Darius Rucker, “My masterpiece”
With “Beers and Sunshine” at the top of the Country Airplay chart, Rucker delves deeper into his next album with this sweet and wavering ode to lasting love. As he states, he may be no Picasso or paint something as grand as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, but his “masterpiece” is to elevate his love for his partner into an art form.
Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall, “Tin Man”
As the May 7 launch of The Marfa Tapes – a collection of songs written by the three singer-songwriters – coming closer, they reveal a raw version of the heartbreaker “Tin Man”, the ACM song of the year winner from Lambert’s 2016 album, “The Weight of These Wings” . The music, reduced to its essence with only Lambert’s vocals and a guitar, remains as moving as when it was first released – as Lambert reminds the Tin Man of the Wizard of Oz that he really doesn’t want a heart, after all, already that will only end up broken like hers. They keep the microphones open after Lambert finishes, unsure if she delivered a solid version. Ingram and Randall guarantee that she did, in fact, hit the nail on the head.
Lady A, “Like A Lady”
The trio releases a fun new song, featuring Lady A’s Hillary Scott at the front, declaring that she is ready to go out, do whatever she wants and treat herself. Fiddles collide with the pop melody and rock guitars in this lively track, which will make you tap your toes right from the first note. It’s also worth listening to just to hear Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood singing “I feel like a lady”In support vocals.
Ingrid Andress, “Lady Like”
Andress’s colorful, Grammy-nominated video for “Lady Like” unfolds like a fashion photo shoot. From clothes to scenery and stunning photography, the clip is a visual feast, without ever distracting from the fun and stimulating lyrics.
Sean Stemaly, “Hello, You Up?”
Regrets? Stemaly has a few. This classic tale of drowning sadness in a bottle after a breakup takes a turnaround here – as Stemaly texts her ex to see how she is doing, although she has told him that she needs a break. Stemaly’s resonant baritone resembles Luke Bryan, in what appears to be an unfailing success for this rising talent.
A promising new singer and songwriter hired by Nicolle Galyon, Tiera’s self-released EP is a sunny collection of upbeat melodies dedicated to love. Her sweet voice floats over the animated opening track, “Found It In You”, and embraces the joy of a Netflix night and creepy on R&B “Laid Back”. She also shows her aggressive side in strengthening the country pop anthem “Not Your Girl”, and is a perfect duet partner with newcomer Breland in “Miles”, who likens their love to a good car. Ignore at your own risk.
Leslie Jordan feat. Chris and Morgane Stapleton, “Farther Along”
Hello, fellow hunters. Everyone’s favorite pandemic friend, the actor Jordan, became an Instagram star during COVID-19, partly due to his weekly gospel posts on Sundays with Travis Howard. Now he has taken up his passion and expanded his fame to make a gospel album. The first track, the classic anthem “Farther Along”, is a great starting point – with Jordan acting as a singer (he does well), preacher and congregation while rooting for Morgane, who takes on the glorious leadership here, and Chris, who starred with the right amount of just lamentations in the end. The arrangements, with full horns, are excellent. Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile and Eddie Vedder are among their duet partners at the April 2 launch.
Caroline Jones, “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable)”
Jones is warning the bad boys with the lively “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable)”, a song that would not have sounded out of place in Shania Twain’s song Come here album. Jones holds all the cards here, making it clear that she is in complete control, and reminding potential suitors: “I will put up with you, but you will not get in my pants” Consider yourself warned.
Joey Hendricks, In the clouds
The debut EP by the composer who became Hendricks artist opens with the sexy mid-tempo seducer “Yours or Mine” on a couple’s first (maybe only) night before turning to “Hollywood”, a song about the intoxicating effect of a woman who is stronger than all drugs in Los Angeles. Two tracks explore nostalgia – caused by looking in the “top drawer” of the dresser in his room and the bittersweet touch of where he grew up in “Going Home”. In the sneaky “Drifter”, Hendricks does not apologize for his reluctance to settle – in a place or with a person – despite his best instincts. Hendricks has a relaxed and unhurried quality in his presentation that gives the music room to breathe and invites the listener to lean in and join him on the journey.
Triston Marez feat. Ronnie Dunn, “Where the Neon Lies”
Marez, whose first album will be released next month, makes an auspicious debut with this vibrant melody, featuring Ronnie Dunn from Brooks & Dunn. The mid-tempo track sounds straight out of a Brooks & Dunn album from the mid-90s (and may remind you of a softer “Neon Moon”). Although Dunn, as always, looks incredible, he doesn’t detract from Marez’s smooth, stellar delivery into the country.
Mallory Johnson and Twin Kennedy, “Wise Woman”
Johnson may sing with a delicate cadence, but his words, written with the Twin Kennedy brothers, carry the strength of decades of women who have struggled to stand their ground and be seen. “Women’s power shouldn’t have a price,” sings Johnson in this beautiful tale of vulnerability and brotherhood that strikes the right chord. Sometimes a hymn can come from the quietest people in the room.