Slow Dancing In A Burning Room – Riley Green Written By Ryan Lippe
Since the days of his debut album, Different Round Here, Riley Green has evolved from a champion “good ol boy” bro-country to a singer who plays to the strengths of his voice and develops a softer and sexier tone on his latest LP. The iconic John Mayer song highlights the husky drawl in his voice and allows his deep baritone voice to transport the listener to tranquility and peace. Covering such a classic moment in music history requires the artist to transform the work into their own, and that’s exactly what Riley Green has done by putting a sleeker spin on the song. His fast, to-the-point annunciation keeps the listener on their toes throughout the song. Produced by Erik Dylan and Green, it brings a soft fiddle to add a fun country twang. Everything about this rendition feels right in place with the current era of Riley’s career, as he can sink his teeth into the tune to make it his own. The entire track feels so effortless for Green that someone new to music could mistake it for his.
9.2
It’s The Little Things – Charles Wesley Godwin Written By Ryan Lippe
With the first single from his upcoming EP, Charles Wesley Godwin finally delivers the earworm running around TikTok since the new year. The soothing cadence of the chorus invites the listener to tap their foot and get lost in the rhythm effortlessly. Produced by Al Torrence, it has the same energy and feel as tracks like “Family Ties” and “All Again,” with a lighthearted contemporary feeling, making it certain to be an instant classic for Godwin. Although this track may not have a super intricate story, the simplicity of the lyrics is enough to paint a picture of serenity and peace for the listener. Nonetheless, his tall vowels and rich emotion will always draw in new listeners. Going into this new EP, fans are eager to hear stories that, while not directly tied to Godwin’s life, still carry the deep, family-centric themes that continuously resonate with his audience. This song may not be wildly groundbreaking, but it will hold fans over until Lonely Mountain Town’s release.
8.6
Old Dominion – Making Good Time Written By Joel Reuben Pauley
There’s something to be said for songs that transport you, and Old Dominion has plenty of them. Their nostalgic, feel-good vibe has a way of taking you back, whether it’s cruising along the Florida coast or reliving a first date. That sense of nostalgia is a constant thread in their music, and their new song makes no exception. Much like “Springsteen” by Eric Church, it recalls being seventeen and in love, asking, “When you’re drinking too much, do you think about us? Do you re-drive every mile?” With lines like “We were seventeen, we were making moves,” there’s not a ton of lyrical depth, and at times, the feeling of sentimentality seems more critical than the lyrical content. Although it’s not the most profound song in their catalog, this song evokes a universal spirit of remembrance, allowing you to drift back in time. “Making Good Time” is a poppy, upbeat production, which isn’t the most popular sound right now, but it works well for the song. A thumpy, EDM-like bass line builds up before transitioning to the chorus with a significant drum fill where the whole band kicks in. This sort of 2019 pop-country sound may be a blast from the past, but this kind of song makes you want to roll the windows down and get lost in reflection. There’s nothing wrong with pressing pause on the Tyler Childers and letting Old Dominion get their turn occasionally.
7.6
Mornin’ Montana – Redferrin Written By Adam Delahoussaye
After “Ruin My Night” and “Pourin’ In Nashville,” it’s good to see Redferrin finally getting some sunlight and stepping out into the world at a decent hour, even if the UV rays are used as a hangover remedy. The mullet-wearing maniac isn’t nearly as dour here as he was under barroom lights or rainy nights like his last two studio efforts, with birds chirping as soon as that initial chord progression kicks in here. “Mornin’ Montana” solidifies that while he’s getting pretty good at learning his geography and time zones, there’s not much coming off these bones that provide any new or exciting flavor. He mixes whiskey with his morning coffee, and boy, does he have some regrets about how things ended the night before, but does any of that matter much? If nothing else, the track is inoffensive, a light appetizer rather than a main course, providing a little bit of an expanded palette for the small-town Tennessean as he creeps into a more homogenous sound. If the eventual goal is to be a mainstay in the mainstream, fodder tracks like these are a sure way to beef up a catalog without alienating a wide-open listener base early in the game.
5.5
Need To – Gavin Adcock Written By Adam Delahoussaye
It’s a nice change of pace to see Gavin Adcock have a little weight lifted off his shoulders. The former Division 1 nose guard has a knack for making barrooms and hearts shake, seemingly always on opposite ends of the spectrum in his track choices. Usually, it’s either chair-slamming slappers or tender tear-jerkers, though “Need To” seems to have found some solace in a far more stoic sense. That light guitar paired with his hoarse falsetto is a significant shake-up that compliments his mother’s advice on the track well. Usually, when life gives Adock lemons, he crushes them with one hand. Now, he’s far more keen to drop it into water, let the juice run its course, and make do with what he has. That laid-back attitude bodes well for his progression as an artist and person. His signature twang is slowed to match the speed of a sunset on a summer day, and his personality is becoming far more varied in what feels like such a short amount of time.
