DISClaimer Single Reviews: Hannah Dasher Creates A ‘Fabulous Sonic Slab’

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Hannah Dasher. Photo: Jeremy Ryan

Is it just me, or is there more new blood in country music than ever these days?

Vying for our attention this week are such up-and-comers as Ashley Cooke, Warren Zeiders, Nate Smith, War Hippies, Hannah Dasher, Dylan Marlowe and Elvie Shane. The Disc of the Day contenders are Cooke, Shane, Chase Rice, Lukas Nelson & Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt and our winner, Hannah Dasher.

We have no actual newcomers today, but I would like to point out the presence of at least three previous DisCovery Award winners—Nate Smith, War Hippies and Hannah Dasher.

CHASE RICE / “Bad Day to Be a Cold Beer”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase Rice/John Byron/Justin Thomas; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: BBR
– Announcing THE drinking song of 2023. This rollicking romper is a working man’s anthem, a party-hearty banger and a kick-butt production all wrapped up in hillbilly delight. Turn it up.

NATE SMITH / “World On Fire”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Lindsay Rimes/Nate Smith/Taylor Phillips; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Arista Nashville
– The metaphor doesn’t really work for me, but even if the lyrics are nonsense, this is a spectacularly charismatic vocal performance. The track is molten-rock hot.

HANNAH DASHER / “(I’m the One That Taught Him) That Thing You Like”
Writers: Hannah Dasher/Brandon Hood/Wynn Varble; Producers: none listed; Label: HD
– Witty, bluesy and twanging. She takes the new girlfriend aside to let her know just how intimately she knows the boy on this unreleased track. A fabulous sonic slab. I remain a massive fan.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Dirt Road When I Die”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Joe Fox; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Downbeat, borderline depressing and a little confusing. Okay, after we take you down that dirt road, what do you want us to do with your body? Bury it? Burn it? Leave it out in the sun in the back of that pickup truck?

ASHLEY COOKE / “Your Place”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Jordan Minton/Mark Trussell; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music
– This lady sure can write ‘em and sing ‘em. This track from her forthcoming (July 21) debut album sets some definite boundaries for her ex. Her current situation is none of his damn bizness. This is an artist you need to be listening to.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Pretty Little Poison”
Writers: Ryan Beaver/Jared Keim/Warren Zeiders; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Warner Records
– This is his upcoming album’s title tune and lead single. He sings it with passion, but the track drags and the song’s tone is unrelentingly monochromatic.

LUKAS NELSON & POTR WITH LAINEY WILSON / “More Than Friends”
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producers: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real; Label: 6 Ace Records
– His Sticks and Stones album drops tomorrow and the record-release party is tonight at The Nashville Palace. This track from it is a boatload of pleasure—two great voices, one funky country band and a hearty, good-time song. What’s not to love? Lukas gets better and better with each release, and Lainey blends with him perfectly as the icing on this cake. A breezy summer outing.

DIAMOND RIO / “The Kick”
Writers: Carson McKee/Dana Williams/Daniel Thomas Truman/James W. Olander/Marty Roe/Micah Schweinsberg; Producer: James W. Olander; Label: Rio Hot Records
– An instrumental! This is a country category that seems to have died years ago, but leave it to Diamond Rio to revive it with this sizzling jam. Drummer Brian Prout and multi-instrumentalist Gene Johnson have retired after 33 years in the band. Their replacements, Micah Schweinsberg and Carson McKee, more than keep pace with group mainstays Dan Truman (keyboards), Jimmy Olander (lead guitar), Dana Williams (bass) and Marty Roe (rhythm guitar) on this lively outing. A welcome return.

GIRLS NEXT DOOR / “What’s This Thing You’ve Got About Leaving”
Writers: TW Hale/Roger Murrah; Producers: TW Hale/Tom Harding; Label: Girls Next Door Music
– After an absence of 30+ years, Cindy Nixon Psanos, Diane Williams Austin, Tammy Stephens Smith and Doris King Merritt have reunited as the Girls Next Door. The quartet initially made some noise with a flurry of singles on MTM Records in the late ‘80s. The group’s comeback single is a lively, bopping, good-vibes ditty that vividly shows that their creamy harmony blend is as flawless as ever. Nicely done, all around.

SAM HUNT / “Outskirts”
Writers: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Jerry Flowers/Josh Osborne; Producers: Chris LaCorte/Shane McAnally/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
– Regret, nostalgia, reflection and mourning for the love he threw away. Singing with the throttle wide open, Hunt has seldom sounded better. The song displays very classy craftsmanship. Totally a winner.

WAR HIPPIES / “The Hangman”
Writers: Donald E. Reis III/Scoot Edward Brown; Producer: Donnie Reis; Label: War Hippies
– This is a duo of military combat vets. The song is a haunting western-outlaw ballad about two lovers who are strung up, side-by-side. Complete with gunshot and galloping-horse sound effects. Imaginative, indeed.

ELVIE SHANE / “Baptized”
Writers: Elvie Shane/Dan Couch/Luke Preston/Oscar Charles; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– Simmering with gospel passion, this ode to a deep and sensuous love is downright riveting. Shane is one of our most talented and distinctive newcomers. Lend the “My Boy” singer your ears once again.

Robert K Oermann
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