Week of 08/04/2023
“Love Goes On” – Brett Young Written By Brandon Iozzo
Brett Young takes listeners down memory lane as recounts past relationships from young adulthood that didn’t work out. As introspective and sweet as it is to hear the boyfriend-country poster child crooning about how love helped him grow up, this track has a fluffy, fairytale feel that sounds uncomfortably mushy. Even for listeners used to this kind of sappy pop-country from Brett Young, it’s becoming annoyingly self-evident that this flavorless style of music will always be his go-to.
6.5
“Cold Summer In San Antone” – John Morgan Written By Brandon Iozzo
Returning with a neo-traditional, broken-hearted ballad, John Morgan goes through the motions of life, moving on without a past love. Written by Ben Hayslip, Will Bundy, and Morgan himself, the track has an interesting juxtaposition depicting Morgan’s feelings of loneliness and depression with the Texas climate that keeps him anything but feeling warmed and loved. This song is very reminiscent of a Midland or early Easton Corbin cut with its acoustic guitar and pedal steel production which makes Morgan’s inconsolable tone that much more awesome. With only a handful of singles released so far, ‘Cold Summer In San Antone’ seems like the very song to really lift Morgan from songwriter to artist status.
8.6
“Fake Names” – Priscilla Block Written By Brandon Iozzo
What starts as a harmless diddy about fake IDs turns into a cringy wannabe girls-night-out anthem filled with drinking and hookups under the guise of cheesy alter-egos. Co-written by Block, who’s still hanging on to the ‘Welcome to the Block Party’ era, this track goes further off the deep end as she blames any misbehavior on her fake name. This song is mind-numbingly juvenile wrapped up some mimicked Bryan Adams-type guitar production. In the end, we have Priscilla Block to blame for this lousy track, not her doppelganger, Hurricane Hayley.
2.5
“All Again” – Charles Wesley Godwin Written By Ryan Lippe
Picking up right where he left up with poetic songs and strong narratives, Charles Wesley Godwin puts his stellar writing on full display. Penned for his wife and two kids, the West Virginian stalwart gives his audience a resolute reminder that all he does is for his family, and he would do it “all again” given the choice. Produced by bandmate Al Torrence, his Appalachian singer-songwriter style has developed into a fuller and more mature sound with fiddle and soft guitar all over the place. Officially signed to Big Loud records, Godwin looks to make the jump into the mainstream as one of the strongest pioneers of the neo-traditional movement.
9.5
“Brought Me” – Turnpike Troubadours Written By Creed Miller
With their long-awaited sixth album “A Cat in the Rain” just around the corner, the Turnpike Troubadours are back with another taste of things to come. Reflecting on the last few years, the track serves as a thank-you to the people that stuck by them through their comeback journey; the legendary band haven’t forgotten those who supported them through thick and thin. In classic Turnpike fashion, this song will definitely make you tap your foot; it’s an undeniably fun listen with a mid-tempo beat that keeps things smooth and doesn’t make the full band feel like it is overcrowding the song. That said, while ‘Brought Me’ is a good tune, nothing from ‘A Cat In the Rain’ has the same ‘it factor’ we’re used to hearing from the Oklahoman ensemble. Nonetheless, the Turnpike Troubadours should have people excited to see what is in store at the end of the month with their first album in more than six years.
8.4
“Cool Little Bars” – Ashley McBryde Written By Creed Miller
Ashley McBryde gives the people another look into the dive bars she came up in; written alongside Trick Savage and Lainey Wilson, the “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” pays homage to all the memories she’s made in those little hole-in-the-walls that made her who she is today. ‘Cool Little Bars’ shares some musical DNA with old-school Sugarland, from its plucky sound to southern accented harmonies. This euphoric, country cut keeps Ashley McBryde’s momentum riding high heading into her upcoming album, as one of the most memorable tunes we’ve heard from her so far.
8.7
“Always Gonna Be” – Dan + Shay Written By Cameron Greene
It’s amazing to see a brand new side of Dan + Shay; in their new material, we get a more grounded pair who reminds us that some well-crafted pop-country isn’t always a bad thing. ‘Always Gonna Be’ is an easy listen with a light-hearted story, boasting some refreshingly organic drums and relaxed guitars; it may be chock full of country-isms, but this song feels remarkably grounded. The pair is as talented as they come, and songs like this definitely play to their strengths, though the breathy background vocals recall a bit too much of their last LP. Even so, the ‘Bigger Houses’ era is shaping up to be a strong one for Dan + Shay as they continue to produce some of their best records to date.
7.3
“Worst In Me” – Avery Anna Written by Christina Bosch
At 19 years old, Avery Anna has already connected with young listeners by sharing her authentically youthful stories. ‘Worst In Me’ not only shows off her robust vocal talents with contemplative, mature writing to match. Coming to terms with a destructive relationship, Avery sits alone with her frustrated memories, even though she knows her love and infatuation will never allow her to fully leave. Avery gets impressively specific as she reflects on the things that make love feel so torturous to her. With each release, Avery Anna continues to show that her handle on sad girl country is beyond her years while still catering to a large audience of teenage girls.
8.5
