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MacKenzie Porter: ‘Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart’ – Debut Album Review

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MacKenzie Porter shares her new debut album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new tracks here.

With a slew of #1 hits already under her belt in Canada, MacKenzie Porter is poised to make a name for herself in the states. On her debut full length with Big Loud Records, the singer-songwriter promises that Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart.

Produced by Joey Moi, the nineteen track collection is sure to take listeners on a journey. Porter co-wrote on nine of the album’s tracks, enlisting Music Row heavyweights like Hillary Lindsey, Tofer Brown, Emily Weisband, Parker Welling, and more to contribute.

Best known for duet with Dustin Lynch on the #1 hit, “Thinking ‘Bout You,” Porter is thrilled to get these new songs to her fans. “Nobody’s born with a broken heart. We all start with the naivety and innocence of youth, but then life happens. There are so many circumstances and events in a lifetime that can slowly chip away at your heart, and in the end you’re this beautiful, imperfect, cracked, mess. But isn’t that what living really is? If you didn’t have the grit, would you really know the grace?” She wrote on Instagram. “That is what this record is about. These songs are those moments in my life. I hope they maybe heal a couple of those moments in yours.”

Despite being happily married with a new baby, much of the album revolves around the universal theme of heartbreak. “Every time I tell people that [the album is about heartbreak], they’re like, ‘well, you’re in a relationship and you’re happy.’ I am, of course, but there’s a lot of different elements of heartbreak in life.” 

The album opens with one of those such songs, “Easy to Miss,” a perfect slice of R&B tinted country pop that’s the perfect album kick off. The project was built around this track, allowing Porter to stretch herself vocally, lyrically, and stylistically.

Other songs centered around heartbreak include “Young at Heart,” “Confession,” and “Pay Me Back in Change.” On “Young,” Porter channels her inner “Picture to Burn”-era Taylor Swift, admitting that she can’t quite be mature in the aftermath of a breakup. On the powerful “Confession,” she’s more vulnerable, admitting she’s still in love with her ex, voice laced with sadness. Lastly, “Pay Me Back in Change” is lyrical brilliance, Porter imploring a guy to change in order to be a man who’s worthy of her. 

“You can’t pay me back in sorry // Can’t pay me back with what you say // All those pretty words lose meaning // If I’m still lonely the next day // Can’t pay me back with breakfast in bed // Or a Sunday matinee // The only thing that’ll settle this debt// Is if you pay me back in change”

Likewise “Strong Things” finds her drowning her sorrows in the bottle, while “Foreclosure” cleverly compares the end of a relationship to losing a house. “Sucker Punch” leaves her breathless after an infidelity, remembering both the good and bad moments that managed to take her breath away.

“Thought we were the champions// Thought we were the type// To never throw the towel in// Never lose a fight// Didn’t hear the train// ‘Til it hit me from behind// Feeling like a fool now// ‘Cause it caught me by surprise// When you laid it on me all at once//It hit me like a sucker punch”

On “Bet You Break My Heart,” the Canada native finds herself swooning over a guy who she knows isn’t good for her, while “Wrong One Yet” is a bit more optimistic, finding hope in a new relationship. Over airy music, her heart is aflutter as she muses, “I ain’t saying he’s the right one, but hell, he ain’t the wrong one yet.”

Porter is truly content on tracks like “Coming Home to You” and “Less is More,” both which find her achieving solace in simplicity. On the latter, she admits, “They say that we got nothing, but nothing here is everything.” LIkewise, “Coming Home” is a sweet midtempo which finds her soothing lilt soaring above strumming acoustic guitars and light percussion to achieve a whimsical and airy feel. Here, she loves what she has, and realizes that the grass isn’t always greener.

“There’s always gonna be bigger houses // Longer driveways with nicer cars // There’s always gonna be whiter fences // Redder roses, in a greener yard // Most people would kill for a // Higher up hill looking down on a better view // But I don’t want no bigger house if I ain’t coming home to you”

Porter puts her own spin on truck songs with “Along Those Lines” and “Pickup,”  with “Pickup” finding her wondering who’s riding shotgun now. With the catchy TikTok-able soundbite, she asks “Who’s that pickup picking up now?”

