twelve years old, Cartwright started playing guitar and writing songs.”Once I could play, I just kind of stopped practicing, and just started writing songs,” shared Cartwright. “I always sort of had a knack for that part of it.” Despite loving music, interestingly he tried to avoid the country genre at first because it was his older sister’s favorite.

“When I was kid, it was just sort of whatever was popular at the time like Simple Plan and New Found Glory and stuff like that […] There was some singer-songwriter stuff that I fell in love with like Pete Yorn.”

Cartwright loved music so much that he took a leap of faith. He headed to Boston for college to pursue a degree in music business. Little did he know, this move would soon change the trajectory of his life.

The Turning Point:

In college, Cartwright rediscovered country music, after missing home and its familiarity. Artists like Eric Church and Chris Stapleton became his “North Star” later in life, as an artist.”I started missing home and that kind of was the start of it to country music and now it’s my career.”

During his junior year of college, Cartwright participated in an internship that became a major turning point for him. “I realized that was not the path that I wanted to go down,” shared the singer about the business-oriented job. “I realized through that process like ‘hey if you’re going to be an artist’ you just got to go for it.”

Upon graduating college, Cartwright headed back to Dallas to pursue his career as an artist.“ I was able to pretty quickly string together enough shows to pay the bills. […] That was kind of my start in country music, just playing the honky tonks and the bars that would have me.”

Eventually, Cartwright caught the ear of a publisher in Nashville.“I had a publisher here in Nashville say ‘hey why don’t you come write some songs here.’,” adding later, “After I came to Nashville for the first time and got to co-write, I was going to move to Nashville no matter what, I just had to figure out how to get there.”

Today:

Now, Cartwright is living his dream, as a signed recording artist. Most recently, the singer-songwriter released his debut major-label EP, Halfway To Houston. The five tracks all portray the rock influence from the singer’s childhood mixed with his love for the storytelling that country music does best.

“Most of these songs were written during the pandemic,” begins Cartwright. “I had a lot of time to think about what I really, really wanted to say as an artist.” Later, the singer shared, “I kind of had it in two buckets. It was what’s the real stuff that I want to say and then what’s the rock n roll part I want to get out.”

His songs “Hammer” and “Halfway To Houston” bring out the rock side of the collection, while “Break Every Heart In Texas” is one of the most emotive songs on the project. According to Cartwright, “It’s a song that I’ve always loved and I love the story and the picture that it paints about this guy watching the love of his life basically marry someone else. I think it’s a pretty powerful emotion.”

This is only the beginning for Cartwright. Fans can expect more music coming in 2022, as well as a tour with LANCO coming even sooner. Stay tuned and make sure to keep the singer on your radar!

Connect:

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

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

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

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Country Artists to Perform During Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2021

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The list of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performers was just announced and several country acts are on the bill.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

After a tumultuous 2020, the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is returning to its in-person format. Country superstar, Carrie Underwood is among the star-studded performers slated to sing during the parade. Underwood will be getting us all in the holiday spirit with a song from her holiday project, My Gift.

Other country artists and friends, such as Jimmie Allen, Chris Lane, Mickey Guyton, and Nelly  will also be performing on some famous floats during the parade. The parade with air from 9AM to Noon in all time zones Nov. 25. There will also be theatrical performances to celebrate Broadway being back in NYC, including performances by the casts of Wicked, Moulin Rouge! and SIX.

Spectators can also anticipate a special performance by the infamous Radio City Rockettes and of course, a special visit from Santa to kick off the holiday season.

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

Don’t forget to follow us Instagram too!

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Luke Combs Set to Perform At Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show

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This year on Thanksgiving Day, Luke Combs will perform at the Dallas Cowboys halftime show. Learn what to expect below.

During the iconic Dallas Cowboys 2021 Thanksgiving Day halftime show, country superstar Luke Combs will be perform. As a huge football fan, the newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year is the perfect pick to be this year’s performance. So far, Combs has not shared what songs he will sing, but we are sure any of them will be a hit!

Combs joins a long list of country music stars who have had the opportunity to play the special halftime show in the past. This includes Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, and more.

Combs’ performance comes on the heels of his latest single “Cold As You,” marking his twelfth consecutive number one song at country radio.

The Dallas Cowboys are playing against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tune into the NFL game at 4:30PM ET on Fox.

Are you in the New York area? Combs headlines Madison Square Garden on Monday, 11/29 and Tuesday, 11/30. Join us for a pregame party on Tuesday, 11/30! More info here.

