DISClaimer: Morgan Evans, Cole Bradley Top New Tracks

Pictured (L-R): Cole Bradley, Morgan Evans

We have three handsome young men who are new the column this week.

Actually, almost four, since it has been five years since we’ve heard from the still promising Justin Adams. Anyhow, the three vying for the DisCovery Award are Cash Campbell, Chance McKinney and our winner, Cole Bradley.

There’s no question about who ruled the listening session. Morgan Evans continues to impress, every time I see or hear him in performance. Give this former DisCovery Award winner his first Disc of the Day award.

JUSTIN ADAMS/How It Rolls
Writers: none listed; Producer: Derek Wells; Publisher: none listed; Flycatcher (track)
– He has a pleasant, earnest tenor. The song is country-love generic. The rocking track rumbles along nicely. Easy on the ears, if not exactly life changing.

SOUTHERN HALO/I Think Too Much
Writers: Natalia Morris/Roxie Dean; Producers: Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: Southern Halo/Sweet 202, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– Jaunty, sunny and sweetly harmonized. I have liked everything I have heard by this trio. Give ‘em a shot.

CHANCE McKINNEY/Take It Back
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kevin Ray Lawson; Publisher: none listed; CM (track)
– Deeply masculine sounding. The steady rocking tempo draws you in at the same time as his throaty baritone. Hale and hearty and well worth a listen.

CHERISH LEE/Ones You Leave Behind
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CL
– The daughter of Johnny Lee and Charlene Tilton continues to make her own mark in Music City. Her new single is a trembling, shakily sung ballad about loss, addressed to her brother who died of a heroin overdose. Considering our national opioid abuse crisis, it’s quite timely.

KEITH URBAN/Never Comin’ Down
Writers: Keith Urban/Josh Kerr/James Abrahart/Shy Carter; Producer: Josh Kerr/Keith Urban; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Maroma/Songs of Black River/Whistlepig Winners/James Abrahart/Artist 101/Songs of Kobalt/You Want How Much of What/BMG Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
– This ain’t country.

HARPER GRAE/Monster
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Jennifer Hanson/Nick Brophy; Grae Area
– Fearsome memories haunt her sleeping hours in this torrid tempo tune. The video makes it explicit that the “monster” was her mother’s alcoholism.

KATHY MATTEA/St. Teresa
Writers: None listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Captain Potato
-Mattea’s forthcoming Pretty Bird comeback album is heralded by this spooky, ethereal and utterly cool cover of a Joan Osborne gem. Lotsa crunchy, acoustic textures.

CASH CAMPBELL/Cannon Ball
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CC
– Extremely well produced in a Euro-pop kinda way, but melodically repetitive and lyrically dull.

MORGAN EVANS/Young Again
Writers: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Josh Kear; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I dig this guy a lot, and he seems to be on his way. This extremely catchy, bopping anthem is another big step forward. Sing along and shout for joy. It needs to become huge.

COLE BRADLEY/Happy Hour
Writers: Cole Bradley/Sandy Chila/Michael Fitzgerald/Alex Dezen; Producer: Sandy Chila; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Kala, no performance rights listed; Kala
– Summer fun beats, cute barroom lyrics and groovy spoken passages. The drinks are on Cole Bradley.