Week of 02/23/2023
American Girl – Dierks Bentley Written By Ryan Lippe
The first single released from an upcoming tribute album to Tom Petty, Dierks Bentley lays the groundwork for what could be a very colorful project remembering one of the greatest singers of all time. Produced by Jon Randall, this rendition blends Petty’s stomping, rock tendencies, but adds a twangy flare that Dierks fans will recognize. Bentley’s voice fits the range of the original composition nicely but also pushes him into that upper register, reminding fans of his incredible versatility. For fans familiar with the original, this new rendition may lag a few beats behind, but it lets Dierks and Jon Randall add their own touch to the track. Where the bridge in the original offers a groovy breakdown, this version carries the same energy but a swinging, contemporary twang. A performer as seasoned as Dierks understands the weight that covering a legend like Tom Petty entails, and he executes this cover with extraordinary precision.
8.5
Heartbreak King – Ian Munsick Written By Adam Delahoussaye
In typical fashion for the Wyomingite, Ian Munsick’s newest release kicks off with the croons of a coyote, preluding a cheery drinking song about the loss of a lover for all the patrons at his local dive bar to hear. Despite the sorrowful environment, Ian puts you in at the beginning of the track, the prose we’re presented paints our out-of-luck lover as more triumphant than he is gutted. Written by Munsick with Jeff Middleton and Josh Thompson, the trio concoct a brew of clever lyricism blended with the echoes and vastness we’ve grown accustomed to from Munsick so far. His typical western monikers are still very present here; a hat studded in turquoise stone and an arrangement up to its ears in fiddle and steel fills the lonely barroom on the first note. While not nearly as punchy as some of the standouts on White Buffalo, Munsick’s latest is still a fine showing from one of the West’s most promising acts.
7.3
Jordan Davis – Good News Sold Written By Cam Greene
Headlines in the news nowadays are filled to the brim with news that’ll keep you up at night, and to Jordan Davis, the world would be a much better place if all the good in the world replaced those headlines. On his latest single, Davis tells a sad but honest truth: good news doesn’t sell. In response, he recounts all the good that doesn’t make it on the first page. Though simple, it’s beautifully laid out, with lyrics describing a ball player’s father returning from military service and a woman beating stage four cancer; it all culminates with the line “turning the TV on and checking your phone wouldn’t ever get old.” Although this single has its criticisms about the media, it doesn’t make them a focal point, creating a song with real dimensions. Jordan Davis’s graceful outlook on life is a central characteristic in his music, and it’s really set him apart on the radio. It’s hard to disagree with any of the lyrics you hear, and the beautiful melody is easy to kick back and admire.
8.6
Hell Is A Dance Floor – Vincent Mason Written By Cam Greene
A good twist to a common trope is always a great way to make a single feel fresh, so when someone describes their personal Hell in a heartbreak song, your ears will probably perk up. Vincent Mason’s Hell would be a dance floor watching an ex-girlfriend dance with someone new. To say a song is unsettling would usually mean it’s bad, but this one is great for that very reason. It feels like the narrator is watching the scenes described in the lyrics and is ready to boil over. It’s a depressing look into what heartbreak can be in real life, and the vocals seem to play into the idea that our narrator is in his personal Hell. Mason kills it on the vocals, never allowing for the sullen energy to be stolen by a moment of clarity; in other words, the single stays sad, and that’s just how it should be. The band, for their part, also keeps the foreboding sound going. Overall, it’s a pretty stellar track with a lot to be admired.
8.0
Use Me – Zach Top Written By Creed Miller
Zach Top is quickly emerging as one of country music’s most intriguing up-and-comers. His neo-traditional sound is reminiscent of legends like Randy Travis, setting expectations high for the 25-year-old. His latest single “Use Me” is a big stepping stone on his way to stardom. The influence of his heroes is evident, as the song was co-written with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols, veteran songwriters with Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, and Keith Whitley credits. The track crafts a vivid picture of two lonesome people relying on one another to feel something. The companions know it won’t mean anything beyond that moment, but they use each other to experience real emotion just for a moment. Top shows a more emotional side in this one with real feelings that listeners can connect to. There’s also a nice modern twist to the ’90s country sound that makes it palatable to country radio. Zach Top is setting himself up to be a premier artist, and his momentum is showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches the release of his debut album.