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

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

Listen to some Luke Combs’ music below and for the latest new tune, visit our ‘New Country Music‘ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Jason Aldean: ‘MACON’ – Album Review

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Jason Aldean’s highly-anticipated album, MACON is officially here. The first fifteen tracks of his double album is out now.

Aldean will go down as one of the most successful country artists ever. He has accumulated 26 number one hits, 15 billion streams, and more than 20 million albums sold over his 16-year career. In 2019, the Academy of Country Music awarded him the Dick Clark Artist of the Decade. Aldean’s hometown of Macon, Georgia means a lot to him, which motivated him to name his tenth studio album after it. 

“Where you were raised has such a big influence on who you become and for me it’s no different…especially from a music standpoint,” Aldean said in a recent press release. “My little hometown of Macon was heavily instrumental in my musical background. Growing up in an environment that was a crossroads between country music, southern rock, blues and R&B, it was just natural to blend different sounds in my own way.”

Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, and Lydia Vaughan were the four main writers on this project, having cuts on four of the nine new songs. Allison and Kennedy are also in Aldean’s touring band and play their instruments on the record as well. Heartbreak and healing share the overarching theme on MACON. In “Over You Again,” the singer finds himself in an endless cycle of falling in and out of love with his ex. When he finally starts to think he’s over her, he shortly backslides and needs to go through the process again. This is the most poppy-track on the record and features backing vocals from an uncredited female. In “This Bar Don’t Work Anymore,” the singer leans on the neon lights to mend his broken heart, but the one he is trying to get over is on the dance floor with another guy. 

“They might as well close it down, shut it down, go ‘head and board up the windows and lock the door // “cause this bar don’t work anymore”

John Edwards adds his input to the third track on the album, “That’s What Tequila Does.” Aldean sings about the confidence tequila gives drinkers when trying to get back with an ex. You might think it’s working at first, but it will just leave you disappointed at the end of the day. The quartet also penned the multi-week number one single “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood as well. The two performed the song together for the first time at the CMA Awards earlier this month. Watch here:

The writers of “After You” (Micah Wilshire, Michael Tyler, Thomas Archer) use clever wordplay to portray this former relationship. It started with the man chasing after her and following her every move to trying to figure out what life was “after love, after leaving, after too much drinking, after you.” 

The bar is the setting in most of the tracks on this album, and “Story For Another Glass” is no different. Upon taking his seat, he tells the people around him he has no interest in talking about his ex right now. However, that might change a few drinks from now.

“Just wanna pour beer on an ol’ heartbreak // Drink ’em outta José and shoot ’em outta limes // Maybe kiss a stranger in the neon light // Buddy, I know that you’re tryna help // Just don’t remind me I’m goin’ through hell // If I get enough in me, man, I might just crack // But right now, she’s a story for another glass”

Aldean took songs from other major-label recording artists in Brantley Gilbert, Michael Ray and Morgan Wallen. Brantley and Ray co-wrote “Small Town Small” with Taylor and Josh Phillips, Chase McGill, Brock Berryhill, Brian Davis, and Brandon Day. “Small Town Small” is an ode to small town life and the people who rule it. It is the only fun, party song on the album, which is very unlike Aldean.

Fans who are aware of Wallen’s recent history can metaphorically hear him in the “The Sad Songs.” Everything is going great in this new relationship, but the man fears that once she hears about some of his poor past behaviors, she will leave right then and there. Wallen wrote this with Josh Thompson and Brandon Kinney.

Aldean released his Bryan Adams cover of “Heaven” exclusively on Amazon Music in May but is now available everywhere and included on MACON. Although the two singers have very different vocal ranges, Aldean does a great job of creating a new sound and giving the song a new meaning. The first half of the project ends with five live tracks from different shows including “Amarillo Sky,” “Johnny Cash,” “She’s Country,” “Big Green Tractor,” and “My Kinda Party.” Between Macon and Georgia, one song from all nine of Aldean’s previous albums will be represented in live tracks. Click here for the Georgia tracklist which will come out on April 22nd. 

