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Drake Milligan: ‘Jukebox Songs’ – EP Review

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Drake Milligan releases his new EP, Jukebox Songs, out now, February 16th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

With a voice seasoned way beyond his 25 years, Drake Milligan is easily one of country music’s best modern traditionalists. This is on full display on his new EP, Jukebox Songs, which allows his impressive voice to shine over four new tracks. Produced by fellow Texan, Trent Wilmon, the EP continues to illustrate Milligan’s impressive talent. 

Similar to his previous releases, the Stoney Creek artist’s new EP is the best of both traditional country and modern sounds. He shares, “My goal for this EP was to write and find songs that feel classic and memorable – the kinda tunes would fit right in on some old Rock-Ola in the corner of a smoke-filled bar on the outskirts of nowhere Texas. It’s a continuation of the old-meets-new Country sound I’ve always gone for, and this time with my friend Trent Willmon at the reins as producer, I’m very excited to keep this honky tonk train rollin.’” 

The EP opens with “What I Couldn’t Forget,” a swinging and single-ready ode to finding new love beneath neon lights. While he may have entered the locale with the intention of drowning his sorrows in a sad country ballad, someone new catches his eye and a love story is forged over fiddle and steel.  “I think I walked in here running from a memory,” He admits, a playful tone lacing his booming voice. “I can’t remember what I couldn’t forget, that train of thought took off the moment we met, All I got is you girl running through my head, I can’t remember what I couldn’t forget…All I know is I’m glad you’re here.”

“I Got A Problem” starts off with a cheeky ragtime piano, as Milligan sets up the story, musing about what happens when “a guy like me gets hooked on something.” Initially, it may seem like a ballad but quickly traditions into a rocking uptempo as the singer deals with his addiction to a new woman in his life. 

“Your kiss tastes like whiskey and I’m a drinker // You play with my heart strings, and girl, I’m a singer // Nah, it ain’t no joke, you’re a smoke show // And I’m a Marlboro man when I’m holdin’ your hand // You’re a wild card, I’m a gambler // I was goin’ nowhere, you wrecked my plan, girl I got a problem // But what a damn good problem to have”

“Don’t Leave Me Loving You” is an immediate standout, finding him a broken hearted balladeer as he channels his inner George Strait, longing for a lost love on the powerful ballad. “Come leave me hurt, Come leave me mad, Come leave my heart broken in half,” He pleads. “Leave me like someone I never knew, Hating the hell you put me through, Just don’t leave me loving you.”

The collection ends with the rousing “Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers,” a simple but effective celebration of a local and reliable haunt that’s sure to have cold beer and good music. It’s the perfect ending to the EP, leaving listeners with a smile on their faces, as they are immediately transported to the place. Akin to tracks like “Redneck Yacht Club,” “I Love This Bar,” or “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association,” it leaves listeners with a taste but wanting more.

The only problem with Drake Milligan’s Jukebox Songs EP is that it’s too short. However, the four song collection packs a powerful punch that’s sure to be played on repeat.

Jukebox Songs EP Tracklist:

  1. What I Couldn’t Forget
  2. I Got A Problem (Full Length)
  3. Don’t Leave Me Loving You
  4. Jukebox Songs and Barstool Beers
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Drake Milligan shares new EP, ‘Jukebox Songs,’ 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 about future Drake Milligan releases.

Milligan will be hitting the road with Cody Johnson this Spring. For tour dates and more, click here.

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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

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Drake Milligan Shares Brand New Song “Don’t Leave Me Loving You”

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Drake Milligan releases new song, “Don’t Leave Me Loving You,” out now, January 5th,  on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track here and learn more.

To kick off 2024, Drake Milligan is giving fans more to be excited about. The singer-songwriter is releasing an EP called, Jukebox Songs on February 16th. The new project will feature songs that stand the test of time and feel distinctly like the artist. Today, fans are getting to listen to a brand new song off the project called, “Don’t Leave Me Loving You.”

“Jukebox Songs is exactly what it sounds like,” shared Milligan in a recent press release. “My goal for this EP was to write and find songs that feel classic and memorable – the kinda tunes that would fit right in on some old Rock-Ola in the corner of a smoke-filled bar on the outskirts of nowhere Texas. It’s a continuation of the old-meets-new Country sound I’ve always gone for, and this time with my friend Trent Willmon at the reins as producer, I’m very excited to keep this honky tonk train rollin.’”

