DISClaimer: Eli Young Band’s “Break It In” Tops New Releases

Country music is back.

Luke Combs is the hottest guy in town, which tickles me no end. This week, he is joined by knockout performances from Jon Pardi, Chris Young and Cody Johnson, all of whom are wonderfully country, country and country.

The Disc of the Day belongs to the Eli Young Band. But there are plenty of other fine listening experiences in this stack of sounds.

Not the least of these is “On Paper” by newcomer Faren Rachels. I was first exposed to her during the CMA Music Fest and loved her live act. The single, which has been out for several months, demonstrates that she is just as potent in the recording studio. Give the lady a DisCovery Award.

By the way, Luke Combs took her on tour with him this year.

KASSI ASHTON/Field Party
Writers: none listed; Producer: Luke Laird; Publisher: none listed; UMG
– Please explain to me in what way this is a country-music performance/artist/song.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/It All Comes Out In The Wash
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Liz Rose/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Her personality comes through wonderfully, although you’ll wear yourself out trying to find a melody.

TREA LANDON/Get The Girl
Writers: Justin Wilson/Paul Jenkins/Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Music
– Very romantic. He has a warm, winning singing voice, and the song is loaded with nifty lyric details. I think I hear stardom.

KENNY CHESNEY/Tip of My Tongue
Writers: Kenny Chesney/Ross Copperman/Ed Sheeran; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
-Like swinging in a hammock in the summer sun.

JON PARDI/Me and Jack
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– This bops and rocks with plenty of drawling wit. You’ll tap yer toes and smile, I guarantee. Love the stuttering guitar as well as the boozer-loser lyric.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Something People Say
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– This lady continues to impress with every note she sings. This is an acoustic ballad with simple piano accompaniment, but it is written and performed so beautifully that it seems practically symphonic. Love this. Love her.

CHRIS YOUNG & LAUREN ALAINA/Town Ain’t Big Enough
Writers: Chris Young/Cary Barlowe/Corey Crowder/Shay Mooney; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Soaring and stirring and sensational. Chris totally rules as a country vocal stylist, and the rhythmic undertow is inescapable. So nice I played it twice.

CODY JOHNSON/Nothin’ On You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Music
– It’s a hold-her-tight slow dance with the lights down low. Plus, she’s nekkid.

FAREN RACHELS/On Paper
Writers: none listed; Producers: Aaron Goodvin/Sammy Mitchell; Publishers: none listed; FR
– Wow. She sings with immense authority, and the song packs a wallop. “He don’t look good on paper/But he looks good on me.” Somebody make this gal a star.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Break It In
Writers: Benji Davis/Brandon Day/Daniel Ross/Michael Whitworth; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; Valory
– Very, very cool. Your truck, your guitar, your blue jeans, your boots, your baseball glove all seem just great when they are new. Then you break ‘em in, and they are even better. Your heart’s like that, too. Churning and burning and brilliant. I believe I just heard a fifth No. 1 record for these talented fellows.