There are some  country bangers here in the form of “Walk Away” and “Rough Ride for a Cowboy.” Both find her putting a cowboy in his place, with “Rough Ride” settling into a wild west, horserace musical vibe. It’s uber catchy as she proclaims, “Now he’s ‘bout to learn what lonely looks like // When I cut him loose but his hands are tied // Nothing breaks his heart like breaking his pride // When he ain’t got the reigns on goodbye // That’s a rough ride for a cowboy.”

Other pieces of earwormy pop-country include “Have Your Beer,” a kiss off track that finds her toying with the old adage that one can’t have his cake and eat it too, musing “You can’t have your beer and drink it too.” Likewise, “Chasing Tornadoes” sounds like early 2000’s-inspired country in the best way possible, finding Porter flexing sounds that could best be compared to Some Hearts-era Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, or Gloriana.

Porter is as sensitive as she is tough, evidenced on songs like “Nightingale” and  the title track, “Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart.” “Nightingale” is a poignant letter of encouragement to her current self to be more like her younger self. “The song is about just being the girl that I was when I moved to Nashville, who literally thought that anything was possible and that I was going to be on the radio and a star,” She reveals. “I wanted to think like her again.”

The album concludes with its stunning title track about the innocence of youth, inspired by her own young daughter. “My little girl is gonna come into this world with no negative thoughts or preconceived notions, and she’s going to have relationships and experience heartbreak,” She reveals. “And I hope she does, because that’s what shows that you loved and that you lived.” 

“I learned the hard way that growing up is hard // ‘Cause nobody’s born with a broken heart // Love’s a blade and God it’s sharp // Smooth as steel but leaves a mark // Proof of life is dying with scar // ‘Cause nobody’s born with a broken heart // Yeah nobody’s born with a broken heart.”

While heartbreak may be a prevalent theme on Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart, MacKenzie Porter possesses a vulnerable honesty seen by the likes of early Kelsea Ballerini or Taylor Swift, sure to win over a whole legion of new fans.

Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart Track List:

  1. Easy To Miss (Hillary Lindsey, Emily Warren, Will Weatherly)*
  2. Young At Heart (Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate, Emily Weisband)
  3. Bet You Break My Heart (Mark Holman, Chris Tompkins, Travis Wood)
  4. Pay Me Back In Change (Emma Klein)
  5. Rough Ride For A Cowboy (MacKenzie Porter, Lauren Hungate, Luke Niccoli, Lydia Vaughan)
  6. Coming Home To You (Tofer Brown, Lauren Hungate, Caroline Watkins, Emily Weisband)
  7. Strong Things (MacKenzie Porter, John Byron, Jacob Durrett, Lauren LaRue)
  8. Confession (MacKenzie Porter, Emma-Lee, Karen Kosowski)
  9. Wrong One Yet (Blake Pendergrass, Josh Thompson, Lauren Watkins)
  10. Pickup (MacKenzie Porter, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
  11. Nightingale (MacKenzie Porter, Mark Trussell, Parker Welling)
  12. Have Your Beer (MacKenzie Porter, Jason Massey, Lydia Vaughan, Parker Welling)
  13. Sucker Punch (MacKenzie Porter, Tommy English, Nick Long)
  14. Walk Away (MacKenzie Porter, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite)
  15. Foreclosure (Jared Hampton, Harper O’Neill, Vinnie Paolizzi, Ash Ruder)
  16. Less Is More (Devin Dawson, Zachary Kale, Jon Nite)
  17. Along Those Lines (Rocky Block, Blake Pendergrass)
  18. Chasing Tornadoes (Emily Landis, Jamie Moore, Lainey Wilson)
  19. Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart (MacKenzie Porter, Luke Niccoli, Lydia Vaughan, Parker Welling)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Wrong One Yet
  2. Coming Home to You
  3. Rough Ride for a Cowboy
  4. Pickup
  5. Chasing Tornadoes
Mackenzie-porter-4-new-song

MacKenzie Porter’s new album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, out now.

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

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Visit her official website for tour dates and more.

Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart 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.

who-is-mackenzie-porter

Who is MacKenzie Porter? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music 2024

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Who is MacKenzie Porter? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about her journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

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MacKenzie Porter // Photo credit: Bree Marie Fish

Quick Facts:

Full Name – MacKenzie Lea Porter
Birthdate – 01/29/1990
Hometown – Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – The Chicks, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks
Label – Big Loud Records
Current Single – “Easy To Miss”  // as of date of article: 4/22/2024

The Beginning:

This week’s spotlight artist is one that we have loved for a few years, ever since she came on to the American country music scene. Canadian country artist and Nashville transplant, MacKenzie Porter has had music in her blood since she was a young kid. We chatted with the singer-songwriter about her childhood, her move to Nashville, record deal with Big Loud Records, and her debut album slated for release this Friday (4/26).

Growing up on a ranch outside of Alberta, Canada, Porter found herself gravitating to music when she was only four years old. “We lived on a ranch. There was nothing else to do other than play music,” she shared. “Country music was just what my parents listened to, what my grandparents listed to. It was all that filled the car and the house as far as music, so I fell in love with it when I was super young because of the lifestyle and where I grew up.”

Porter recalls singing and playing the fiddle at an early age, always drawing inspiration from the iconic 90s country artists she listened to on the radio. “I grew up in the 90s, so it was the radio. Anything 90s country was kind of like how I was raised. The Chicks was my first concert,” she shared. Adding, “I feel like I can pull inspiration from anyone like Kacey Musgraves, even my friends who are songwriters that are making music. I’m just inspired by different songs that they write, and even their work ethic too.”

With artists like Shania Twain, Martina McBride, The Chicks, and Deana Carter on her radio airwaves, Porter aspired to move to Nashville and fulfill her dreams. She started writing songs and eventually began making trips back and forth to Music City.

The Turning Point:

Almost ten years ago, Porter made the big move to Nashville to pursue her dreams. “I started making trips to Nashville almost 10 years ago [before moving] just trying to write with whoever I could write with and weasel my way into parties and rooms just to get to know people,” shared the songstress.

Eventually, Porter met her now producer, Joey Moi, who changed the trajectory of her career. “Over the course of ten years, I met some really pivotal people. I met Joey Moi. He’s my producer to this day, and he signed me to my record deal. […] He’s kind of been my champion from the beginning,” she shared. “We’ve been working on music together since 2016, and we were finally at the place, where my team and I felt it was finally the time to put out my debut record.”

As a Big Loud Records recording artist, Porter has been working on her craft for years. She has written hundreds of songs a year, since moving to Nashville, as well as, continues to entice fans with her one-of-a-kind talent. “It’s so worth it to see people feel something about your music.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Porter is on the brink of releasing her major-label debut album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, out this Friday, April 26th. The record boasts 19 songs that all speak to the songstress’ growth as an artist and her hardworking over the last several years.

“There’s been so much love and tears and everything that has gone into this record. […] We’ve been cutting it for over a year, but I’ve been writing songs for years, trying to get the right ones for this body of work. I’m excited to because now I get to be on this schedule where they’ll never be this long of a gap between records again,” shared the singer.

While there are fun, anthemic songs on the record like her newly released single, “Have Your Beer,” most of the record showcases the more introspective side of Porter in the hopes that fans will feel heard and understood through her music.

“The theme for the record is centered around heartbreak, and not just relationship heartbreak. There’s heartbreak like in the song “Nightingale,” that’s a little bit more about my career. “Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart” is kind of like a lifestyle struggle from my whole life,” shared the singer. “I wanted it to be like we all start off so innocent and pure and life throws shit at us, and we have to be hit by it or dodge it or get scraped by it, and at the end we are this hot mess, but it’s really beautiful because it shows you loved people and went through things and took chances. I feel like each of these songs are these little scrapes that I’ve endured along the way.”

Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart will open new doors for Porter, as she embarks on the biggest year in her carer. Catch Porter at one of her live shows this year, and make sure to stream the album when it comes out!

Connect:

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

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

MacKenzie Porter’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.

mackenzie-porter-debut-album

MacKenzie Porter Shares “Have Your Beer” Ahead of Debut Album

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MacKenzie Porter shares a brand new song called “Have Your Beer,” out now, April 19th. Listen to the new track here.