7.5
All I Ever Do – Adrien Nunez Written By Creed Miller
While you may know Adrien Nunez from his TikToks screaming country songs in a car, he has a music career, as he just released his new song “Around You.” Right off the bat, this song sounds exactly like the songs in just about every YouTube vlog during COVID-19. Admittedly, the lyrics by Adrien Nunez, Cole Miracle, Sam Sumner, and Sean Spencer Small are pretty cute and can undoubtedly put a smile on the listeners’ faces. It’s all about finding that special person and loving them forever. But just because the lyrics are wholesome doesn’t mean the song isn’t outdated. There was a period when this song would’ve fit in well in a playlist with “Sunday Best” by Surfaces or “3 Nights” by Dominic Fike. Not that those are bad songs, but they definitely wouldn’t reach the same level of success now as they did at their peak. Nunez is young in his career, which was clear for “Around You.” It seems like he is still trying to find his sound, mainly because there is not much longevity with the vibe he’s currently working with. On top of all that, his vocals could use a little work, but that can come with experience. Overall, “Around You” had some positive aspects, but there is room for improvement.
4.6
I Wish You Would – Mackenzie Carpenter (feat. Midland) Written By Creed Miller
Mackenzie Carpenter is back with another glimpse of her upcoming album, joining forces with Midland. While this wasn’t the most likely duet, Midland and Carpenter have excellent chemistry, and it sounds so effortless and smooth – like they have been singing together for years, and a big reason for that is Jamie Moore’s production. Thanks to the accented steel guitar throughout the track, it turns back the clock with a strong traditional country vibe and a modern flair. Moore also wrote the song alongside Carpenter, Jonathan Hutcherson, and Chris Tompkins. Lyrically, the song tells the story of the classic bar flirt – a tale old as time in country music. However, “I Wish You Would” stands out from the pack as it isn’t just copy and paste of the other versions of this story. The production gives it a refreshing edge; the effort put into this song to make it great is undeniable. The keyboards and slick electric guitar are part of what makes it as catchy as it is. It’s only a few weeks into 2025, but “I Wish You Would” is one of the best tracks of the young year and should grab the listeners’ attention before the release of Carpenter’s album on March 7th.
9.0
How’s the Leaving Going – Kameron Marlowe Written By Will Chapman
Kameron Marlowe taps into his soulful side on his latest single, a precursor to his upcoming album, Sad Songs for the Soul. “How the Leaving’s Going”is a somber piano ballad with soft, understated instrumentation written by Marlowe, Vince Gill, and Lee Thomas Miller. The production is simple yet effective; the piano sounds like it was miked off the hammers, providing a full, soft tone, while a gentle acoustic guitar adds texture and pedal steel brings a warm ambiance. This instrumental bed gives Marlowe’s rich, soulful twang a chance to glow. Like most great country songs, the writing relies on simplicity to deliver its message. The lyrics and melody work in tandem, complementing each other beautifully. “How the Leaving’s Going” is a promising, gorgeous ballad that showcases Marlowe’s more melancholy side.
9.2
What Am I Supposed To Tell The Dog – Chris Lane Written By Will Chapman
Sonically speaking, “What Am I Supposed to Tell the Dog” marks a definitive traditional step for Chris Lane, who has been generally viewed as a one-dimensional pop country singer largely due to hits like “Big Big Plans” and the infamous “I Don’t Know About You,” also known as the “Girl, I know your favorite beer because you told me, and I bought it” song. While “What Am I Supposed To Tell The Dogs” is full of lines that will make the listener roll their eyes, the difference is that the song feels like it’s in on the joke this time. It comes from making something so intentionally ridiculous that it works. HARDY did it a few years ago with “REDNECKER,” and Brad Paisley mastered the art in the 2000s with hits like “I’m Gonna Miss Her” and “Ticks.” Now, Lane performs that same tightrope act of delivering a song so outlandish and downright silly that it’s good. The track feels like a parody a late-night TV host might have written, yet Lane’s perfectly unserious delivery sells it, making the absurdity both believable and entertaining. On this cut, Chris Lane proves that being in on the joke can be as effective as heartfelt storytelling in country music.
8.4
Anslee Davidson – Back Down to Georgia Written By Joel Reuben Pauley
If you’ve ever left home to feel yourself getting pulled right back, Anslee Davidson’s new song may sound like it’s written in your rearview mirror. “Back Down in Georgia” is one of those songs that reminds you that home is truly where the heart is. After growing up and moving away, using her “piggybank of dreams,” Davidson admits that despite living the life she has always wanted, there’s nothing quite like being home. The steel guitar and fiddle lay the groundwork for the kind of longing that the message of this song conveys. With the way she sings the chorus, the power in Anslee’s voice makes it easy to believe this is her story. This is a strong release for Davidson, providing another Georgia anthem and showing her pride for the place that made her who she is.
8.2
