Change My Mind – Riley Green Written By Adam Delahoussaye
In some ways, Riley Green’s newest single is a return to form. Ahead of his upcoming LP “Don’t Mind If I Do,” we’ve mostly gotten glimpses of how well Green can play off his co-stars amidst the rise of new collaborator Ella Langley. Here, however, we’re greeted again by the man himself as his vocals exude more confidence and arrangements are far more optimistic on “Change My Mind.” It’s a song that, in substance, speaks to the Green we’ve grown fond of over the last decade. Knowing that the good ole days are behind you, yet never saying when they appear back on your front doorstep. Still, its delivery is where things get a little shaky. Green, alongside co-writers Randy Montana and Erik Dylan, has crafted a hit, no doubt, though it’s questionable whether this inevitable plaque on the wall is best fitted in the home of our Alabama native. The song reads much more pop-centric than most of his catalog, offering a flavor that doesn’t seem to speak to Green’s acquired taste. October 18th will hopefully clarify whether “Change My Mind” is more of a detour or a new course entirely.
7.1
When I Ain’t Lookin’ Tucker Wetmore Written By Max Buondonno
Sitting at track six on his debut EP Waves on a Sunset, Tucker Wetmore’s “When I Ain’t Lookin” offers the same soapy charm the country newcomer has become famous for. Written by Austin Goodloe, Michael Tyler, Thomas Archer, and Tucker Beathard, the song reflects on the positive moments throughout your life that arrive when you aren’t paying attention; in this case, it’s a love interest after a night trying to catch a buzz at a local bar. The song’s premise is endearing and plays well to Wetmore’s charm and charisma, but it fails to stand out on its own. It uses generic, soft-pop ballad production that could serve as the backdrop to any modern Nashville Machine single, and the lyrics’ clear attempt to be clever often comes off as clunky and easy to forget. The hook will probably get stuck in your head for a while, but not long enough to make you want to listen to the song repeatedly. “When I Ain’t Lookin'” is a decent enough song to throw on a larger project, but since it’s on an EP, it fills a gap on the tracklist that wasn’t there to begin with.
6.7
weren’t for the wind – Ella Langley Written By Max Buondonno
The first of four new tracks on still hungover sees Ella Langley lean full-throttle into a breezy, neo-traditional aesthetic that feels refreshing compared to other songs on the project. The track’s nostalgic acoustic production creates a gentle atmosphere, highlighted by echoing steel guitar that interlaces the perfect old-school charm. Contemplating what leads her to walk away from relationships, Langley delivers a solid vocal performance and matches the soul of the instrumentals well. Written by Langley, Johnny Clawson, and Joybeth Taylor, the song is easy to hum along to and feels like a solid addition to your road trip playlist. Langley doesn’t try anything daring or vastly different from the rest of her album. Still, the song’s less-polished production and swaying energy give it enough of an edge to where you’d expect it on the original cut of hungover, not on a deluxe version a few months later. While the song won’t have a commercial appeal like songs such as “You Look Like You Love Me” and “Paint the Town Blue,” “weren’t for the wind” could become a hidden gem over time
8.0
Nostalgia – Conner Smith Written By Max Buondonno
Lately, Conner Smith has been experimenting with different production styles following the release of his debut album Smokey Mountains in January, and it’s led to some excellent releases. Following his live Smokey Mountain Sessions project, Smith has returned with a new EP titled The Storyteller, where “Nostalgia” sits at track #2. The song swaps clean instrumentals for dustier ones as Smith unravels the memories of a previous love, realizing throughout three and a half minutes that while he thought he’d have her forever, now all she is is a nostalgic tale. Written by Smith and Dwight Baker, “Nostalgia” is a highlight not just on The Storyteller but in Smith’s discography. Between the vivid verses, solid vocal performance, and heartland essence of the instrumentals, the track is a gem in that it gets you reminiscing about your own experiences while Smith sings about his. If The Storyteller EP indicates where Conner is going creatively, some of his best work might not be far away.
8.5
Break It Right Back – Megan Moroney Written By Creed Miller
With the first song of her new deluxe album, Megan Moroney is back with the most Megan Moroney song to date. “Break It Right Back” is yet another breakup anthem that her “emo-cowgirls” will love. Penned by Moroney, Ben Williams, David Mescon, and Rob Hatch, the song is yet another situation where she thought she found the one until the rug was pulled out from under her, and is subsequently heartbroken. While Meg’s music has become rather predictable, she still manages to keep it fresh, and a big reason for that is her producer, Kristian Bush. The track carries a lot of similarities to “Indifferent” thanks to the power of the electric guitars, but through the verses, the piano gives it its sound. The steel guitar also accents the other instruments and Moroney’s vocals beautifully. She keeps telling the same story, but she’s mastered the art of creating a perfect ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” scenario. The Georgia native has had a knack of finding to a formula that works and sticking to it, and “Break It Right Back” is further proof of that.
7.9
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