Canadian-country star, MacKenzie Porter is on the brink of having a huge year. The Big Loud Records recording artist’s debut album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, will be out on April 26th. Porter is giving fans a final taste of the album with another brand new song off the highly-anticipated project. Her new song, “Have Your Beer” is out now.

While much of the record speaks to different iterations of heartbreak, Porter does a great job sprinkling in some anthemic and stage-ready songs throughout her umping project. “Have Your Beer” is one of those songs. The new track speaks to the “boy bye” mentality, after a break-up. Throughout the song, Porter reminds girls to know their worth and doubles down on the notion that it is his loss.

“Don’t forget who broke up with who // We both know that’s on you // Yea baby you // Can’t say goodbye then show back up // Can’t change your mind when you get drunk // Can’t shoot your shot after it’s gone // Can’t want me soon as I’ve moved on // You said you don’t now you do // But it’s too late baby you // Can’t have your beer and drink it too”

Porter is an artist to lookout for. Everything she releases feels undeniably “her.” Stay on the lookout for her debut album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart coming out next week (4/26).

Mackenzie-porter-4-new-song

MacKenzie Porter shares new song, “Have Your Beer,” 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 MacKenzie Porter releases.

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Have Your Beer” 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.

mackenzie-porter-byBree Marie Fish

MacKenzie Porter Releases New Song “Coming Home To You”

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MacKenzie Porter shares a brand new song called “Come Home To You,” out now, March 1st. Listen to the new track here.

Canadian-country star, MacKenzie Porter is primed to have a huge year in 2024. The Big Loud Records recording artist recently shared that her debut album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, will be out on April 26th. Back in January, Porter gave fans a sneak peek of what’s to come on the project, releasing four brand new songs. Today, she is sharing another new song off the upcoming project called “Come Home To You.”

Written by Tower Brown, Lauren Hungate, Caroline Watkins, and Emily Weisband, “Come Home To You” is a beautiful song that effortlessly fits in with Porter’s artistry. The song expresses true love in a way that is both refreshing and romantic. “Come Home To You” is a true love letter to loving the right person, and knowing that you would live in a shoebox if it meant staying together.

“I know we look at our friends sometimes // And think they’re living our dream // Why would I wish for a different life // We don’t got it all, but we got all we need // There’s always gonna be bigger houses // Longer driveways with nicer cars // There’s always gonna be whiter fences // Redder roses, in a greener yard // Most people would kill for a // Higher up hill looking down on a better view // But I don’t want no bigger house if // I ain’t coming home to you”

Porter is an artist to look out for. Everything she releases feels undeniably “her.” “Come Home To You” is another great song to add to her catalog.

Mackenzie-porter-4-new-song

MacKenzie Porter shares new song, “Coming Home To 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 MacKenzie Porter releases.

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Coming Home To 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.

mackenzie-porter-byBree Marie Fish

MacKenzie Porter Shares 4 New Songs Ahead of Debut Album

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MacKenzie Porter shares 4 brand new songs including, “Easy To Miss” and “Young At Heart,” ahead of upcoming debut album. Listen to the new tracks below.

Canadian-country star, MacKenzie Porter is primed to have a huge year in 2024. The Big Loud Records recording artist just announced the release date for her debut album, Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart, out April 26th. To celebrate the news, the songstress is giving fans a sneak peak of what’s to come on the project, releasing four brand new songs.

The first of the sampler project is a song called “Easy To Miss.” The mid-tempo song is easily digestible and catchy, even after just one listen. While the story behind the song is about missing someone you are no longer with, the juxtaposition between the story-telling and the dynamics of the song make the song interesting and fun to listen to

“Well it’s hard waking up in the morning // And it’s hard getting sleep at night // And it’s hard when I’m reeling, staring at the ceiling with you on my mind // And it’s hard holding onto nothing with my arms round the emptiness // But it’s harder to let go // Why you gotta be so easy to miss?”

Next up, “Pay Me Back In Change,” written by Emma Klein continues the story of heartbreak in a new perspective. Porter’s vocals are beautiful, as she conveys the quiet lyrics in a perfectly effortless way. The song portrays the cracks in a relationship, where the protagonist asks their lover to change, rather than to keep putting a bandaid on the parts that need fixing.

