HARDY – Favorite Country Song Written By Creed Miller
HARDY has finally returned home to country music, and it doesn’t feel like his best effort. “Favorite Country Song” is the fifth song on his upcoming EP, and it has a star-studded cast of writers in HARDY, Ashley Gorley, Zach Abend, and Beau Bailey. Despite having some outstanding writers, it feels like another stereotypical radio song merely checking off boxes. It namechecks some of the best country songs ever, like “Chicken Fried” and “Mama Tried,” among others. From there, he jumps into the list of sounds, like the grease popping in the pan that makes up his favorite “country song.” When listening to this, it’s hard to believe that the same artist composed songs like “A ROCK” or “SIGNED SOBER YOU.” It’s no secret that HARDY is capable of much more than this, and you can’t help but wonder if his rock journey didn’t have an impact here. He’s one of the most profound writers of this era, but “Favorite Country Song” is a massive step down and a relatively weak attempt at his reintroduction to country music.
5.5
ERNEST feat. Snoop Dogg – Gettin’ Gone Written By Creed Miller
ERNEST and Snoop Dogg collaborated for DeVille Records’s debut track, and it weirdly makes a ton of sense. Ern has a history in rap music, making this right up his alley, and Snoop was the perfect partner with its content. Penned by ERNEST, Rhett Atkins, Mark Holman, Calvin Broadus, and Ben Hayslip, “Gettin’ Gone” is quite literally about gettin’ gone (smoking weed). As such, it’s not the most thought-provoking song in the world, but Jacob Durett and Ern’s production is what makes it so good. The slick guitar throughout the song immediately gets your foot tapping and creates a level of fluidity that makes everything feel incredibly smooth. The mood it sets aligns effortlessly with the lyrics, wrapping you in a trance that makes you feel like you’re drifting alongside the music. It has the potential to be a nice song to throw on in the background or for a windows-down car drive. “Gettin’ Gone” is a perfect blend of the two artists’ music as it pulls from each of their strengths, providing a fantastic base-level chemistry and making the duet feel natural. ERNEST and Snoop together may not have been on your bingo card, but this collaboration has the chance to be one of the songs of the summer.
8.2
Avery Anna – danny don’t Written By Joel Reuben Pauley
In her latest release, Avery Anna taps into a new world of emotion, showcasing the depth of her writing ability. Written entirely by Anna, “danny don’t” is about the story beneath the surface of a truly troubled man. Taking the role of the narrator, Avery unpacks past trauma in the life of the main character, “Danny,” in an empathetically comforting manner. By uncovering specific moments that may have shaped his unhealthy habits, Avery shows the human elements behind Danny’s negative choices. Danny’s story comes from a fan and is the first single from her upcoming sophomore album, Let Go Letters, with each track being written from real, fan-submitted stories. Although parts of the chord progression and chorus melody feel a little underdeveloped, this song is a great first look at the future project and makes a strong statement for Anna’s songwriting talent.
8.4
Grant Gilbert – Bad Reputation feat. Hudson Westbrook Written By Joel Reuben Pauley
In their way, Grant Gilbert and Hudson Westbrook have come together to make the ultimate heartbreaker anthem with some Texas flair. While not as well known as Hudson, Grant has been active in the Texas country scene since 2019, with the release of his debut album in 2023. Each from the Lonestar State, Gilbert, and Westbrook blend well on this track, which feels equally true to both artists’ sounds. Even just from the first few seconds, you know their two voices would sit perfectly in the song’s production. The message in the lyrics does a good job of communicating that Hudson and Grant are both totally fine with casting themselves as the antagonists in their respective breakups. With a direct meaning, there isn’t much need for overly complex lyricism, although there’s a clever flip of the phrase “I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.” The line “I don’t care even though that I should” might hit a nerve for grammar purists, but it’s hardly enough to overshadow one of the strongest releases of the weekend.
