Hey Mr. Nashville – Charley Crockett Written By Adam Delahoussaye
Two full-length albums and a Grammy nomination are still not enough to quench the thirst that Charley Crockett has been plagued by his entire career. At this point, he’s known as a non-conformist, and he has a direct bone to pick with the powers that be in the form of his latest single, “Hey, Mr. Nashville.” It feels like a response to these established executives and tastemakers attempting to jump on the bandwagon that’s been chugging along for a decade. Doubling down on those archaic arrangements that characterize him should be no surprise to those following the Texan. He’s always angled himself contrary to the status quo, unmoved by Music City immigrants looking to get a bite of the flavor of the week. Produced by outlaw descendant Shooter Jennings, we get a lot of Crockett’s clichés in his smooth and subtle timbre before he jolts us off into the sunset with a zero to sixty gospel outro. It almost emulates how quickly he’s getting the hell out of Dodge now that everybody in town wants a piece of him. The last thing this cowboy is about to do is bend the knee to someone who talks the talk yet, unlike him, has never walked the walk.
7.9
“Good News” – Shaboozey Written By Joel Pauley
Like “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” “Good News” makes use of some very similar production, this time with a little steel in addition to the signature violin sound that helped “Boozey” dominate the summer. Although very close in sound, Shaboozey plays to his strengths and delivers a catchy track that will likely capture the attention of fans within and beyond the wide realm of country music. The average Zach Bryan or Tyler Childers fan may hear this song and hate how it sounds, though lyrically, it has much to offer. In hoping for “Good News” in such a dark world, the message is more profound than many other songs on the radio today. Full of lyrics like “ain’t pickin’ no flowers from the seeds that I’ve sown,” this song deserves a fresh listen, even from listeners who’ve heard “someone pours me up a double shot of whiskey” one too many times this year. Overall, “Good News” showcases Shaboozey’s confidence in his sound and consistency as he steps further into the spotlight.
8.1
O.D. – Waylon Wyatt Written By Ryan Lippe
Waylon Wyatt has undoubtedly been among the buzziest figures in country music, having several moments of virality on social media. However, it still needs to be explained how he’s grown such a large and vocal fanbase with a very undefined vocal range and rough-around-the-edges production that often feels sloppy. The song was written by himself, and he has a talent for songwriting and how to structure a verse, but it’s the delivery where everything seems to fall apart. The chorus has a catchy cadence that feels almost blues-inspired, and it gives the song some much-needed energy, given how dark and gloomy the lyrics are. Immediately as his vocals come in, it sounds like he’s slurring his words in a way that makes it difficult to understand anything he’s saying. Wyatt also maintains a monotonous tone throughout the song that makes everything blend, resulting in a three-minute song that feels closer to the five-minute mark. Waylon Wyatt can turn his sound into something spectacular, similar to Sam Barber. Still, at this point in his career, every aspect of his songs could be more organized, making it difficult to enjoy anything he puts out.
5.0
Home – Dillon Carmichael Written By Will Chapman
As the nephew of both John Michael Montgomery and Eddie Montgomery, it’s evident that Dillon Carmichael quite literally has country music in his blood. The Kentucky native pays tribute to his upbringing with his latest effort, “Home,” showcasing his connection to the traditions and values that have shaped his sound. Sonically, “Home” has a lot going for it. The production is polished and modern yet still tastefully traditional. Pedal steel is woven throughout the track, while a mandolin and dobro add subtle accents. Penned by Carmichael, Phil O’Donnell, and Trent Wilmon, the lyrics are where the song falls short. While they manage to portray rural life accurately, they don’t bring anything new to the table. There are already more than enough country songs about high school football, small-town courthouses, and, of course, the troops. While “Home” lacks the originality needed to stand out lyrically, Carmichael manages a convincing vocal delivery, making even the most cliche tropes sound believable.
7.4
Texas – Blake Shelton Written By Max Buondonno
Blake Shelton is kicking off his new stint at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and Wheelhouse Records with his latest single, “Texas,” and thankfully, it’s a break from the norm. The veteran country artist says he found new inspiration for music through working with Post Malone on “Pour Me a Drink,” and you can hear it. The song offers a different production style than what we’ve heard from Shelton in recent memory, with an alternative chord progression and modern instrumentation that gives the track an intriguing aesthetic. The chorus is easy to learn and hard to forget, making it a pretty infectious listen that’s a lot of fun to turn up. While the verses are a bit scarce of any real substance, Shelton has cooked up (with the help of writers Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Kyle Sturrock, and Lalo Guzman) an enjoyable radio-friendly single that feels different than what the “God’s Country” singer has shipped in the past. If his next album is anything like this song, we might be in for a different spin on the mainstream trotter that he’s known for, which is refreshing, to say the least.
7.3