MACON Track List

  1. After You
  2. Over You Again
  3. That’s What Tequila Does
  4. Small Town Small
  5. If I Didn’t Love You with Carrie Underwood
  6. Story For Another Glass
  7. Heaven
  8. This Bar Don’t Work Anymore
  9. The Sad Songs
  10. Watching You Love Me
  11. Amarillo Sky (Live from Nashville, TN)
  12. Johnny Cash (Live from Los Angeles, CA)
  13. She’s Country (Live from Las Vegas, NV)
  14. Big Green Tractor (Live from Dallas, TX)
  15. My Kinda Party (Live from St. Louis, MO)

Jason Aldean’s new album ‘MACON’ is available now on all streaming platforms.

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

To keep up with Jason Aldean, you can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

MACON 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.

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Luke Combs Scores 12th Number One with “Cold As You”

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Luke Combs continues his streak of number ones with his 12th song to top the country charts, “Cold As You.”

Newly crowned, Entertainer of the Year, Luke Combs is proving once again why he is a bonafide superstar. Continuing his record success, the singer-songwriter has added to his consecutive streak of hit songs. This week, Combs’ song “Cold As You” marks his 12th number one single at country radio.

A little over a year old, “Cold As You” catapulted to the top of the charts since its radio debut. The song is all about ways to mend a broken heart. The reflective, quiet, jam is fun-loving, introspective, and enticing. We do not see Combs’ streak of hits ending anytime soon!

“They got “Whiskey River” on a jukebox // A honky tonk sawdust dance floor // A neon, five o’clock, broke clock // And plenty damn many when you want one more // Of this broke heart fool on an old bar stool // Drinkin’ beer almost as cold as you”

For fans hoping to hear “Cold As You” live, Combs was just announced as a headliner for Tortuga Music Festival. Find all the information here.

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

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

“Cold As You” 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.

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Walker Hayes Drops Brand New Song “AA”

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Walker Hayes’ brand new song “AA” is out now. The new track joins songs “Fancy Like” and “U Gurl” for the artist’s forthcoming project Country Stuff the Album, due out January 21, 2022. Learn more about the brand new track below.

Walker Hayes is still flying high on a breakout year. The success he received from “Fancy Like”, which officially went  No. 1 this month, allowed for him to release follow up singles like “U Gurl”, “AA”, AND announce his Fancy Like Tour for 2022. 

“AA” is Hayes’ latest release off his forthcoming project, Country Stuff The Album. The artist released his 6-track EP – Country Stuff – in Summer 2021 which included the title track, “Fancy Like”, and two other pre-released songs, “I Hope You Miss Me”, and “Make You Cry”. The rather unexpected success of “Fancy Like” allowed for the full album that is set to release on January 21, 2022. It will include the same six songs from the EP, “U Gurl” and “AA”, as well as five more unreleased songs. 

A song of typical Hayes fashion with its unique catchy sound and play on words, AA is about trying to make it through the day to day struggles of life, family, parenting and work without hitting the bottle too hard and ending up in AA. 

Now that fans are starting to get to know Hayes and his family more and more with not just his rise in fame, but his openness with his family life on social media – his songs are growing more and more relatable. “Fancy Like” let us know all about his love for his wife Laney and Hayes’ social platforms are covered with his day-to-day life with six kids – including his oldest daughter Lela who doubles as his TikTok choreographer.

“AA” gives us a glimpse of what is constantly on Hayes’ mind – like being able to provide for his wife and kids, by writing songs that people will want to hear, all the while steering his kids in the right direction and not letting his wife realize she’s the one that “married down”. Meanwhile, if you ask us – we’re not convinced that either of the two should be saying this!

“I’m just tryna keep my daughters off the pole // And my sons out of jail // Tryna get to church so I don’t go to Hell // I’m just tryna keep my wife from figuring out // That I married up and she married way way down // In Alabama where they love Nick Saben // Tryna write a song the local country station will play // Hey, I’m just tryna stay out of AA”

Walker Hayes’ ‘Country Stuff The Album’ is due out 1/21/22.

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

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

“AA” 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.

The 2022 GRAMMY Awards Nominees Announced

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Check out the full list of country music categories and nominees for the 2022 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards taking place on January 31st, 2022.

This morning The Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards which will take place on January 31st, 2022 on CBS.

First time country nominees, include Jimmie Allen and Walker Hayes for their respective categories. Of course, GRAMMY favorites like Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton also received multiple award nods. Country music standout, Mickey Guyton also received three nominations for the major country music categories. She makes history with her nominations.

Tune in on January 31st on CBS at 8 PM to see who wins and find the full list of country categories below.

 

Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.

