Week of 08/28/2023
Fool Me Again – Tim McGraw Written By Brandon Iozzo
A standout track off of his monumental sixteenth studio album, Tim McGraw’s version of ‘Fool Me Again’ takes listeners back to his emotional and thought-provoking catalog of the early 2000s. Originally written and recorded by Kameron Marlowe for his 2022 debut album, the track speaks on falling into the same troubled pattern with an old lover over and over again knowing how things will turn out in the end. Produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore, the mid-tempo song feels tailor-made for Tim McGraw, from the pedal steel to the electric guitar. With a slew of overtly positive tracks on “Standing Room Only,” ‘Fool Me Again’ enhances McGraw’s musical comeback with some lyrical spice, while bolstering the incredible continuity of his catalog over 30 years into his career.
9.4
This Side of the Dirt – Neon Union Written By Brandon Iozzo
Reminding us to live life in the present and focus on the little moments that matter, Neon Union’s ‘This Side of the Dirt’ sees the duo revving up their Chevys with their girls, blasting the radio, and watching the sun go down on a perfect day. Produced by Dann Huff, the track certainly has that boisterous, bro-country sound very much akin to the Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown songs that Dann has worked on in the past. Aside from the generic references to girls, High Life shirts, and .33s mentioned, this catchy, up-tempo track is appropriately uplifting and certainly has the juice to get the tailgate party started.
7.0
Spotless – Zach Bryan feat. The Lumineers Written By Creed Miller
Zach Bryan teams up with The Lumineers, who he has admired from a young age, to put together an absolute standout track in ‘Spotless’ for his new self-titled album. Written and produced by Zach himself, this song is raw and rough around the edges like his ‘DeAnn’ and ‘Elisabeth’ records’ with the rhythmic gravitas of a full band. Collabing with a band who inspired his artistry since the beginning, he shows a commendable degree of poise. Everything about this song is so smooth, but you can hear the delicate emotion in both artists’ voices that makes you feel like you are right there with them. This is not only one of the best tracks off the album, but one of the best we’ve seen from Zach in general.
9.8
Oughta See You (The Way I Do) – Flatland Cavalry Written By Creed Miller
Flatland Cavalry is back with their second single of the summer. Written by Cleto Cordero and Will Hoge, the feel-good love song is about seeing the best in your lover’s quirks and imperfections. Sonically, the song strays a little bit from what we’re accustomed to hearing from the band with a bigger, more produced sound. Still, it fits the classic Flatland Cavalry style that can get you up and dancing. The one knock is as fun as this song is, its cheese is undeniable. It sounds like it could be a song featured in a commercial or even in an episode of Phineas and Ferb. In spite of that, Flatland Cavalry has kept their momentum strong in 2023 with the promise of a new LP on the horizon.
8.5
Lucille – Turnpike Troubadours Written By Ryan Lippe
Whenever Evan Felker writes a song, it’s a safe guess that it’ll be build around a strong narrative, which luckily is the case for this track. ‘Lucille’ is about a mentally strenuous relationship and a weary, lovesick narrator. One of the more mellow songs on the album, the production is a little sleepy, but the band’s harmonic chemistry and ever-impressive talents as instrumentalists keep this storyline alive from start to finish. While the production for this record is easy to listen to, it’s frustratingly dull overall compared to the clever riffs and other dynamic instrumental moments that made Turnpike so much fun in records past.
7.3
Mr. Myers – Evan Honer Written By Ryan Lippe
Continuing to fuel his viral success of late, Evan Honer works to develop a style all his own around his following the success of his ‘Jersey Giant’ cover and debut album ‘West on I-10.’ Leaning into his indie-folk side and away from a traditional country sound, Honer’s ability to create abstractly cohesive stories with his writing is what keeps setting him apart from the sea of other internet performers out there. A subject matter as heavy as death can be difficult to write about, but here, Honer is able to craft a story that many can relate to. He works with Stephen Myers on the production to still keep it real, though with more whimsy that you may be used to in a song this heavy. To hear Honer sit in his lower register and sing on the softer side is refreshing as he displays a wider range than we’re used to seeing from him.
9.3
Roman Candle – Morgan Wade Written By Cam Green
On ‘Roman Candle,’ Morgan Wade delivers a pop-leaning track that shows a bit of this rugged artist’s softer side. The Virginia native has a lot of songs about failed relationships, depravity, and loneliness, but hearing one about pure, blissful love is always awesome. At certain points in this song, she sounds strikingly similar to The Dixie Chicks, and ‘Roman Candle’ feels like a song that may have been produced in the early 2000s. The rolling, pop-rock sound is some of the best stuff we’ve heard from Wade on the musical side. The only criticism of this song would be its repetitive hook, but as good as Morgan Wade’s voice is, this is still a solid track overall.
8.6
Million Reasons – Aaron Watson feat. Morgan Myles Written By Christina Bosch
An icon in the Texas country music scene for over two decades, Aaron Watson has always found his niche in playing the underdog artist and songwriter. Adding to his catalog of hits, Watson decided to take a leap on a passion project that found him examining and introducing his 13 year old daughter to iconic songs that she may not know. His take on Lady Gaga’s ballad “Million Reasons” does exactly what a cover should do: it honors the original while adding a country element that shakes it up and gives the listener a reason to listen again. Choosing to cover a pop song, let alone a Gaga song, was bold, but when you consider that all-star country songwriter Hilary Lindsey was a writer on the original, this song as a twangy power-ballad just makes sense.
8.0
