Believe – Kashus Culpepper Written By Adam Delahoussaye
There are moments (this being one of them) when Kashus Culpepper feels like he’s speaking on behalf of a population rather than singing solely to push out personal demons. Maybe it’s his delivery, a percolating rasp carrying hundreds of in-sync harmonies to the top of his throat before they leap out into the loudspeaker. Or maybe it’s his material, where on “Believe,” he prioritizes a pure push forward in the face of what feels like generations of trauma manifest in one brawny body. A Delta-driven road trip through the trials and sticky, suffocatingly humid nature of life in the deep south is embodied by an ambassador primed to tend to the tracks pain points. “Believe” is rootsy, effortlessly blues-driven, soaked in desperation while still holding hope of its strife evaporating from a sunrise that may never creep into frame. Culpepper toys with the fire and brimstone verbiage this track makes it feel like he was rattling off from behind a pulpit in a past life, refreshingly washing off stains of regression with a yowl of a chorus that, much like his own voice, pushes forward by sheer force of will. Reverent of his roots yet always quick to cloak them in modernity, Culpepper is quickly growing limbs and dexterities that can reach as far forward as they already have to what’s behind him.
8.4
We’re Onto Something – Kings of Leon feat. Zach Bryan Written By Adam Delahoussaye
Chalk it up to diligent note-taking or the masters learning a few tricks from their padawan, but “We’re Onto Something” inverts the artistic chain of command while still retaining the right lessons from both parties. The second collaboration from Zach Bryan and his fellow Okie rockers sees the Followill boys fully in the driver’s seat with little to no worry of where or when their destination may arrive. It’s another free-form take on the heartland rock anthems the band has pioneered for two decades, albeit with a little more room for error and interpretation thanks to their more frenetic companion. While Bryan has no writing credit on this track specifically, his roll and ramble lyricism is still effortlessly present in what feels like an invigorating exercise for both parties. Bryan, snug in the backseat, is still kept busy adding his own flavors and takes to familiar routes to the modern rock scene he’s spent the latter half of his career bouncing his own ideas off of. The Followills, steady at the wheel, seem to finally be comfortable with the detours. It’s rugged yet restful, eager to put wheels up while still solemn in the moments it knows how to linger in. Zach Bryan not only met his heroes, but he also adapted to them, and Kings of Leon returned the favor.
8.8
Can’t Recall – Tyce Delk Written By Joel Reuben Pauley
Every so often, country music is graced with a voice capable of carrying immense emotion in a single note. Tyce Delk is quickly carving out his place amongst country’s most compelling new voices. His voice carries a rich, full quality that feels soaked in emotion, often telling half the story with just the ache in his vocals. After releasing his debut single “Adaline” last month, Tyce Delk immediately began building a foundation of pure sound that many artists spend years chasing. His follow-up, “Can’t Recall,” offers a refreshing second glimpse of the Texas native’s artistry, widening the window into his perspective. Told from the viewpoint of a man battling his dependence on alcohol, Tyce explains how the addiction “lies on the nightstand and poisons my mind.” Although he sings of wishing the bottle would “run dry,” the narrative sits in an unhelpful place, caught between self-awareness and resignation. In the chorus, there is a unique melodic choice where Delk sings an ascending note, almost like a growing scream, and just when it seems he might lose control, he lands beautifully in a delicate, precise vocal run that perfectly reflects the turmoil woven into the lyrics. This track carries a fresh sound that’s easy on the ears, yet it tugs harder on the heartstrings the closer you listen. With just two songs out, Tyce Delk has already positioned himself as one of country music’s most promising new voices, and it’s clear this is only the beginning for him.
9.0
What About Yours – Ava Hall Written By Joel Reuben Pauley
“If your heart was a highway, I’d rip out every exit sign…” From its opening line, “What About Yours” makes its intention clear, pleading for reassurance in a relationship where devotion runs both ways. Quickly picking up steam, up-and-comer Ava Hall shows that although she’s receiving fast attention, she still finds the time to drop the tempo and release a mellow acoustic track, full of thoughtful harmonies and deep-cutting lyricism. This song might be your introduction to Hall, or maybe you have even seen a few clips of her singing this song out in nature, but listen beyond a fifteen-second Instagram reel, and you’ll find lyrics and emotion that rise above the norm in modern country music. With a genuine quality in its raw yet fully realized production, the recording captures the full spirit of the song. In her most stripped-back form, Hall wears her heart on her sleeve, revealing the lengths she would go to preserve a love that matters so much to her. For anyone in a relationship, the lyrics offer a level of relatability, a sensitive vulnerability, and even a hint of insecurity, with Ava cutting straight to the heart of the matter and asking directly about her partner’s feelings. Crying out, “I’m tired of not knowing,” Ava channels the frustration and longing that come with loving someone whose feelings linger in uncertainty. Overall, it’s not just the melancholy or the ear-catching melodies that make this song remarkable, although each adds to its appeal. The true strength lies in the undeniable believability that makes every note and lyric resonate.