8.9
Thinkin’ Bout – Kenny Chesney Written By Creed Miller
Throughout his lengthy career, Kenny Chesney has always been one of the most consistent artists in music; that still holds true ahead of his 20th album on the single “Thinkin’ Bout.” It follows a very typical theme in country music as the protagonist is trying to move on but can’t get his ex off his mind. Chesney is joined by the uncredited Laci Kaye Booth in the chorus to exemplify the way that getting over the relationship is taking a toll on both parties. Production-wise, it is fairly similar to his hit “Somewhere With You,” though this one is about seeking a release from that other person rather than longing for them. “Thinkin’ ‘Bout” may be the weakest of BORN’s three singles, but it’s not a bad song by any means. It could be in a lot of listeners’ music libraries but not necessarily on their playlists. Kenny Chesney has been one of the most popular artists around for three decades now, and he has stayed true to himself in that span. “Thinkin’ Bout” just isn’t going to be a song that’s going to come to mind when fans recall his best stuff.
7.7
Bailey Zimmerman – Holy Smokes Written By Max Buondonno
Fresh off the massive success of his debut LP Religiously. The Album, Bailey Zimmerman’s first new single of 2024 sees the singer continuing a similar, angst-ridden theme through the lens of young love. Written by Zimmerman, Austin Shawn, Ben Stennis, Michael Tyler, and Lauren Hungate, the song considers romantic entanglements with overarching spiritual metaphors, conveying the struggle of balancing lustful desire with one’s faith at a young age. The lyrics, while cliche at times, tell a familiar story but with enough uniqueness that you’ll have to play it twice to catch everything. With a remarkable vocal delivery from Zimmerman and a piano-driven instrumental, “Holy Smokes” is a solid entry into the 24-year-old’s growing discography.
8.2
Kameron Marlowe – Quit You Written By Max Buondonno
Kameron Marlowe is continuing a solid streak of singles with the release of “Quit You.” The track, written by Marlowe, James McNair, and John Pierce, serves as a sequel to his 2019 hit, “Giving You Up;” it follows Marlowe as he admits to giving up certain habits since his newfound love (his now-wife) is infectious and addicting enough, forcing him to wonder how he could ever quit loving her. The production feels dusty and timeless, while Marlowe’s vocal performance adds some tenderness to the track’s overall vibe. Lyrically, “Quit You” doesn’t bring anything to the table we haven’t heard before, but it remains perfectly relatable and comes together as a fairly enjoyable listen.
7.9
Cowboy Songs – George Birge Written By Brandon Iozzo
Making way for his upcoming EP release of the same name, George Birge closes out his “Mind on You” chapter with a darker, outlaw-esque tune. Pedal steel and electric guitar riffs sandwiched between the song’s verses tell the tale of a cowgirl Casanova who frequents a local bar where Birge accommodates her every interest from music to alcohol. Co-written by Michael Tyler, Lalo Guzman, Matt McGinn, and George himself, the effort can be appreciated, but it comes off as pretty generic in its depiction of the wonder that this girl commands when she walks into the bar. “Cowboy Songs” has a memorable melody, but lacks much lyrical individuality. In the first listen, you get shades of Dustin Lynch’s Killed The Cowboy. Now should be a crucial time for Birge to dive deeper into his own artistic development on the heels of radio-friendly “Mind on You,” which currently looks like a one-hit-wonder; even the fiery duet with RaeLynn “Whiskey Go ‘Round” would have been a more impactful bridge to his next project.
6.2
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