Porter continues the beautiful story-telling on the upcoming title track. Written by Porter with Luke Niccoli, Lydia Vaughan, and Parker Welling, “Nobody’s Born With A Broken Heart” is a standout. Throughout the song, Porter shares the experiences she has been through, candidly expressing heartbreak in both an honest and vulnerable way.

“Daddy yells // Mommas eyes love like the summer rain // Old enough to know what’s going on // To young to drive away // I learned the hard way that growing up is hard // “Cause nobody’s born with a broken heart // Love’s a blade and God it’s a sharp // Smooth as steel but leaves a mark // Proof of life is dying with scars // ‘Cause nobody’s born with a broken heart // Yeah nobody’s born with a broken heart”

Rounding out the four-song release, Porter shares a song called, “Young At Heart.” Much like the previous singles, the single expresses honesty and storytelling in the most beautiful of ways. Throughout the song, Porter shares about healing, heartbreak, and everything in between.

Overall, the four-song teaser is a perfect introduction into Porter’s incredible talent. She has a knack for bringing stories and emotions to life through music. Stay tuned for the full album release, coming this April!

Mackenzie-porter-4-new-song

MacKenzie Porter shares 4 brand new 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 MacKenzie Porter releases.

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

MacKenzie Porter’s new songs 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.

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Dustin Lynch’s “Thinking ‘Bout You” with MacKenzie Porter Goes #1

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Dustin Lynch’s song, “Thinking ‘Bout You” with MacKenzie Porter officially goes number one on the country radio charts.

This week, Dustin Lynch scores his eighth number one song with “Thinking “Bout You.” For his collaborator, MacKenzie Porter, while she has three number one songs on Canadian country charts, the single marks Porter’s very first US number one hit.

Back in March, Lynch released a new version of the song as a single featuring pop-country vocalist, Porter on the track with him. The push-pull of the two distinct voices create an interesting dynamic on the already enticing tune. It was just a matter of time before the track became a hit with fans and radio alike.

“I was just thinkin’ ’bout that weekend out on Cumberland Lake // And that one time in Baton Rouge when we made out in the rain // Where we went chasin’ fallin’ stars on a hill at your daddy’s farm // Don’t be sorry for callin’ me up out of the blue // I was was just thinkin’ ’bout you // Oh, I was just thinkin’ ’bout you”

It is always exciting to see an established entertainer collaborate with a rising artist. It is even more exciting to see the song hit the number one spot! Congrats to Lynch and Porter and their teams on their success!

Join our Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Dustin Lynch and MacKenzie Porter announcements and releases.

To keep up with Dustin Lynch, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Thinking ‘Bout 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 Reveals 2022 ‘Fancy Like’ Tour

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Walker Hayes is hitting the road with MacKenzie Porter on the 2022 ‘Fancy Like’ Tour. Get all the dates and details below. 

2022 is looking bright for Walker Hayes. The singer-songwriter is kicking off the new year with a headlining tour. The ‘Fancy Like’ Tour kicks off on January 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan and will make several stops throughout the country on the 4-month trek including shows in New York City, Austin, Texas and Mobile, Alabama. Joining him on tour will b opening act, MacKenzie Porter.

“Fancy Like Tour comin at cha…jacked to be playin all these cities. @mackenziepmusic will be joinin and if you don’t know her yet…you should,” Walker teases on Instagram.

Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday. For more information, visit walkerhayes.com and follow @WalkerHayes on social media.

 

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

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more.

Exclusive Interview with MacKenzie Porter Talking All Things Music & More

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Country Swag recently chatted with MacKenzie Porter, almost exactly a year after we first introduced her in our Artist Spotlight Series. Read our exclusive interview as we caught up with the songstress below!

Mackenzie Porter

Mackenzie Porter, Photo Credit: Bree Marie Fish

MacKenzie Porter has had quite the year, so far. Between new music, receiving multiple nominations for a slew of awards, and joining a national tour with Jordan Davis, the budding star has showed no signs of slowing down. 

On the topic of tour, Porter shares, “My favorite part of tour so far is hearing people get excited and sing back every single lyric of Thinking ‘Bout You!” She adds, “So many people know that song, and it’s such a cool feeling.”