The new song is a true heartbreak anthem that fits in perfectly with the singer’s existing catalog. Throughout the countrified song, Milligan shares of heartbreak and sings about wanting to feel anything but love. “Don’t Leave Me Loving You” is relatable and catchy, two things that make a great country song.

Milligan proves his talent yet again with “Don’t Leave Me Loving You”. The song is the perfect addition to anyone’s music library.

drake-milligan-new-song

Drake Milligan shares new song, “Don’t Leave Me Loving You,” 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 about future Drake Milligan releases.

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

“Don’t Leave Me Loving You” 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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Drake Milligan Drops New Song “I Got A Problem”

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Drake Milligan releases new song, “I Got A Problem,” out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track here and learn more.

Singer-songwriter, Drake Milligan is adding more music to his growing catalog. The traditional country music singer shares a catchy new song today called “I Got A Problem.”

With a soulful country sound, “I Got A Problem” showcases Milligan’s talent in every possible way. The new song hits after just one listen. Fun and flirty, the new single is all about a girl and all the ways that she has won over a cowboy. At first glance, the listener may think the song is going to be about something bad, but the writers’ flip that notion on his head, talking about “a good problem to have” aka having a love interest.

“Your kiss tastes like whiskey // And I’m a drinker // You play with my heartstrings // Girl I’m a singer // No, it ain’t no joke // You’re a smoke show // I’m a Marlboro man, when I’m holding your hand // You’re a wildcard // I’m a gambler // I was going nowhere // You wrecked my plans girl // I got a problem // But what a damn good problem to have”

Milligan proves his talent yet agin with “I Got A Problem.” The song is the perfect addition to anyone’s music library.

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

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

“I Got A Problem” 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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Drake Milligan: ‘Dallas/Fort Worth’ – Debut Album Review

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Drake Milligan’s brand new debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth is out today, September 15th, on all streaming platforms. Learn about the record and take a listen below.

A little over a year ago, we introduced you to rising artist and singer-songwriter, Drake Milligan. Today, Milligan is bringing more music into the world. His debut album, cleverly named, Dallas/Fort Worth is out now.

The fourteen-song project, all co-written by the singer, features songs for the heartbroken, songs for the in-love, and of course, songs for every country music fan. Milligan cleverly split the project in two. In the first half, Dallas features more modern country songs, while Fort Worth is all about traditional country. According to the singer in a recent interview for Taste of Country, “My goal was to bring those same distinctions to the two parts of this album. On Dallas, the songs have a little more polish on their boots. On Fort Worth, there are nods to those traditional Honky-Tonkin’, Western swingin’, cowboy culture roots that I’m based in.” The influences are definitely evident on the project.

The record kicks off with “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” his single heading to country radio next week! Featuring Milligan’s country-rock charm, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” is an enticing jam.

“I never had a reason, girl // To go ’round lookin’ for a fire to walk through // It ain’t like me to want somebody // Rearrangin’ all my want-to’s // I ain’t the kind to settle down // And let myself get wrapped around // Somebody’s finger, but if I had you // Baby, sounds like somethin’ I’d do”

Milligan keeps the energy going with the next song on the project, “Kiss Goodbye All Night.” On, “Hating Everything She Tries On,” one of our favorites on the album, the singer slows it down a bit, reflecting on how his girl is having a hard time finding what to wear. It is a sweet twist on the things you love about your partner. Milligan continues to profess his love on the first of two ballads on the first half of the project, “She” and “Dance of a Lifetime”. A standout track, “She” is an eloquent depiction of when a man loves a woman. The latter, “Dance of a Lifetime” is also a standout track, a true embodiment of love.

The singer ups the tempo again on “Bad Day To Be A Beer,” a clever party song, perfect for summer and tailgates. However, on “Hearts Don’t Break Even,” Milligan tells the touching, yet melancholy story of heartbreak at the end of a relationship, even if both parties agree to break up.

As Milligan switches gears to the Fort Worth part of the record, he lets the rowdy out with the opening two tracks, “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinking'” and “Tipping Point.” The rowdy comes out again on his song, “Long Haul.”

However, on “Don’t Look Down,” Milligan taps back into his romantic side. The song feels like it would fit in effortlessly with the love songs from his old-school predecessors like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Milligan continues to bring that traditional style into the next song off the project, the only collaboration. The singer enlists Vince Gill on the banjo-heavy song “Goin’ Down Strong.”