9.5
Goodnight Music City – Old Dominion Written By Max Buondonno
As the closing track on the band’s latest LP, “Goodnight Music City” sees Old Dominion pay tribute to the city that gave them a career. Reminiscing on the trials and tribulations of trying to make it in Nashville, Tennessee, the song captures the essence and spirit of rushing to make it and become the next country sensation, like every other aspiring artist in town. Filled with honky-tonk keys and a vibrant harmonica, the song paints a rhinestone-laced portrait in your head that’s further amplified by the band’s remarkable harmonies in the chorus. There have been plenty of songs written about trying to make it in Nashville, and each one feels unique in its own way. Old Dominion’s approach is no exception, with an endearing energy and refreshing perspective. It works as both a solid album closer and a stand-out among the Barbara tracklist, hitting the right emotions and themes to evoke a sense of longing for a career that many others (like Old Dominion) have enjoyed for decades. In a time where Old Dominion is widely regarded as a lackluster group that Nashville props up for obligatory radio play, “Goodnight Music City” contradicts that and highlights the band’s unique creativity, producing a song that’s fun to listen to and pays homage to one of the greatest cities in the world.
7.9
Song for My Son – Walker Hayes feat. Kane Brown Written By Max Buondonno
Walker Hayes has established himself as relatable guy trying to feed his kids, often resulting in poorly written songs that perform well commercially. In his latest single, however, Hayes focuses more on his personal life and growth with “Song for My Son.” A collaboration with Kane Brown, the song sees Hayes address concerns and anxieties that he won’t be a good father. Between giving up drinking and resisting everyday temptation, there’s a sense of surface-level relatability in the lyrics for those who strive to do their best for their families. Still, something feels missing from the track; its lyrics are emotional on paper, but they fail to capture a sense of authenticity and conviction, instead leaning into clichéd religious themes and martyrdom that plagues many Christian-oriented country tracks. Met with mediocre vocal performances from both Hayes and Brown, this acoustic-laced confessional falls short of being the memorable self-reflection moment Hayes set out to create. Whether it needs to be reworked entirely or just stripped back to something more raw and ballad-esque is left for debate, but either change would be welcome given how much “Song for My Son” leaves on the table.
6.5
Russell Dickerson – For A Truck Written By Will Chapman
As a country music fan, it is easy to roll your eyes at any song with the word “truck” in the title. Country music has never been shy about celebrating pickups, and neither has Russell Dickerson, but track seven of the “Blue Tacoma” singer’s latest record, Famous Back Home, titled “For A Truck,” takes the well-worn theme and flips it into something refreshing. The story opens with him in the shoes of just about every country boy ever: grinding all summer, saving for a Silverado, only for his savings account to get completely hijacked by a girl. It’s a cute twist that makes the track feel more genuine than the usual jacked-up-truck posturing that appeals to 20-something-year-old dudes who flirt with high school girls in Walmart parking lots across the American South.
Musically, it’s effortless. The melody rolls out naturally, with the kind of ease that feels destined for country radio rotation. The hook is sticky without being heavy-handed, and Dickerson’s delivery carries just enough warmth to make the sentiment believable. The lyrics are tight, all working toward the central theme, and they develop nicely from saving paychecks for a truck to choosing a diamond instead. That throughline gives the song more narrative weight than much of his previous catalog, which has rarely leaned introspective. “For a Truck” feels like a song built to last in Dickerson’s setlist. Sweet without being saccharine, radio-ready without being shallow, hopefully “For A Truck” gets the recognition it deserves as more than just an album cut.
8.6
Turned Into Missing You Max McNown feat Avery Anna Written By Will Chapman
Originally appearing on Max McNown’s 2024 record Wandering (Love Me Back), “Turned Into Missing You” has been given new life through a duet version with Avery Anna. From a production standpoint, it feels akin to contemporary Christian music; the sound remains modern and spacey, full of atmospheric pads, a driving tom groove, and ambient pedal steel that acts as a textural device. Subtle strings emerge as the song builds, giving it a cinematic arc. The mix is polished, perhaps more so than the original, but the overall sonic character is consistent. The real difference lies in Avery Anna’s contribution. Her voice is strikingly beautiful, and her harmonies bring a warmth and cohesion that elevate the track’s emotional weight. She blends seamlessly with McNown, and at times, her vocal presence feels like the glue holding everything together. Still, the song itself doesn’t fully rise above its influences. Lyrically, it treads familiar, worn ground and scenes: familiar songs, the passenger seat, and other memories resurfacing unexpectedly…or expectedly, for that matter. While not tasteless, “Turned Into Missing You” doesn’t offer much to set it apart from every other pop-country ballad within the modern landscape.
6.7
Who Gets To Heaven (Nobody Knows) – The Band Loula Written By Ryan Lippe
Fresh from the marshes of North Carolina, The Band Loula emerged with their first EP, Sweet Southern Summer, and the closing track of this project is an instant earworm blending elements of soul, gospel, and bluegrass all into one distinct sound. From the very first seconds to the cinematic closing notes, the infectious harmonies of best friends Malachi Mills and Logan Simmons shine at the forefront, cementing them as a defining part of their musical identity. Produced by John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne fame, the song is infused with a unique spark of creativity that doesn’t leave a dull moment and is evident in his own work. Despite the many elements at play and the duo’s early stage in their career, the song never feels overwhelming, but rather everything has a purpose and creates balance. Mills and Simmons were joined by Gary Nichols and Jared Przybysz in writing the track, creating a rich and vibrant take on heaven and the mystery around the concept of an afterlife. With this only being their first project, The Band Loula is just now getting started on their rise to the spotlight as they continue to reach the masses with their remarkable sound.
7.8