Earlier this year, Porter collaborated with Dustin Lynch on “Thinking ‘Bout You,” which is currently sitting in the Top 15 at Country Radio. The duet has already completely changed her career – it’s one of the biggest hits of the year – and it has also given Porter a new music friend to celebrate wins with. “Dustin is such a good guy,” she begins. “He is truly a beautiful human being. He’s been taking me out on the road with him and he’s included me in so much stuff. It’s been really cool,” Porter adds.

 

“Dustin & I were talking earlier today about getting to celebrate those wins together. Normally, as an artist, it’s just yourself and you’re like, ‘go me!’. But, when you have another person, you can kind of feed off of each other. Him and I go back and forth texting like, ‘it’s 16 this week, it’s 15 this week!'”

The incredibly infectious track is not the first big hit under Porter’s belt. Her Drinkin’ Songs project includes multiple singles that went #1 and top 5 in Canada. The project also includes deeper cuts that fans still really gravitate towards, like the cleverly catchy “Drive Thru”.

 

Porter shared the story behind that song with us during our conversation. “I wrote that with Natalie Hemby and Tommy English. We were in Tommy’s basement studio and Natalie, who’s one of my favorite writers, came in with the title,” she says. “’Drive-Thru what you’re talking about.’ Like how could we make this like a country, like a sassy, Lizzo thing? We were just thinking about what is that for girls? being like, ‘oh, hell no, you’re not going to call me whenever you want.’ It was a really fun day writing that.”

As for what’s next, Porter is currently working on her next project slated for release early next year. Hinting at what’s to come, Porter tells us, “It’s a whole new project, and one song ‘Unlonely Me’ is out now.” She added,  “I cut a new one yesterday called “Pickup” and I’m really, really excited for it. I just feel like it could be a special one.” 

 

It is safe to say that Porter is on her way to taking over country music in the United States. She already is back home in Canada and it’s only a matter of time before she makes her name a mainstay here too. To catch MacKenzie Porter on tour with Jordan Davis, visit her website here. 

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

To keep up with MacKenzie Porter follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

MacKenzie Porter’s music is 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.

 

5 New Female Country Artists to Be Excited About

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Here are five new female country music artists that you should be paying attention to as they establish themselves in the genre.

Country music is ever-growing and it’s sound is ever-changing. These five female artists are among the many fresh faces that are helping grow country music with their own unique flavor. We’re excited about what these ladies have done so far and what they will go on to do and we think you should be paying attention to them as they continue to pave their paths.

Ashley Cooke

Listen: “Jealous of the Sky”

Ashley Cooke is currently enjoying an incredible breakout year as an independent artist. We were first introduced to the budding star with the release of her debut single “Jealous of the Sky” in October of 2020, followed by “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night”. The ladder debuted #1 on the iTunes Country Chart and #15 all-genre. Cooke added to the new music with her debut EP, ‘Already Drank That Beer – Side A’, recently released on August 27th. Cooke is a Tiktok success story. In fact, back in April she celebrated one year of her very first video that went on to receive over two million views and sent her into the public eye with a massive following. Check out the video here. Cooke moved to Nashville when she was 18 to attend Belmont University and has since co-created The 615 House, a collab house in Nashville created as a result of the pandemic for country singers and songwriters to create content, build fan-bases, and collaborate with other like-minded young new talent.

Follow Ashley Cooke on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Tenille Arts

Listen: “I Hate This”

Tenille Arts, alongside the remainder of the women on this list, were each named one of ten female artists in CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021. Arts, born and raised in Canada, first caught attention when she appeared on The Bachelor in 2018, which resulted in a record deal with the indie label, Reviver Records. Her second appearance on the show came a year later when she performed her song “I Hate This”, which hit #1 on the US and Canadian iTunes Country Charts and #9 on US iTunes all-genre. Her third appearance on The Bachelor came just before she released her latest album Love, Heartbreak, and Everything In Between. Arts landed her very first number one song earlier this year with “Somebody Like That” and fans can look forward to brand new music from the singer-songwriter from her upcoming album, Girl to Girl, due out October 22nd.

