Hillbilly Happy – 49 Winchester Written By Adam Delahoussaye
Engines have started to rev a little louder in the weeks leading up to 49 Winchester’s upcoming album, Leavin’ This Holler. With that, the group seems to have just waved the green flag in our faces in the form of two new singles. “Hillbilly Happy” has been a staple of the band’s live performances for years now, and even in a studio setting, it’s apparent that the crew has accrued a rowdy and raucous fanbase throughout their time on the road. It doesn’t take much to make a hillbilly happy, but that doesn’t mean they’re ever going to sell their crowd short. This track takes the crux of 49 Winchester’s rock-infused bluegrass roots and practically cranks the knob off the speaker as they breeze through the work week for a backroads getaway. It’s clear why this jam is a favorite for the boys both in bar rooms and ballrooms. There’s an unabashed sense of fun to be had, all while frontman Isaac Gibson and the backing arrangement conduct themselves under unreal amounts of poise. Despite the track’s lyrical content suggesting otherwise, it seems that work and play dance off each other well for this ensemble.
8.8
Dead End Road – Jelly Roll Written By Creed Miller
Twisters: The Album has been one of the most anticipated collections of the year as it features some of the country’s biggest names, including Jelly Roll. “Dead End Road” was written for the movie, but still manages to tie in the same themes of Jelly Roll’s music. In his classic fashion, he sings about overcoming drug use and how it’s a “dead-end road” to hell unless one makes a profound change. This track has a lot of similarities to his recent number one, “Halfway To Hell,” which tells essentially the same story and bears a robust sonic resemblance. The production is busy, but the song is improved with a rough feel that coincides with its story. Although Jelly Roll is beloved in Nashville, it would be exciting to see him venture into new artistic territory. The repetitive themes in his songs are starting to feel worn out, and “Dead End Road” is another tedious example of that.
5.8
Somewhere With Her – Josh Turner Written By Creed Miller
It may not be the early 2000s anymore, but Josh Turner is still making music, with his latest track being the amorous “Somewhere With Her.” Written by Rhett Akins, Will Bundy, and Josh Miller, the song is about a guy who can’t seem to stay focused as his mind is constantly wandering “somewhere with her.” Lyrically, it’s surface-level and somewhat corny, but it works without being annoying because it seems to be what the song intended. Josh Turner doesn’t stray too far from his traditional sound, which gives it a nostalgic feeling. Produced by Kenny Greenberg, he recalls that classic, early 2000s sound without sounding like he’s doing karaoke over his old hits. While “Somewhere With Her” isn’t going to knock a listener’s socks off or even go down as an especially memorable track, it is nice to see Turner continuing to put out quality music for as long as he has.
7.3
Who Hurt You – Kashus Culpepper Written By Ryan Lippe
Following his debut single “After Me,” Kashus Culpepper has already developed a very specific rasp and growl sound in his voice. This song puts his unique vocal ability front and center but, unfortunately, doesn’t provide the listener with the same level of flare that his last single did. Throughout the song, Culpepper stays in what sounds like a very comfortable range for him, but that monotonous tone results is the song’s downfall. It holds the track back immensely from letting the beautiful songwriting be the true star of the show. The song, written by Culpepper and Mark Addison Chandler, set the scene for a young narrator to reflect on life choices and take stock of where the blame lies in various situations. Produced by Brian Elmquist, the track is filled with delicate piano and fiddle throughout the second verse and chorus. Despite the elegant backing instruments, the tiresome tone in his voice is too overbearing here, and it takes away from the other elements that would make it a more well-rounded song.
7.3
Three Drinks Behind – George Strait Written By Ryan Lippe
Ahead of his Cowboys and Dreamers album, this latest single reminds fans that light-hearted, fun songs have always been at the forefront of George Strait’s career. The gentle guitar, soft percussion, and steel guitar are all reminiscent of the ‘beach-country’ sound fans grew to enjoy in the late 80s with his Ocean Front Property album. Written by Benjamin Gaither, Jeff Silvey, and Kim Williams, the trio presents the listener with a clever notion of replacing time zones with drinks and that Strait, as the narrator, is in a relaxed state of his own. Strait is working with Chuck Ainlay and Tony Brown on the production again, and while the group may not have made anything groundbreaking, it’s still a sound that’s authentic to Strait’s iconic catalog. Newcoming fans shouldn’t expect Strait to disrupt the charts and release a song rivaling “Carrying Your Love With Me” but rather just enjoy the fresh new music.
8.0
if you wanna hurt somebody – Avery Anna Written By Christina Bosch
Teenage girls are often an underserved demographic when it comes to country music. They often experience trials and learn important lessons during those angsty years and Avery Anna’s new album, Breakup Over Breakfast, perfectly captures those complicated emotions. “if you wanna hurt somebody” stands out on the 17-track project, acting as a diary entry and a warning. It’s apparent that Anna sat in the writer’s room with Andy Sheridan, Ben Williams, and David Fanning and helped chronicle the young female perspective on the damage that can be done and the lasting effects of a toxic relationship. As she rattles off how she’s been beaten down by an ex, each line is personal yet universal. Her soul-stirring vocal is powerful and serene, delivering an important story of self-worth and heartbreak. Tapping into the teenage girl market is no easy task, but fans who have found her music will identify with the young female star being a voice of many who feel misunderstood.
8.9
The Cards I’ve Been Dealt – Warren Zeiders Written By Max Buondonno
As Warren Zeiders’s career continues to build momentum, new music continues to flow, and we’re getting a better understanding of what qualifies as good, bad, and middling Zeiders tracks. “The Cards I’ve Been Dealt,” Zeiders’s sole contribution to the Twisters soundtrack, can be firmly placed in the “middling” category. On the surface, it’s actually a fun song to spin; the mid-tempo backbeat and frequent key changes make for an intriguing, mysterious aesthetic that’s perfect for playing as you pursue the biggest twister of your storm-chasing career. The gambling metaphor shared throughout is not only good for life and death situations but also for chasing your dreams. That being said, the problem lies in those lyrics. While the message of the song is encouraging, it feels like a missed opportunity not to explore further what it means to bet on yourself and the wisdom you have collected over the years. Instead, Zeiders just talks about playing cards the whole time. If the instrumentals of this song weren’t as good as they are, this would be an easy skip on the soundtrack. It might be worth returning to if you enjoy how it sounds, but the rest of us will likely forget about it amongst the 28 other tracks on the album.
6.5
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