MCA Nashville recording artist David Nail released a surprise five-song EP Friday (May 20) on Spotify and YouTube, titled Uncovered. The release is in advance of his newly-announced fourth studio album, Fighter, expected July 15.
The EP features four cover songs that influenced Nail personally and musically, from Elvis Presley, The Weeknd, Phil Collins and Adele (full track list below). Additionally, the surprise release includes an acoustic remake of “Looking For a Good Time,” originally from Nail’s debut album.
The radio single from the forthcoming full-length project, “Night’s on Fire,” was penned by Jonathan Singleton and Deric Ruttan. The single continues to climb the Billboard country airplay chart. Track listing, pre-order information and album artwork from that full-length project are still forthcoming.
“As I looked ahead to begin the process of recording my fourth studio album for MCA Nashville, I looked back at everything I have been through as an artist, as a man, as a husband and now as a new Dad,” said Nail.
“I realized that music is one thing I lean on consistently to get me through or remind me how lucky I am to be doing what I love,” he added. “I am really blessed to be at this place in life with my wife and now our two children and the one consistent thread through it ALL has been music. Music has been so important in my walk to ‘here.’ I am really excited to be able to share some of the music, outside of my own, that has meant something to me.”
He continued, ‘Some of these songs have been with me for years and some obviously are brand new discoveries that have had an impact on me for various reasons. This is just a small taste of some of the music that has challenged me, music that I enjoy performing, listening to, or that I have related to in some capacity along the way in my journey to Fighter.”
Nail has dates booked on the road through October on his official website.
Uncovered Track Listing:
1) Elvis Presley, “In the Ghetto” – “’In The Ghetto’ is the song that kind of began the conversation of starting this project. It was the first cover song that I really tried to make my own. I have never liked listening to myself sing, but I’ve enjoyed this one. It gives me chills.”
2) The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face” – “We had to do something off the wall for this project, thus our attempt at this huge pop hit. It was the most fun we had recording, and certainly the most laid-back of any of the Uncovered songs.”
3) Phil Collins, “In The Air Tonight” – “I’ve heard rumors over the years at the story behind ‘In the Air Tonight,’ and it’s a song that has stood the test of time for sure. It was probably the most difficult song from a performance standpoint. We really wanted the lyric to stand out, and for the story to be our number one priority. It’s a very haunting track.”
4) Adele, “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” – “I believe Adele is the finest vocalist I’ve ever heard, which makes any cover extremely difficult. The first listen to this song when the album was released blew me away, and when it came time to begin this Uncovered series, it was my definite first choice.”
5) “Looking For A Good Time” (acoustic remake)– “A member of my team found this song for the first record, and it’s been one of my favorites I’ve ever recorded. When we opened for Lady Antebellum on their first headlining tour, we started a show with a version very similar to this one. It’s a fantastic lyric, and I believe the broken down/slower version really puts you inside the story.”
MusicRow sends its condolences to the Schmidt family. Savannah Schmidt, 21, daughter of Joey and Jessie Schmidt and sister of Olivia Schmidt, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Thursday, May 19.
