Miles To Go – 49 Winchester Written By Adam Delahoussaye
Leaving home was all the rage in 2024. Travelers in country music spread far and wide, collecting tales of their triumphs and tribulations on the road for rabid fan bases both near and far. Leading the charge on that exodus, arguably, was 49 Winchester. The Russell County roughnecks have been doing the damn thing for almost a decade, and they’ve still got plenty of gas left in the tank. “Miles To Go” acts like a follow-up single for the group’s newest record, crooning on many of the same urges that have pushed them from creaky barrooms to squeaky clean concert halls in the past few years. The writing remains absurdly clever yet never aiming over the head of its audience, and their blend of Americana and Southern rock continues to make this group act like a stew of old and new sounds. The conviction brought with this last release of the year speaks to a group looking to make a statement. What got them started on the climb continues to push them further up the mountain. Even as they’ve started hopping onto the radar of well-to-do promoters and the suits in Nashville, how they handle business has remained constant. And honestly, it should. They’ve gotten this far without touching the brake pedal; why put a foot on it now?
8.7
Right Person, Wrong Time – Dom Ellis Written By Adam Delahoussaye
The canvas Dom Ellis is painting his story on is, for now, mostly blank. That’s not a bad spot to be in for this Cajun cowboy, one fresh out of the Bayou with only a few releases attached to his name thus far. The brushes and hues we’ve gotten exposed to thus far speak to an act rooted in influence. One that cites the white-hot stars of the neo-alternative like Childers and Bingham and the outlaw legends we still hear whispers of today. It’s immediately evident in his strained rasp that gives this 18-year-old a voice far beyond his years. Paired with a traditional, crisp, and cold arrangement, that croaky delivery provides harrowing imagery of the heartbreak detailed in “Right Person, Wrong Time.” Ellis and his pen are still far from striking country gold, but the lines here are itching with wit and desire to tell simple and true stories. Dom Ellis and his sound derive from a decades-old sonic movement, which is still proving it’s staying power, a notion you hope carries over into his career from here on out.
7.0
300 Miles – Bayker Blankenship Written By Creed Miller
Bayker Blankenship came onto the scene in 2024 after his single “Maxed Out” went viral on social media. Since then, he’s released an EP, a duet with Waylon Wyatt, and now a new song, “300 Miles.” Joesph Costa’s production is undoubtedly the best part of the track, as it all feels super smooth and avoids being overbearing despite its rich energy. The track highlights some nice banjo and the drums that dominate the production to keep a mid-tempo beat. The “HEY!” at the end of each chorus is one of the catchiest aspects of the whole track and will undoubtedly linger in your brain after the song is over. The chorus build-up does a great job of preparing you for the burst of energy that’s about to come. It’s such a simple pre-chorus, but the change in the melody definitely grabs the listener’s attention. The chorus could be a bit longer with only two lines, but it does leave you wanting more. Lyrically, there isn’t much depth, which is okay; Bayker is once again talking about drinking and having fun, but at just 19 years of age, he is doing so in a much more believable sense than in the past. Given his young age, there is still much room for improvement vocally for Blankenship. His voice is still shaky and could benefit from more maturity; he seems hesitant to let loose fully, but that confidence will likely come with experience.
7.4
annabelle – Evan Honer Written By Jack Humphrey
In the post-Zach Bryan era, plaintive singer-songwriter dudes have become a dime a dozen on TikTok. However, the unforced earnestness that always comes naturally to Evan Honer remains extremely rare. When the Arizona native sings, every word he says just sounds honest, without a hint of performative emotion. While Honer doesn’t necessarily claim to be a country artist, the sense of place he creates for his listeners amidst his personal struggles deservedly seats him by the Jason Isbells and Morgan Wades that inhabit the alternative fringes of the format. “annabelle” is a great testament to all of these qualities; the titular track sees Evan apologizing to a girl for being himself, wishing he could be a better fit in her life. Though not kitschy or overly clever, it’s captivating in its narrative simplicity, mixing compassion and self-loathing over ethereal acoustics to complete a perfectly bittersweet moment. As with everything he does, the story of “annabelle” feels real to Evan Honer, and as a listener, you can’t help but feel for his character here.
9.0