Follow Tenille Arts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

MacKenzie Porter

Listen: “Drinkin’ Songs”

Signed with Big Loud Records, MacKenzie Porter is experiencing rising success after two years of releasing music including her EP: Drinkin’ Songs: The Collection, which includes popular singles like “The One”, “Drinkin’ Songs”, and “These Days”. Porter also collaborated with Dustin Lynch earlier this year on their current fast-rising single “Thinking ‘Bout You”. The Canadian-native moved to Nashville in 2014. Since then she has collaborated with many well-known songwriters. She has shared the stage with some of the biggest in the business including Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Chris Lane, and Dallas Smith. We featured Porter in a spotlight interview late last year and you can check it out to learn more about her journey to country music here.

Follow MacKenzie Porter on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Harper Grae

Listen: “Still Your Mother”

Harper Grae, an Alabama-native, made waves with a song she released earlier this year called, “Still Your Mother.” It is a beautiful song that pulls on the heart strings about mothers who have either suffered a miscarriage or are the mothers of what Grae likes to call ‘rainbow babies’. Personal to her own story, Grae received a much-deserved overwhelming response for mothers that have used this song as their own therapy, much like Grae did for herself. Grae released her debut album, Break Your Crowns, in 2017, and since then has released singles like “Monster” (2018), “Bloodline” (2018), “Muddy Water” (2020), “Best For You” (2020), and “Caviar and Bars” (2021). She has been named one of CMT’s “Five LGBTQ and Americana Artists You Need to Know” and received a 2020 GLAAD award for Rising Country Star.

Follow Harper Grae on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

Brittney Spencer

Listen: “Sober & Skinny”

A Baltimore native, Brittney Spencer made her way to Nashville in 2013 to follow her dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter. She has toured and performed as a background singer for Carrie Underwood and just recently kick-started her own musical career late last year when she released her 4-song debut EP Compassion in December of 2020. Kicking off the new year, Spencer sang on Common Hymnal’s Christian Album Praise and Protest singing “Thoughts and Prayers” with Brock Human. Most recently, she released her latest single, “Skinny & Sober”. Spencer received a shoutout from Maren Morris at the 2020 ACM Awards when she accepted her award for Female Vocalist of the Year and from Mickey Guyton back in April during ACM promotions and a segment “Country Music Looks Like”.

Follow Brittney Spencer on Instagram,  Twitter, and Facebook.

 

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

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.

Dustin Lynch Taps MacKenzie Porter for “Thinking ‘Bout You” Collab

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Dustin Lynch’s “Thinking ‘Bout You” with MacKenzie Porter is available now, March 19th, on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

Last year, Dustin Lynch released his Tullahoma album which included a smashing duet with Lauren Alaina. Now, he re-released “Thinking ‘Bout You” as a single, featuring rising pop-country artist MacKenzie Porter.

The lyrics set the scene of a phone call between two exes reminiscing on their past. Lynch opens the verse and is pleasantly surprised by the call, citing it as “the last call I thought I’d get”. He goes on to ask different questions, such as how she is and how her mother is. In general, the story has vivid imagery, and it continues to build to a booming chorus.

“I was just thinking ’bout that weekend out on Cumberland Lake // And that one time in Baton Rouge when we made out in the rain // Where we went chasing falling stars // On a hill at your daddy’s farm // Don’t be sorry for callin’ me up right out of the blue // I was just thinking ’bout you”

When Porter comes in during the second verse, the song immediately has a different vibe. Lauren Alaina, who previously sang this verse, sounded more nostalgic, while Porter sounds more direct and more almost daring towards Lynch. It gives the song a whole new life. The two of them on the chorus sound really great together, and by the time they reach the last chorus, their voices truly soar.

“Thinking ‘Bout You” has an almost addictive groove to it. The second you hear it, you want to hear it again and again. It’s a perfect song to soundtrack your spring and summer – and hopefully soon, it’ll be amazing at a live show. For now, it’s the perfect piece of candy we need to get through the last few cold weeks of the season.

Dustin Lynch's new song, "Thinking 'Bout You" with MacKenzie Porter is available now, March 19th

Dustin Lynch’s new song, “Thinking ‘Bout You” with MacKenzie Porter is available now, March 19th

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

To keep up with Dustin Lynch, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
To keep up with MacKenzie Porter, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Thinking ‘Bout 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.