Single Reviews – Week of 11/3/2023
Hungover In A Hotel – Jason Aldean Written By Brandon Iozzo
A Jason Aldean album wouldn’t be complete without its share of binge drinking and breakup songs like “Hungover In A Hotel.” A black hole of emotion, this track sees Aldean singing about drinking too much and ending up wasted in a hotel room without any real reasoning or storytelling in its lyrics. Per usual, the song’s go-to Michael Knox butt-rock production lacks even the slightest deviation from Aldean’s lengthy catalog, and in fact, sounds like a rip of his own “This Plane Don’t Go There.” Though Aldean logged his first co-writing feature since 2009’s Wide Open, it might be best for him to avoid doing so in future projects.
3.6
Tennessee Don’t Mind – Kameron Marlowe Written By Brandon Iozzo
Picking up from where he left off on his debut record We Were Cowboys, Kameron Marlowe leans into wiry fiddles and an outlaw style with “Tennessee Don’t Mind.” Written by Lady A’s Charles Kelley and Daniel Tashian, the track pays faithful homage to Tennessee from the perspective of Marlowe regarding the state as a friend and confidant, whether he’s going out to have a good time or personally feeling lost. The track showcases Marlowe’s signature, undeniably country style but lacks the powerhouse vocals we’re used to hearing from the newcomer. Overall, this is a pretty safe song; that said, with his sophomore LP ahead and no real radio traction from his debut, “Tennessee Don’t Mind” is a solid reintroduction for Marlowe with the potential to finally put him on the map.
7.8
Leather – Cody Johnson Written By Cam Greene
The title track off of CoJo’s new hit album Leather is a love letter to the rough life of cowboys. Written by Johnson, label-mate Ian Munsick, River Rutherford, and Jeremy Spillman, it’s an enjoyable song with classic Western guitar and fiddle that match Johnson’s soothing vocals. The most jarring part of the track is the yodeling, which will take listeners by surprise, but it does fit the overall feel of the song. It may not be the best song on the eponymous album, but it’s very emblematic of what this record is all about. “Leather’s” tame attitude with a great story comparing cowboys to Superman delivers the right blend of nostalgia and toughness.
8.1
A Lot With A Little – Tyler Hubbard Written By Cam Greene
What can be said about Tyler Hubbard’s music that hasn’t already been said? It’s tired and tried country radio fodder that’s always pretty light on originality. His songs are strangely gimmicking, which may have worked in 2014 when Florida Georgia Line was churning out empty-calorie hits, but trying to make them work in 2023 is a perfect recipe for failure. The glaring issue on this one is that it’s yet another diddy about dirt roads, stars in the sky, the girl next to you in your truck, and wishing the night would never end. Instrumentally, it’s just okay; it’s poppy, but Hubbard’s voice sounds pretty good, albeit drenched in autotune. Overall, the track leaves a lot to be desired, and it’s unfortunate that since FGL’s split, Hubbard has clung desperately to the same sound that worked 10 years ago but holds up poorly today.
3.2
Smoky Mountains – Conner Smith Written By Creed Miller
As Conner Smith gears up for the release of his first full-length album on January 26th, he gave fans a look at what’s in store with the twangy title track. Written by Conner Smith alongside producer Zach Crowell, “Smoky Mountains” serves as a bold, Tennessean torch-song homaging Smith. The track opens with an acapella intro that highlights Smith’s vocals before kicking into high gear with a swinging bluegrass arrangement. There’s still a distinct pop sensibility, but “Smoky Mountains” is unequivocally the most traditionally country tune Conner has put out yet. As the single “Creek Will Rise” continues its steady ascent up the charts, “Smoky Mountains” continues to build expectations for the budding star’s long-awaited debut LP.
8.4
Cowboys on Music Row – Lauren Watkins & Carter Faith Written By Creed Miller
Two of Nashville’s most exciting young female artists team up for an exceptional, sorrowing single. This track This track is a lamenting reflection that Music Row isn’t what it used to be and how the two miss the simpler days in which country music was full of genuine cowboys. The chemistry between Watkins and Faith absolutely makes the song; this chorus feels gorgeously smooth as their voices blend together in harmony. Faith’s soprano voice compliments Watkins and each gives the other space to stand out. Musically, this is very much a singer-songwriter-type production with a sparse arrangement that puts the two vocalists at the center of everything. Lauren and Carter are both starting to see some success in their young careers and “Cowboys on Music Row” seems like an early standout from Watkins’s upcoming album.
9.1
Going Places – Travis Denning Written By Will Chapman
Travis Denning has not charted a song since 2019’s “After a Few” claimed the #1 spot on the country airplay chart in its record-setting 65-week ascent. Unsurprising to most, his latest release “Going Places” doesn’t seem like it will break that dry spell. The noisy, percussion-heavy production paired with patently dumb descriptors like “that drinking spot with a parking lot full of Chevys and Fords” make this unfortunate track feel like 2013 in the worst way. Travis Denning’s whining delivery is atrociously boring, and the narrative is not compelling in the slightest, utterly antithetical to the song’s title. Right now, it seems less likely than ever that Denning will match the success of “After a Few” anytime soon.
2.9
Adeline – Shane Smith And The Saints Written By Ryan Lippe
Ahead of their next album Norther, Shane Smith and the Saints are back with a unique sound that never goes out of style. Their first LP in four years, frontman Shane Smith comes back to the microphone with his deep, imposing vocals and tall vowels. Beau Bedford is also back as the band’s producer and continues to blend rich Texas country with contemporary southern rock. Sonically, it would be fun to see a bit more experimentation in the production for this upcoming project; with a lot of loud crashes and build-ups, it can sometimes be hard to understand the words written by frontman Shane Smith and his wife Lauren Smith. Nonetheless, it’s still very exciting to see them back and stake their claim once again as one of the premiere acts out of the red dirt scene.
8.0
Weyerhaeuser Land – Muscadine Bloodline Written By Ryan Lippe
Just a few months removed from their seminal LP Teenage Dixie and the enigmatic companion EP Teenage Angst, the hottest duo in country music are already back with brand new music, and it feels like their momentum is stronger than ever. Releasing two singles this week, the song “Weyerhaeuser Land” sees our narrator eying a girl across the way and the many unique things about her. While many artists take an upbeat tempo as an excuse to phone it in with their worst, lyrics, Charlie and Gary have a special penchant for making their most fun, irreverent songs so lyrically bright with all sorts of hidden references and creative language. Working once again with Ryan Youmans on the production, this barn-burner keeps the foot on the gas and is nothing short of delightfully rowdy.
8.7
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