DISClaimer: Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark, Jessi Alexander, Drew Fish Top New Releases

Ashley McBryde. Photo: Daniel Meigs

This day belongs to country’s new breed.

Jordan Davis, Brandon Lay, Logan Mize and Filmore are all here with new sounds. I have expressed my affection for all of them in the past, and I am happy to report that they are starting the new year off with audio excellence.

Three of my favorite new female artists are with us today as well. Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark and Disc of the Day winner Jessi Alexander all belong on your playlists. Do this now.

Texan Drew Fish wins this week’s DisCovery Award.

BRANDON LAY/For My Money
Writers: Brandon Lay/Andrew DeRoberts; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; EMI
– Pretty funky. Pretty groovy. Pretty infectious. Pretty dang good. He’s fakin’ it ‘til he makes it, because she thinks he’s got money that he ain’t.

ASHLEY McBRYDE/Martha Divine
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Jeremy Spillman; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This dark ditty rocks. She’s out for revenge against Miss Martha because that Jezebel is Daddy’s lover. It’s been awhile since we had a good murder lyric in country music, hasn’t it? Not to mention a solid story song.

JORDAN DAVIS/Heads Carolina, Tails California
Writers: Mark D. Sanders/Tim Nichols; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Amazon/MCA
– Jordan takes the Jo Dee Messina oldie at a slower, bluesier pace. It has a rump-shaking, head bobbing vibe. Which is mighty attractive and also shines a light on how well written the song is. I could definitely get used to this addictive groove.

LOGAN MIZE/I Ain’t Gotta Grow Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Yellow Dog
– I dig this guy. Everything he does is just so listenable….. and so country. This is a party bopper with an itchy beat, a jaunty vocal and a smiling attitude. In other words, a hit. There’s an equally delightful version with country up-and-comer Willie Jones.

BRANDY CLARK/Who You Thought I Was
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce: Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This woman is just awesome, that’s all. Her liquid vocal, her lovely melody, her pristinely constructed song and her overall artistry are all perfectly in place here. She is a country queen if I have ever heard one in my life.

DREW FISH & PAM TILLIS/Every Damn Time
Writers: Drew Fish/Roger Brown/Chris Colston; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; DF
– Tennessee meets Texas on this shiny, shimmery, romantic waltz. It’s on Lone Star State traditionalist Drew’s CD Wishful Drinkin.’

FILMORE/State I’m In
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– He can’t outrun her memory, but at least he’s rocking out. I particularly like the way the drums are miked in this fresh sounding track. Filmore’s tenor vocal is also well recorded. Who produced this?

JESSI ALEXANDER/Mama Drank
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall; Producers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall Stewart/Leslie Richter; Publisher: none listed; JA
– This is the “workin’ mom blues,” complete with a solid backbeat, a hillbilly soul-sister vocal, lotsa guitar twang and a minor key moan or two. I have always been a super fan of this woman. But this something else from this brilliant creator, a stone masterpiece.

CODY PURVIS/Drinkin’ Terms
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CP
– Well, it’s a novel idea for a song. An ex tries to contact him, but he tells her, “We ain’t on drinkin’ terms.” In other words, it’s over, babe.

A THOUSAND HORSES/Drinking Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Low Country
-Sounds like an anthem to me. The combination here is a solidly country song with searing electric guitar work.