Week of 05/03/2024
Indifferent – Megan Moroney Written By Creed Miller
After weeks of promotion, Megan Moroney has released one of the most anticipated tracks of 2024, “Indifferent.” The instant summer classic sees Moroney reflecting on her growth, no longer checking up on her former lover’s personal life. This theme is a refreshing change of pace for her as this track makes it feel like Meg finally gets a win. It doesn’t necessarily fit with her “emo cowgirl” vibe, but that’s part of what makes it great. The song isn’t rooted in lovelorn sadness but shakes it off entirely. Moroney and fellow writers Ben Williams, Micah Carpenter, and familiar counterpart Mackenzie Carpenter injected it with a bold, carefree edge that really sets it apart. It’s similar to “I’m Not Pretty” with that trademark Megan Moroney attitude, laughing off her life’s troubles with confidence and contentment. Kristian Bush’s production is thrilling and precisely what makes it an early favorite for the single of the summer. It sports a breezy, radio country vibe through the first verse until the sizzling chorus hits with an adrenaline shot of electrifying guitar riffs. Moroney has become one of the most exciting artists in country music today, and “Indifferent” is just what listeners need to be excited about her upcoming album.
9.2
Where That Came From – Randy Travis Written By Ryan Lippe
Though this song has swirled in controversy and discourse since its announcement, no one can deny what a joy it is to hear the legendary Randy Travis’s first new single since his 2013 stroke. Layering the voice of his touring guest vocalist James Dupre with numerous Randy Travis songs, an AI program assembled a deft sound-alike that immediately recalls Randy’s old records. “It’s not about how it sounds; it’s about how it feels,” producer Kyle Lehning said in a CBS Sunday Morning episode. Written by John Scott Sherill and Scotty Emerick, the song’s delicate verses and soft cadence make it feel like any song Travis would have recorded in his extensive catalog. A voice that defined generations, Randy Travis’s signature baritone can never be fully imitated; the technology used by Warner Records opens the door for a plethora of opportunities to restore voices to those once lost. With a second song in development, many fans remain hopeful that a voice as graceful as Randy Travis can be brought back to life. However, concern still lingers about the ethical implications that artificial intelligence this sophisticated may bring.
9.3
First – Chase Matthew Written By Creed Miller
In his first release since his EP in February, Chase Matthew released his underwhelming single “First.” The main thing that sticks out is “First’s” desperate need for originality. The whole vibe of this single sounds like something that has been done thousands of times before, and Chase brings nothing to set it apart from the rest. Written by Matthew, Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy, and Jacob Rice, the lyrics are about all the “firsts” that a broken relationship gave our central character. He struggles to move on because this girl is his first love. With a topic as common as that, there could’ve been more cleverness in the writing and production to make it more memorable. It sounds like something that would be played on the radio in 2015 and is a forgettable track. In just a few weeks from now, it will more than likely cross no one’s mind. It’s not the worst song ever made, but it’s not particularly good either, and it just kind of sits in an awkward abyss. Chase Matthew has much to prove this year, but “First” won’t be the track to do it.
5.0
GO HOME W U – Keith Urban & Lainey Wilson Written By Max Buondonno
Keith Urban is continuing the rollout of his forthcoming 13th album with “GO HOME W U,” a duet with Lainey Wilson that’s every bit country-pop as it is predictable. The song, written by Urban, Breland, Sam Sumser, and Sean Small back in 2020, is an ordinary tale about going out for a night of drinks and comradery before, at last call, deciding that the person you’ve spent the evening with should go home with you. Lainey and Keith sound fine harmonizing on the track’s chorus, even with the glitzy, over-produced aesthetic of Urban’s recent music. Given her reputation on the country music scene, it’s a bit unorthodox to hear Wilson on a track like this, but it works decently well and adds a touch of swagger to the song, which it needs to stand out. While it’s difficult to call this single anything more than a vessel for Urban and Wilson to collaborate, it’s at least catchy enough to add to your playlist.
6.8
Get Out of This Town – Troy Cartwright Written By Cam Greene
Pop-country is sometimes better than everyone likes to say, and these days, Troy Cartwright is one of its most exciting purveyors. He and his team have built quite the penchant for creating classy earworms that’ll have you tapping your foot along to the rhythm. His newest outing, “Get Out of This Town,” written with Brendan Thomas Cooney, James McNair, and Seth Alley, is quintessential pop-country. Riding along to a mystical, alt-rock beat, Troy’s vocals can be as smooth as butter one second but as rustic and robust as steel the next. This track’s story component is nothing new; the man in the story hears his ex’s guy bought her a ring, and now he feels the need to get out of his ex’s town. Though the lyrics are strong, Troy’s anthemic vocals remain the big difference-maker for this tune. With its dynamic range and electric hook, Get Out of This Town” is Cartwright’s best song yet, and his career should be something to watch.
8.6
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