Milligan leans back into the heartbreak of it all with the track “Save It For A Sunny Day,” while the final track on the album, “Cowboy Kind of Way” fully commits to country love and living.

Dallas/Fort Worth is an album that showcases true artistry and talent. Milligan creates a story throughout all of the fourteen songs while allowing each half its own spotlight. It is clear from his debut that Milligan is steadfast in his journey as a country singer-songwriter and entertainer. He is where he is meant to be.

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Drake Milligan’s debut album, ‘Dallas/Forth Worth’ is out now


Drake Milligan – Dallas/Fort Worth Tracklist:

  1. “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” (Drake Milligan/Brett Beavers/Terry McBride)
  2. “Kiss Goodbye All Night” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/ Josh Jenkins/Phil O’Donnell)
  3. “Hating Everything She Tries On” (Drake Milligan/Brent Anderson/Lynn Hutton)
  4. “She” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/John Pierce)
  5. “Bad Day to Be a Beer” (Drake Milligan/Marv Green/JT Harding)
  6. “Hearts Don’t Break Even” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Liz Rose)
  7. “Dance of a Lifetime” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Phil O’Donnell)

 

  1. “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’” (Drake Milligan/Brice Long/Brett Beavers)
  2. “Tipping Point” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Terry McBride/Josh London)
  3. “Don’t Look Down” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/John Pierce)
  4. “Goin’ Down Swingin’” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Phil O’Donnell
  5. “Save It for a Sunny Day” (Drake Milligan/Marv Green/Tim Nichols)
  6. “Long Haul” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Bob DiPIero
  7. “Cowboy Kind of Way” (Drake Milligan/Brandon Hood/Terry McBride)

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

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

Dallas/Fort Worth 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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Drake Milligan: Self-titled EP – Review

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Drake Milligan’s self-titled EP is out today, July 23, on all streaming platforms. The project is produced by country legend Tony Brown and Brandon Hood, and features five new tracks co-written by Milligan. Check out the brand new music and our full review below, but first, visit the link below on Instagram to enter to win a personalized video message from the budding star!

From the opening notes of Drake Milligan’s debut EP it’s clear there’s something different about the 23-year old country crooner. The Texas native isn’t leaning into popular trends here, but is instead embracing a sound that can be best described as “old school in a new way.” Joining a class that includes the likes of Midland, William Michael Morgan, Josh Turner, and Mo Pitney, Milligan is putting a modern spin on country music that has a more traditional sound.

Recently signed to BBR Music Group/ Stoney Creek Records, the EP marks Milligan’s first release of original music. The singer-songwriter moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Nashville at the age of nineteen and has spent the last four years honing his craft alongside some of Music City’s biggest names. “The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers, and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Milligan in a statement. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!”

The EP, produced by country icons Tony Brown and Brandon Hood, opens with “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’,” a classic-sounding country drinking song. With twangy fiddle and mid-tempo country guitars, Milligan sings of the chaos that happens in a honky-tonk when the crowd’s got one thing on its mind. 

“Don’t Look Down” is a romantic ode to getting lost on the dancefloor with someone special. Musically, the track has a swinging tempo, slide guitars, and an almost ethereal sound as Milligan sings of being “in love with the rhythm of holding you girl.” He invites her to enjoy the special moment, “Don’t look down // Just keep your eyes on me,” he implores his dance partner. “I wanna be all you see // While we’re spinning around.”

“Kiss Goodbye All Night” continues the theme of enjoying and savoring a special moment, showing Milligan’s fun side. The music and tempo is reminiscent of Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance?”, and the song is pure country fun. Milligan shines on this flirty ode to a night that turns into morning. “Let’s just kiss goodbye all night,” He sings with a swagger that convinces the listener he isn’t often turned down. “And kiss a little more in the morning.”

Milligan shows his softer side on “She,” a sparse yet beautiful song about one special woman. “She walks in a room // And turns every head on a dime // She’d be something to lose // She’s nothing like you’ll ever find // She’s so beautifully beautiful as can be // And I can’t believe that she’s mine,” he croons. “Oh I wish that she // Could see what I see.”

The EP ends with “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” a driving up-tempo about the lengths a man will go when he’s in love. While Milligan is a true storyteller on the slower songs, he also excels on songs like this that allow him to show his fun, young, and quick-singing side.