“Right On Time”- Brandi Carlile
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”- Lil Nas X
“Freedom”- Jon Batiste
“I Get A Kick Out Of You”- Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“Peaches”- Justin Beiber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Kiss Me More”- Doja Cat ft. SZA
“Happier Than Ever”- Billie Eilish

 

Best New Artist
This category recognizes an artist whose eligibility-year release(s) achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.

Jimmie Allen
Arooj Aftab
Baby Keem
FINNEAS
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid LAROI
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

 

Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

Skeletons- Brothers Osborne
Remember Her Name– Mickey Guyton
The Marfa Tapes– Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall & jack Ingram
The Ballad of Dood & Juanita– Sturgill Simpson
Starting Over– Chris Stapleton

 

Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

“Forever After All”- Luke Combs
“Remember Her Name”- Mickey Guyton
“All I Do Is Drive”- Jason Isbell
“camera roll”- Kacey Musgraves
“You Should Probably Leave”- Chris Stapleton

 

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

“If I Didn’t Love You”- Jason Aldean & Carrie Undrwood
“Younger Me”- Brothers Osborne
“Glad You Exist”- Dan + Shay
“Chasing After You”- Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris
“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”- Elle King & Miranda Lambert

 

Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

“Better Than We Found It”
Jessie Jo Dillon, Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins & Laura Veltz (Maren Morris)

“camera roll”
Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves)

“Cold”
Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon & Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)

“Country Again”
Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley & Thomas Rhett (Thomas Rhett)

“Fancy Like”
Cameron Bartolini, Walker Hayes, Josh Jenkins & Shane Stevens (Walker Hayes)

“Remember Her Name”
Mickey Guyton, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram & Park Welling (Mickey Guyton)

 

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

Brantley Gilbert Releases New Song “How To Talk To Girls”

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Brantley Gilbert’s brand new song “How To Talk To Girls” is out today, November 19th, on all streaming platforms. Learn more about the brand new track below.

Country star, Brantley Gilbert is known for his heavy-hitting songs and truth-telling lyrics. It is not often that Gilbert lets his fans in to his softer side, but when he does, it is a true masterpiece. Today, fans get that side of the singer-songwriter with his brand new song “How To Talk To Girls.”

“The more specific I am as a writer, the more I hear other folks say ‘Man, I feel the exact same.’ When it comes to family, the love I have for my wife, son and daughter is simple and straightforward, but getting across how deep it goes is the hard part, and I think that’s something we all share,” shared Gilbert in a press release about the song.

“‘Cause this angel hangs on every word I say // She’s gettin’ so much more from me than my last name // Everything and I can’t hide it // She’s got me at a loss for words // I guess I’m still learnin’ // How to talk to girls”

Inspired by his wife and his daughter, “How To Talk To Girls” is a peek into Gilbert’s sensitive and emotional side. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, it is clear how much the artist loves his family. Vocally, the singer’s voice is at its all-time best. The new song might also be one of Gilbert’s best in his collection of songs.

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Brantley Gilbert releases a brand new song, “How To Talk To Girls,” out now.

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

To keep up with Brantley Gilbert, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

“How To Talk To Girls” 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.

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Here Is Lauren Davidson’s New EP: ‘Hindsight Is 2020′

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Lauren Davidson’s brand new EP, Hindsight Is 2020 is out now, November 19th on all streaming platforms. Check out the details and listen to the brand new music below.

Local singer-songwriter, Lauren Davidson’s newest collection of songs is her best yet. The seven-song EP features vulnerable tracks like “A Little Love” and “I Don’t Need Your Reason.” Songs like “Silver Linings” depict the more optimistic side of Davidson. The songstress manages to both share her story and relate to her fanbase on each of the seven incredible tracks.

Despite the fact that 2020 was a difficult year for all, Davidson manages to create true art during a tumultuous time. According to the singer, “2020 came with a lot of feelings and emotions, to say the least, and I have never been happier to be a songwriter and artist with an outlet to express myself.” She later added, “I’m proud to release Hindsight Is 2020 – a collection of songs written in 2020, during the quarantine, when life seemed to be standing still – but I wasn’t.”

Listen to the brand new record below!

Hindsight is 2020 Track List

  1. Live In The Light
  2. Backfire
  3. Thinking About You
  4. Silver Linings
  5. A Little Love
  6. I Don’t Need Your Reason
  7. Hindsight
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Lauren Davidson’s new EP ‘Hindsight Is 2020’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

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

To keep up with Lauren Davidson, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Hindsight Is 2020 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.