Treaty Oak Revival – Happy Face Written By Adam Delahoussaye
In today’s modern country landscape, we’ve seen a real resurgence of bands and acts that rove the road for months, even years. A revival of that troubadour lifestyle was a definite shot in the arm for our more traditionally influenced artists. Still, the road and all its glory have also given fans a taste for the edgier side of the spectrum, Treaty Oak Revival. Their live performances and their generally raucous demeanor have won over thousands of barroom patrons at this point. Their blend of red dirt roots and a podunk punk attitude fully submerged into a genre niche their predecessors only dipped their toes into. Their newest effort, “Happy Face,” only buckles down on their mission statement of those wearing dirt-crusted boots or worn-out vans not being too far off in similarity. As lead singer Sam Canty croons on the tribulation that comes with a life away from loved ones, the undertones of his message are only solidified in the angsty arrangement his band has prepared behind him. They’re more hardcore than they are hillbilly at times, yet Canty’s signature twang never lets them leave home too far behind.
8.6
Silverado Blue – Tucker Wetmore Written By Max Buondonno
The slow trickle of new Tucker Wetmore music continues to drip with “Silverado Blue,” the rising star’s fifth solo single and sixth song of his career thus far. Written by Wetmore, Brett Sheroky, and Dan Wilson, the track stylistically sways much more toward “Wind Up Missin’ You,” with an acoustic guitar leading the way instead of trap drums and bass lines. That works to Wetmore’s benefit as his voice sounds more at home when he stays authentic to more traditional instrumentals, and “Silverado Blue” is the epitome of that. The song pays homage to young love and unravels the fleeting details of one final evening together before the couple’s lives take separate courses. While it’s undeniably designed for mass consumption and radio playlists, this is still a catchy little tune that’ll get stuck in your head at some point or another. We have yet to hear Tucker dive deeper into his songwriting skills and artist identity, but he’s thus far avoided any severe missteps on his rise to fame. This latest single could prove to be an even bigger push to make him a household name as he prepares to drop his debut project.
7.5
Good Ol’ Boys – Mae Estes Written By Christina Bosch
Mae Estes’s new track “Good Ol’ Boys” is one of the most truthful, vulnerable storytelling songs released this year. Taking a taboo subject and poetically giving it life is a bold choice. She’s not afraid to stand up and tell the stories of millions who all have a history of abuse and being mistreated by someone they thought loved them. The track was written by Autumn McEntire, Marti Dodson, and SJ McDonald, a rare occurrence for Mae to record an outside cut. That fact only further proves that shedding light on others’ suffering is too important to ignore. When the new stand-up boyfriend she sings about in the first verse is dramatically portrayed as a monster in the second, listeners are drawn even further into this would-be love song. With the line “Counting tiles on the ceiling til you let me go,” the story turns painful and dark, which is made even more poignant by her powerful vocal delivery. Songs like this, though somber and somewhat sad, make you proud to be a fan of a genre that doesn’t shy away from the hard topics. In just over three minutes, the track stirs emotions, warns listeners, and empowers those who have felt alone.
8.9
What Kinda Man – Parker McCollum Written By Creed Miller
In his first new release since his album last May, Parker McCollum is back with “What Kinda Man.” Immediately, it sounds like a more mature version of his “Limestone Kid” era, thanks to the harmonica and rougher vocals. It’s a nice blend of Limestone Parker and Gold Chain Parker. He works away from his recent album Never Enough, as it’s not overly polished, but still avoids some of the sloppiness he ran into with the Limestone Kid record. One thing that needs to be noted is that he isn’t entirely ditching his Never Enough sound, as the track’s chorus carries many similarities to the song“Speed.” While it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, it becomes hard to ignore once you notice the similarity, which diminishes the song’s impact. That being said, “What Kinda Man” still feels like a breath of fresh air as it seemed like Parker’s music was beginning to fall into a generic, characterless trap. Overall, it sounds like the Texas native has rediscovered what makes him unique, which is good news for country fans everywhere.
8.1
Started Stoppin’- Mitchell Tenpenny Written By Creed Miller
“Newcomer” Mitchell Tenpenny is back with a lot more of the same in “Started Stoppin’,” the eighth (yes, eighth) pre-release from his forthcoming album. Between the painfully dull lyrics, 2000s pop production, and overall repetitiveness, there is no real substance here, and it feels like a formula to be forgotten. It tells the same classic story of finally getting over a girl, but here comes the kicker: he’s not actually over her! Songs that tell a familiar story can be good, assuming there is an ounce of originality, which this song just does not have. Tenpenny continues to chase radio success, so none of his recent music feels real. It’s all extremely surface-level, eliminating any real ability to connect, and “Started Stoppin’” is a prime example of that. While it’s yet another miss from the 35-year-old, there is a silver lining as he still has a chance to bring home New Artist Of The Year despite putting out music since before I could do long division.
2.9
Casamigos – Koe Wetzel Written By Creed Miller
Less than two months since the release of 9 Lives, Koe Wetzel looks towards a potential deluxe album with “Casamigos.” While his recent music has been more mainstream than ever, he sticks with the Texas rock sound while keeping a chill vibe that can be thrown on in the background while playing cards. Penned by Wetzel, Amy Allen, Sam Nelson Harris, Ben Burgess, and Gabe Simon, “Casamigos” is a “positive” look at a breakup. Wetzel sings about the things he’s lost, like his license or friends, but ultimately, he’s all right with losing the girl. The major knock to the track is the repetitiveness. It feels like a never-ending loop of the chorus, and the slow production creates a feeling of grogginess. While the lyrics are enough for the listener to smile, they are not enough to live up to the expectations set in teasers on his social media.“Casamigos” is another quality song by Koe but it’s nothing to write home about.
7.4
Santa Fe – Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum Written By Ryan Lippe
Expectations were up in the air with Miranda Lambert’s newest album; retaking the spotlight, the Texan star looks to remind fans why she’s the titan she is. This collaboration falls short of feeling like a true duet, with the Parker McCollum being relegated to mere harmonies and a brief, underdeveloped second verse. However, it’s easy to look past that fact, considering producer Jon Randall does an excellent job balancing these two voices. Having worked with both Lambert and McCollum numerous times, Randall mixes McCollum’s huskier voice and acts as a darker tone to the hopefulness symbolized in Lambert’s falsetto-like voice. The track’s production is a beautiful blend of traditional country sounds, enhanced by soft guitar and pedal steel, creating a peaceful and sensual atmosphere. With an endless supply of new music coming out, this latest album will likely get lost in the shuffle of new acts, but his track specific is worthy of any spare three minutes listeners may have.
8.8
Worry is a Sickness – Ty Myers Written By Ryan Lippe
At a mere 17 years old, Ty Myers is already a true example of raw talent. This track, among his others, demonstrates a masterful ability to harness and control his stellar voice. Many younger acts showcase their vocal range when seeking recognition by belting into the microphone. However, Myers demonstrates more maturity by holding back and letting his talent shine gradually. A solo write by Myers, he can convey a real-life experience into a story that the masses can digest without overthinking. As time passes and he develops a distinct writing style, he may incorporate characters and complex stories. For now, Ty’s done an excellent job presenting a clear and concise tale of heartache and failure that anyone can enjoy. Like all of his past releases, this song is authentically country and not trying to impress anyone with fancy drum loops. The future is bright for Ty Myers as he holds potential and talent that’s just starting to be unleashed to the world.
8.0
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