On his debut EP, Drake Milligan perfectly introduces himself to the country music world in a way that’s unique and different. He proves that you don’t have to be old to embrace tradition, managing to put a modern spin on the genre that’s sure to endear him to listeners of every age.

Check back on Monday, July 26th at 7:30PM ET for an exclusive interview and performance from Drake Milligan live from New York City, on our Facebook Page.

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Drake Milligan’s debut self-titled EP is out now, July 23rd.

Drake Milligan EP Tracklist:

  1. Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’ (Drake Milligan, Brice Long, Brett Beavers)
  2. Don’t Look Down (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
  3. Kiss Goodbye All Night (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, Phil O’Donnell, Josh Jenkins)
  4. She (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
  5. Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do (Drake Milligan, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)

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

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

Drake Milligan EP 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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Who Is Drake Milligan? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

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Drake Milligan / Photo Credit: Jay Blakesberg

The Beginning:

We love sharing new artists that we believe in with you all! Today, we get to introduce singer-songwriter, Drake Milligan. The rising new artist is hard to not love! With music coming out this week and a true love for music, Milligan is an artist that will appeal to fanbases across the country genre.

Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, music was definitely a part of the landscape of the singer’s childhood. “My first introduction to music was probably my dad’s records,” he tells us. “He would always have some great CDs in his car. Alan Jackson records of course.” Milligan’s father introduced him to traditional country artists that remain a staple in his influences today. The artist credits greats like George Jones, Merle Haggard, and George Strait as some of his top picks in the country realm.

Milligan fell in love even more with music in general, when he was just a young kid. “At 7 years old, I discovered Elvis,” he begins, “I learned all I could about music and decided I wanted to be an entertainer like him.” As fate would have it, Milligan ended up playing Elvis on CMT’s show ‘Sun Records’ later in life.

Despite his love for the entertaining side of music, Milligan had bigger dreams and untapped potential that was soon to be recognized. “I always kinda wanted to be a rockstar. I had papers in 2nd grade about what you wanted to be when you grew up and it was always rockstar or something like that.”

The Turning Point:

Upon moving to Nashville, Tennessee, Milligan’s dreams became more attainable. “I was lucky enough to get in the room with some of my favorite writers in Nashville,” he recalls, adding later that one of the first people he met in town was legendary producer, Tony Brown. “Tony definitely helped me find my voice […] Originally when I came to town, I definitely wasn’t planning on being one of those guys that writes everything.”

Interestingly enough, it was through songwriting that Milligan finally honed in on his natural-born talent. Surrounding himself with the right team of people, the singer was able to tap into a unique perspective as a singer-songwriter, melding old-school country music with some modern-day flair of influences like Cody Johnson and Dierks Bentley.

“I found myself going back more than I do going towards new music. Discovering stuff from artists that were recorded in the 60s that I never heard,” shares Milligan recalling the process of really honing in on his own style as an artist. After a few years of writing every day, the singer felt comfortable enough to co-write original music.

Today:

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Drake Milligan’s debut self-titled EP is due out Friday, July 23rd

Nowadays, Milligan is anticipating the release of his debut self-titled EP. The record comes out this Friday (7/23). It features five original songs, all co-written by the singer himself. “It was really through co-writing and Brandon Hood, to his credit, really helped me try to hone in on finding my voice through storytelling,” shares Milligan about the process of writing the record. “There’s a lot of those songs where you can hear a lot of those influences.”

Milligan also shares how effortlessly the record came together. “It’s just being around good guys and getting to know them and their stories, it’s one of my favorite parts and by the end of the day, hopefully after a bunch of stories and some good times, we have a song.”

Of course, it is impossible to pick a favorite off the project, but the singer did share that the ballad, “Don’t Look Down” is one of his favorites to perform. “I miss melodies in music quite a bit,” shares Milligan. “We went for it… we didn’t hold back!” Other songs that fans can anticipate on the record are “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’” and “She.”

With the EP release coming soon, the singer cannot wait for fans to hear everything and hopefully get to play songs live real soon. The singer already has some shows lined up and shares that he is still writing every day. It is a very exciting time for the budding artist! Congrats to Drake Milligan!

Check back here on Friday, July 23rd for a full review of the music and on Tuesday, July 27th, check back for a very special performance + interview from Drake Milligan live from New York City.

Connect:

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

To keep up with Drake Milligan, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Check out 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.