DISClaimer Single Reviews: Megan Moroney Tries To Move On In New Single

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Megan Moroney. Photo: David McClister

Is country music making a comeback in ’24?

After years of rock-em, sock-em pop Nashville sounds being marketed as “country,” we suddenly have a host of new tunes that are more like the meat-and-potatoes nourishment that made us fall in love with the genre in the first place. To wit, I refer to the new tracks by Catie Offerman, the Bellamys with Gene Watson, Scotty McCreery, Ashley Cooke, Kenny Chesney, and our outstanding DISCovery Award winner, Zach Top.

The Disc of the Day goes to country’s new “it” girl Megan Moroney.

ASHLEY COOKE/ “Your Place”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Jordan Minton/Mark Trussell; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Big Loud
– While guitars plink, echo and twinkle around her, she tells him that she’s utterly over him. A country feel-good, kiss-off tune with a built-in ache.

KENNY CHESNEY/ “Take Her Home”
Writers: Zach Abend/Michael Hardy/Hunter Phelps; Producers: Kenny Chesney/Buddy Cannon; Label: Warner/Blue Chair
– A gentle anthem in praise of enduring romance. Fall dizzy in love, move in together, build a life, make memories.

CATIE OFFERMAN/ “Sound of Missing You”
Writers: Catie Offerman/Justin Ebach/Josh Thompson; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: MCA Nashville
– Excellent work. The verses in her alto range draw you in with their intimacy, and then she swings into the hooks-a-plenty choruses and captivates you completely. Honky-tonk heartache at its very best. This is going on repeat for sure.

MEGAN MORONEY/ “No Caller ID”
Writers: Megan Moroney/Jessi Alexander/Connie Harrington/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Kristen Bush; Label: Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records
– This is so well written. She’s trying to move on, but he worms his way back in by ringing her up drunk at 3 a.m. with no caller ID. Does she pick up the phone? Unfortunately, yes. A short story in song with a creative approach that you have to admire. This lady is very special.

JOSH ROSS/ “Single Again”
Writers: Brad Rempel/Joe Fox/Josh Ross; Producer: Matt Geroux; Label: Mercury
– A steady bass thump and some electronic wooshing percolate as he launches into an addictive tempo tune. “I got a king-sized bed just missing a queen,” he sings, if she’d only join him when she gets over that other guy. He’s been awarded a Breakthrough Artist award by the Canadian Country Music Association, and I can hear why.

SCOTTY McCREERY/ “Can’t Pass The Bar”
Writers: Scotty McCreery/Brent Anderson/Cale Dodds/Frank Rogers; Producers: Frank Rogers/Derek Wells/Aaron Eshuis; Label: Triple Tigers
– In this rocker, the blue-collar boys have had a hard week, so they’re cashing their paychecks at the neighborhood honky-tonk. A TGIF romp.

BRITTI/ “Lullaby”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Brittany Guerin/Roger Cook; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– Softly hypnotic, echoey-mysterious and thoroughly haunting, this slow ballad is essential listening. Get lost in its gorgeous production by Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach.

ZACH TOP/ “Bad Luck”
Writers: Carson Chamberlain/Mark Nesler/Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: Leo33
– Let Mr. Top take you by the hand and lead you into the classic-country world of Keith Whitley and Randy Travis. It’s a beautiful place to be. This kid has it all  going on—good looks, a toe-tapping tune, an enthusiastic online fan base and an absolutely stunning country voice. I fervently hope that stardom awaits. Also check out his ultra romantic “There’s the Sun.”

THE BELLAMY BROTHERS & GENE WATSON/ “Forever Ain’t Long Enough”
Writer: David Bellamy; Producers: The Bellamy Brothers/Randy Hiebert; Label: Bellamy/Fourteen Carat
– Sublimely country. The steel-soaked ballad finds Watson in superb voice with the layered harmonies by the the brothers adding luscious textures to the performance. Swooningly listenable. Produced with deep (too deep?) echo, the love song’s release will be timed for Valentine’s Day, and the collaborators are booked to introduce it on the Opry on Feb. 13.

GEORGIA WEBSTER/ “Attention”
Writers: Laura Veltz/Emily Weisband/Sam Ellis; Producer: King Henry; Label: Sony
– There’s definitely talent at work here, but there’s something faintly masochistic about the extreme scenarios she thinks up to get his attention.

JAKE KOHN/ “Hard As Stone”
Writer: Jake Kohn; Producer: Eddie Spear; Label: Lockeland Springs/Atlantic
– His raspy, weathered, aged-sounding voice is startling, especially since he’s only 16. The production lets him down by burying the lyrics beneath a busy instrumental mix.

LUKE DICK/ “Shirt Off My Back”
Writers: Luke Dick/Chris DuBois; Producers: Luke Dick/Jason Lehning; Label: Virgin
– I have admired his songwriting for some time, due to cuts by Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore and more. This choppy thumper seems to be something of an autobiography, and he delivers it with moxie. Just as impressive is the fact that he plays almost everything on the track.

Robert K Oermann
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