8.1
Heaven Passing Through – Turnpike Troubadours Written By Will Chapman
A standout track from Turnpike Troubadours’ latest project, “Heaven Passing Through” exemplifies Evan Felker’s mastery of weaving poignant narratives with laid-back melodies. In short, it’s an ode to the human experience. Felker’s lyrics paint vivid scenes, from the glow of sawmill lights overshadowing stars to the innocence of a child learning constellations. These snapshots of life emphasize the transient beauty of everyday moments. The recurring line, “Hold on to the moment like it’s Heaven passing through,” is a nice conclusion to his thoughts that wander around some of the most special parts of life: nostalgia, unrequited love, and parenthood. Musically, the track maintains the band’s signature earthy sound, blending acoustic elements with pedal steel and fiddle. Over the past few years, that acoustic-driven sound has increased in popularity, but nobody uses it as effectively and intentionally as the Turnpike Troubadours. Felker’s earnest vocals, complemented by the band’s cohesive instrumentation, create a warm, yearning atmosphere. Striking the same vein as “Diamonds and Gasoline” or “Pay No Rent,” “Heaven Passing Through” sees the Turnpike Troubadours deliver yet another reflective piece, standing as a testament to the ephemeral nature of life and their unwavering ability to connect with listeners through authentic, emotional depth.
9.6
Lana Del Rey – Henry come on Written By Ryan Lippe
Lana Del Rey first announced 16 months ago that she would be working on a country album, and “Henry, come on” is seemingly her first introduction to this musical venture. The song may not have been marketed entirely as “country,” but it has elements that are adjacent to the genre and similar in sound to other artists that have been included in the format as of late. Her voice sounds very delicate and breathy, similar to a Charles Wesley Godwin or Kacey Musgraves record. She wrote the song with one of the most iconic songwriters of the genre in the 2010s and a frequent collaborator of Eric Church, Luke Laird. While fans who only follow Lana might not notice the connection, longtime Eric Church listeners can recognize the song’s distinctive, groovy structure and arrangement—reminiscent of some of Church’s deeper cuts. Drew Erickson joined them on the production, and this is where more of the country elements shine through, with steel and orchestral sections flowing throughout the entire song, allowing Lana’s voice to take center stage. Detail-oriented listeners can hear the chorus containing influences from the melody “Summertime Sadness” on this track, but it goes in a different direction on the scale at the end. If Lana Del Rey’s take on country is stripped-down, folk-inspired storytelling, then by all means, bring it on. Her iconic voice and signature delivery are more than enough to carry it.
8.8
Shaboozey feat. Myles Smith – Blink Twice Written By Adam Delahoussaye
“Blink Twice” acts as a sort of comedown and subsequent reflection from this now-superstar’s night on the town detailed in “Bar Song (Tipsy).” It feels like it should be blaring over the loudspeakers at a Target while our partygoer stumbles around in search of Tylenol and Powerade. To be clear, this misstep is not his baseline for quality because it’s obvious he’s not lacking a keen ear. If last year proved anything, it’s that the Grammy nominee has no issue plucking modes and sounds from various influences, throwing them all in the crockpot to make a dish as fresh and inventive as the sum of its parts. It feels like he gets drowsy and diluted any time Shaboozey isn’t clinking shot glasses together, boot-scooting his way into a bender, or paired with an ambassador for a genre he’s one foot in on. It’s offensively inoffensive. Stripped of step stools to see the top of the mountain, he’s stuck in a middle ground worse than just a mere lack of storytelling; it’s frustrating to watch. This stomp-clap cesspool is the same kind of sterile that imbued a whole subculture of guys wearing suspenders and twirling mustaches. Why is it supposed to get a pass now when all that’s added is a glossier finish on a coarser voice? There are so many poisons to pick with this guy, and “Blink Twice” may be his most boring batch to date.
5.8
Sterling Elza – Lie to You Written By Adam Delahoussaye
The hot Texas asphalt is starting to sizzle, and its redneck ruffians are exiting hibernation to swing their sweat-drenched locks in time with chest-swelling drum fills and grungy guitar licks. The red dirt scene is about to act up again, and Sterling Elza is here to lead that charge. The singer and songwriter is back with his newest, a now nostalgic trip through nasally runs and power chords. It’s an ode to Koe Wetzel’s “Noise Complaint” era, swimming in grunge and sad licks as our singer treads in remorse and heartbreak; those two emotions feel like close companions here. It’s a familiar and ironically safe-sounding alternative to some of the modern heavy hitters in his arena. It’s maybe too early to tell if Elza is just as good as siphoning nostalgic moments from his favorite bands or a true return to form for that late 2010 lick-and-fill-centered era for the scene. Regardless, the bare bones are there. Beefing up that sound and repertoire, and maybe getting some scars unique to him along the way, is the key to Elza not getting lost in his own sauce.
7.0
